The Minnesota Vikings are in a very unique and fun position heading into the 2024 NFL draft. They don’t just need a quarterback of the future, but the defense needs more talent to keep up their growth under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Here at Vikings Wire, we have done multiple seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings taking a look at different scenarios. Teams will do the same thing leading up to April’s annual selection meeting. We also will take a look at how others in the industry view the Vikings in how they will approach the NFL draft.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote up a seven-round mock draft released on Tuesday. Let’s take a look at what he has the Vikings doing.
11. Texas DT Byron Murphy II
Murphy’s name surfaced frequently during conversations about potential draftees of interest for the Vikings at the Senior Bowl. This shouldn’t be surprising. The 21-year-old Texas product fits the profile of a Brian Flores-coordinated defensive unit in that he is massive (6-foot-1, 308 pounds) but mobile. In college, that size did not prevent him from punishing interior offensive linemen and monstering his way toward quarterbacks in the backfield.
This pick is interesting. I don’t view Murphy as highly as where Lewis has him going but he does mention that Dane Brugler believes he will go in the middle of the first round and I understand why. His explosive get off on the football and pass-rush acumen is really appealing for what Flores wants to do.
30. Oregon QB Bo Nix
Tyler’s Scouting Report
How did the Vikings get to No. 30? The Baltimore Ravens have the 30th pick, and they tend to be willing to trade down. Baltimore would also be familiar with this strategy. In 2019, the Ravens traded into the first round to select a quarterback — a guy by the name of Lamar Jackson. To get this done, the Vikings would likely have to part with their No. 42 overall pick, a 2024 fifth-rounder and a 2025 third-rounder.
So why do this? Trading up would not only secure the Vikings their preferred option at quarterback, but it would also secure the potential fifth-year option.
I don’t see the Vikings needing to send a third round pick next year. This would be nearly identical to how far the Vikings moved up for Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. A fourth-round pick (No. 108) should be able to make the move.
The question is whether or not Nix is a good option. Drafting a developmental project that hasn’t shown nearly enough growth over an NCAA record 61 starts doesn’t feel like a bet worth making. The idea of getting the fifth-year option is a good one though, just not for this prospect.
Fourth round: Colorado State EDGE Mohamed Kamara
He’s not massive at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, but Flores proved last year how he feels about size versus production in his pursuit of linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.
Like Pace, Kamara’s effectiveness in college is undeniable. He amassed the third-most pressures in the nation among 126 qualified edge rushers this season. His pass-rush win rate ranked seventh highest among the 126, according to PFF. Fourth-round picks are long-shot bets regardless, so it makes sense to place one on a player with a proven skill set.
The fourth round has a lot of different types of players being taken. I group them into three buckets.
- Hyper athletes with little production
- Hyperproduction with lesser athleticism or size
- Medical or off-the-field red flags
Kamara is relatively smaller as Lewis sets up but in round four, you feel more comfortable taking that chance than you would earlier in the draft. Even if he doesn’t end up being a starter in year one or two, Kamara could easily be your EDGE 3-4 for the duration of his rookie contract.
Fourth round: Notre Dame CB Cam Hart
Last year, the Vikings selected Mekhi Blackmon in the third round. Evaluators had questioned Blackmon’s size, but the Vikings cared more about his performance.
Hart is different from Blackmon in that he fits the profile of an outside cornerback. He measured 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds at the Senior Bowl. During the game, he beelined into the backfield and fearlessly tackled the ball carrier. Infusing Daronte Jones’ position group with size and physicality would be a boon.
After watching him in Mobile, it’s evident that Hart has talent. He also brings something to the Vikings defensive backfield that they don’t have right now: length.
Akayleb Evans has some of that but he thrives best in zone coverage whereas Hart plays well in man coverage. Adding one more player to this room should be a priority and it doesn’t have to be in the top 100.
Fifth round: UCLA EDGE Gabriel Murphy
Murphy is not the most decorated UCLA pass rusher in this draft. That accolade is reserved for likely first-round pick Laiatu Latu. Murphy is, though, in the same category as Kamara in that he is potentially a pass-rush-specific edge rusher with a skill set Flores could maximize. Among the 103 collegiate defenders who rushed the passer on at least 300 snaps in 2023, Murphy had the fourth-highest pressure rate. It only makes sense for a team so devoid of young edge-rushing talent to take multiple swings at prospects with upside.
This would be an upside bet ina similar way to what Kamara was earlier. Gabriel transferred from North Texas with his twin brother Grayson and they provided the Bruins a lethal front against the pass. He might be a specialist at the next level, but you don’t take a guy in round five that’s a finished product and a starter.
Fifth round: Michigan LB Michael Barrett
Off-ball linebacker is widely regarded as one of the more difficult positions to evaluate ahead of the draft. Though athletic traits matter (e.g., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah), players like San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner have made clear the value of on-field awareness and decision-making.
The Vikings could trade their sixth-round pick (courtesy of New England) and seventh-rounder for another fifth-rounder. Barrett is an older prospect, but he’s intriguing in that he’s a former dual-threat quarterback. His maturity and versatility feel like fits for what Flores seeks.
The Vikings desperately need to find help on the second level and looking for an upside play on day three might be the best bet. This class doesn’t provide a lot of high-end talent and taking a versatile player like Barrett is a smart play, including when it comes to special teams.
Sixth round: Tennessee CB Kamal Hadden
When Minnesota traded left guard Ezra Cleveland to Jacksonville, it recouped a sixth-round pick. Using this selection on another defender is symbolic of the need on that side. Hadden is, like Hart, a lengthy and physical cornerback. He is 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, and although he only played 185 defensive snaps in 2023, opposing quarterbacks had the lowest QB rating when targeting him among 199 qualified corners.
This is a really smart dart throw. As Lewis mentions, Hadden didn’t play much but when he did, the results were really impressive. If it works, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could make his job a lot easier down the line.
Overall thoughts
When you look at how Lewis navigated the draft, he really focused on the defense with only Nix being from the offensive side of the football. With one defensive lineman, two edge rushers, a linebacker and two cornerbacks, the Vikings would be adding a lot of talent to their defense with hopes of continuing their growth.
The offense could have used some offensive line depth along with a running back and wide receiver, but it’s overall a solid outlook that is a great one if you like Nix as a prospect, which I don’t.
Grade: B-
