The bulk of the NFL’s free agency period is behind us, and the 2024 NFL Draft is just around the corner. The Minnesota Vikings did a lot of work in the free agency period, but most of that work centered on filling out the back half of the roster and ensuring that the 2024 team has some good depth to it.
That means that there are still a number of areas that need to be addressed heading into the 2024 NFL draft. The team over at PFF has identified three of those needs, highlighting QB, G, and CB as the three areas of biggest need for the Vikings.
With two first-round picks in hand, the Vikings are well positioned to find their next franchise quarterback. In the meantime, the team has primarily focused on bolstering its defense, adding Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel in the process.
Minnesota could use some help at guard. Dalton Risner is still a free agent, while Ed Ingram remains but has struggled during his first two NFL seasons. Cornerback is likely a priority on defense after that group ranked 24th in the NFL in coverage grade last season. Mekhi Blackmon was a nice pick in last year’s draft, but the team should continue to search for more talent.
While it’s assumed that the Vikings will use at least some of their draft capital to move up for a quarterback — whether that’s Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, or someone else remains to be seen — it will be interesting to see how they address the other needs.
If Minnesota is able to keep their second selection in the first round, that could be a great spot to address the cornerback position with someone like Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, or Kool-Aid McKinstry. The need at guard may be a little more complicated. As PFF points out, Dalton Risner is still on the market, and Minnesota could opt to use a mid-round pick at the position as well.
