The Minnesota Vikings' chances at postseason success disappeared when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 and their odds of making the playoffs at all vanished when Jaren Hall threw for 67 yards in a half against Green Bay in Week 17.
The silver lining is that the subpar season is leading to a favorable draft pick in April. But there are tons of question marks about the construction of this roster, specifically at quarterback.
What draft picks do the Vikings have in the 2024 NFL Draft? Who could they target in the first round? Let's dive in.
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What Draft Picks Do The Minnesota Vikings Own?
The Vikings have eight picks in total in the 2024 draft. They'll be on the clock first at number 11 overall, the result of a tiebreaker with the other 7-10 teams.
After the first round, they'll select 42nd overall with their second-round pick. The Vikings also own two fourth-round picks (108th and 129th), two fifth-round picks (155th and 164th), and two sixth-round picks (178th and 189th).
The glaring omission is a third-round selection, which Minnesota spent to acquire tight end T.J. Hockenson from NFC North rival Detroit in 2022.
Who Could The Minnesota Vikings Draft In The First Round?
There are essentially two safe positions for the Vikings this offseason: wide receiver and tight end. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison form one the best duos in the NFL and there's still room to grow. Hockenson, while currently injured, will resume his role as one of the league's elite tight end options when he's healthy.
Kirk Cousins hinted that he's interested in returning to Minnesota. Does the team want that? That looks doubtful, but a possible scenario could involve bringing Cousins back while also drafting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who could use some time learning on the sidelines before he's thrust into action.
Or, if the rumors surrounding Minnesota are true, they'll be aggressive in going to find their new franchise signal caller. Could that mean Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, North Carolina's Drake Maye, or even throwing the kitchen sink at Chicago for Caleb Williams? They'll have to surrender a healthy collection of assets for any of those moves.
If Minnesota wants to run it back with Cousins and then dive a full rebuild down the line, taking the best defender available is the most likely route. That could be UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, or Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner will likely be gone by their pick.
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