Mock draft season is upon us and that means our mock draft roundup is back!
What we do every week is track the mainstream outlets mock drafts and aggregate how many times a player gets selected. Last season, we tallied up 545 mock drafts and that included a whopping 54 different players. With the Minnesota Vikings set to pick 11th overall, there will be a lot of discussions surrounding the quarterbacks in this draft along with trading up.
We will track them and try to determine trends and patterns, along with giving my own analysis on how they could fit with the Vikings.
Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton
Who:
The 33rd Team’s Connor Livesay
Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey
The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez
One of the better pairings this year is getting Jer’Zhan Newton with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Newton is undersized, but his ability to get after quarterbacks and live in opponents’ backfields would be a match made in heaven for Flores and the Vikings. Minnesota moves its personnel around a ton to find advantageous matchups.-Livesay
UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
Who:
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards
Bleacher Report’s Paul Kasabian
Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon
Pro Football Network’s A.J. Schulte
Marcus Davenport and Danielle Hunter are both free agents at season’s end. If Minnesota does not retain both, then they may need Laiatu Latu to provide some immediate pass-rush production.-Edwards
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Who:
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso
Pro Football Network’s Joe Broback
The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer
Because he’s older and not crazy athletic, Penix isn’t your classic top-half-of-the-first-round quarterback prospect. However, he is as surgical as they come on downfield throws and could be inserted into Kevin O’Connell’s offense and thrive immediately with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Co.-Trapasso
Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
Who:
The Draft Network’s Damian Parson
Patriots Wire’s Jordy McElroy
Three of the Vikings’ edge defenders are heading into free agency, including Danielle Hunter. Jared Verse would provide an outstanding replacement or partner if Hunter is re-signed. Verse’s first step and speed-to-power conversion make him a candidate for the EDGE1 crown of this draft class.-Parson
Clemson CB Nate Wiggins
Who:
Pro Football Network’s Wil Helms
Nate Wiggins is one of the more physical corners in this draft class, something the Vikings covet in their defensive backs. Wiggins has a high motor, forcing multiple key fumbles late in plays this season, and should immediately upgrade Minnesota’s secondary.-Helms
Oregon QB Bo Nix
Who:
Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema
Five quarterbacks in the top 12 would make for a wild opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft, but until these teams actually fill their needs at the position, dipping into this very talented 2024 signal-caller class again feels plausible. If you’ve seen what Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has done with his quarterbacks this year, you have to be somewhat excited about what he could do with Nix’s experience, high football IQ and dual-threat ability.-Sikkema
Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Overview
| EDGE Laiatu Latu | 4 |
| QB Michael Penix Jr. | 3 |
| DT Jer’Zhan Newton | 3 |
| EDGE Jared Verse | 2 |
| CB Nate Wiggins | 1 |
| QB Bo Nix | 1 |
| EDGE Dallas Turner | 1 |
| CB Kool-Aid McKinstry | 1 |
The first week brought us 16 mock drafts and more are expected to come in next week with the regular season now over. A nice variety here with 12 defenders and four quarterbacks. The Vikings will pick 11th in the 2024 NFL draft and they might have to trade up to get that guy.
