A QB Is the Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft Darling for the Vikings
The 2024 NFL Draft will be an interesting one in regard to the Minnesota Vikings for a couple reasons.
Minnesota is in a situation where they could have multiple different needs next spring, especially considering both Kirk Cousins’ and Danielle Hunter’s contracts will expire at the end of the year. However, there is an early favorite for the Vikings first-round pick, and that prospect is Oregon QB Bo Nix.
The Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft Darling for the Vikings
According to NFLMockDraftDatabase.com, Nix has been the most frequently selected player associated with the Vikings for next spring. The site currently has Minnesota slated with the 20th overall selection in April, and their database suggests that 13% of mock drafts have sent the Oregon QB to Minnesota.
Nix comes in narrowly ahead of Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, who sits at 12%, while Washington QB Michael Penix has been selected 10% of the time. The other 65% of drafts have contained a mish-mash of other prospects, but regardless, QB is a heavy favorite for the Vikings first-round pick.
For example, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports recently sent Nix to the Vikings writing, “Nix’s athleticism would be accentuated by Kevin O’Connell’s boot-action system.”
Nix has had a very interesting road through his college football career. He began at Auburn, but the QB struggled to get that program back to the top in the SEC, throwing for 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions over the course of three seasons. In total, Auburn went 21-16 during Nix’s tenure as the starter.
Prior to the 2022 season, Nix opted to enter the transfer portal, which led him to the Oregon Ducks. That 2022 campaign rejuvenated the QB’s hopes of eventually being a top NFL prospect as he led the Ducks to a 10-3 record and boasted a stat line of 3593 passing yards along with 29 passing TDs compared to only 7 interceptions.
The Ducks then entered 2023 with College Football Playoff aspirations, and for the most part, Nix did his job as Oregon went 11-1 through the regular season. The QB again set career-high marks with 3906 passing yards and 37 TDs while only throwing 3 interceptions. Nix also added 6 rushing TDs to his line.
However, the dreams of the CFP likely came to an end on Friday night as Oregon fell to the Washington Huskies by a score of 34-31 in the PAC-12 Championship Game. Nix threw for 239 yards and 3 TDs during the game, so he was his usual productive self. However, Oregon’s defense could not slow down Washington’s offense as they totaled 481 yards on the night.
With Cousins entering free agency and turning 36 years old next season, this could be the time for Minnesota to target their next franchise QB. Nix offers an intriguing skillset with a strong arm and some athleticism in the pocket, so he should be on fans’ radars as draft season approaches.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.