The Minnesota Vikings currently have two first-round picks in the NFL Draft. The conventional wisdom is that they will use both picks and more to trade up and select one of the marquee quarterbacks early in the proceedings. Think Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy.
Between now and the beginning of the draft tomorrow, I will run a series of mock drafts with different scenarios to show the variety of outcomes that their choices may produce. If you don’t like the current mock draft you are viewing, stick around. There will eventually be one that is more agreeable to you.
My opening scenario involves the Vikings executing a series of trade-downs to maximize the number of quality prospects they can select in the draft. I’ll be honest: It’s my favorite scenario to run.
Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks by Round 2024
- Round 1, Pick 11
- Round 1, Pick 23 (from HOU)
- Round 4, Pick 108
- Round 4, Pick 129 (from DET)
- Round 5, Pick 157 (from CLE)
- Round 5, Pick 167 (from KC)
- Round 6, Pick 177 (from JAX)
- Round 7, Pick 230 (from ATL)
- Round 7, Pick 232 (from HOU)
Vikings Mock Draft
Before the draft begins a league official announces the details of the following trade. The Minnesota Vikings have traded the 11th pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In return, Minnesota will receive Jacksonville’s 17th and 48th picks in the 2024 NFL draft and also the Jaguars’ fifth-round selection in the 2025 draft. But sit tight, there’s more.
Minnesota then trades its 17th and 232nd picks to the Washington Commanders. In return, it will receive the Commanders’ 36th and 40th picks in the 2025 NFL draft. It’s not done yet.
Next, the Vikings trade the 36th pick to the Tennessee Titans. In return, Minnesota will receive the Titans’ 38th pick in the 2023 NFL draft and also the Titans’ second-round selection in the 2025 draft. Wait.
Minnesota then trades their 23rd and 230th picks to the San Francisco 49ers. In return, the Vikings will receive the 49ers’ 31st and 63rd picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Hang on. I’m getting to it.
First Round
The Minnesota Vikings then traded the 31st and 108th picks to the New England Patriots. In return, Minnesota receives the Patriots’ 34th and 68th draft picks. Not quite yet.
And the Vikings trade the 34th and 129th picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh sends the 51st and 84th picks to Minnesota in return.
Finally, the Vikings Draft a Player
With the 38th pick in the draft, the Vikings selected quarterback Bo Nix out of the University of Oregon. Their quarterback of the future has arrived in the person of the big, mature Ducks’ QB. With the signing of San Darnold, they hope to give Nix the time he needs to mature and develop as a player.
Second and Third Rounds
Trader Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gambles again and sends Minnesota’s 40th pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the Raiders’ 44th and 122nd picks.
With their 44th selection, Minnesota picks cornerback Max Melton from Rutgers University. Their cornerback room was in shambles last season, and this aggressive cover corner should be a big part of the rejuvenation of this unit.
Next, the Vikings chose guard Cooper Beebe from Kansas State with the 48th pick. With Dalton Risner’s departure at left guard, the team needs a powerful force in the middle of the offensive line, and this Wildcat strongman should fit the bill.
Two More Trades
Once again, Minnesota traded back to accumulate more picks. The Vikings trade their 51st pick to the Buffalo Bills for picks 60 & 128. Immediately after this trade, their 60th pick gets sent to the Detroit Lions for picks 61 and 205.
With the 61st selection in the draft, the Vikings take Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley to add depth to their receiving corps. Minnesota acquired this punishing and physical receiver to make up for the loss of K.J. Osborn and to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
With the 63rd pick in the draft, Minnesota selects Michael Hall Jr. from (The) Ohio State University. The Vikings are a good run-stopping team, but they have lacked any significant quarterback pressure from their interior lineman. Hall uses deft technique and nimble moves to intimidate quarterbacks.
Fourth and Fifth Rounds
The Vikings selected safety Beau Brade from Maryland with the 68th pick in the draft. The Vikings like to deploy three safety defenses, and Harrison Smith is nearing retirement. The ball-hawking Brade should be a nice fit with Brian Flores’ defense.
Looking to add depth to its inside linebacking core, Minnesota used its 84th pick to select Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the tackling machine from Clemson.
The Vikings selected another cornerback with the 112th pick in the draft. This time their choice is Andru Phillips from the University of Kentucky. This ball-hawking phenom has seen his draft stock rise due to a sensational performance at the Senior Bowl.
People tend to overlook Minnesota’s deficiencies at center. Garrett Bradbury is a very proficient run blocker but lacks the strength to be an effective pass protector. Enter their last fourth-round pick, center Beaux Limmer, out of Arkansas University. This razorback would flourish in the team’s zone-blocking scheme.
Sixth and Seventh Rounds
With their last four picks in the draft, the Vikings chose developmental players with healthy upsides. These include Jonah Elliss, an edge out of Utah, and Louisville running back Issac Guerendo. Rounding out their draft board were defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson who hails from LSU, and hometown hero Brevyn Spann-Ford, a tight end out of the University of Minnesota.
How did the Vikings fare in my mock draft? Well, they ended up with seven picks within the first 100 players chosen. That is not too bad for a team that entered the draft with only two picks in the first three rounds.
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Greg Simbeck covers a variety of topics for Total Apex Sports. Greg has covered sports, public affairs, and entertainment for numerous publications over the years.
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