Vikings Mock Draft: A 7-Round Attempt at Predicting Minnesota’s Draft
Josh Frey
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The 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon.
As a result, it only seems fitting to do one more Vikings mock draft predicting how the event will turn out for Minnesota. This year’s prediction includes two different trades as well as the Vikings landing their QB of the future.
Vikings Mock Draft: The Final Prediction
R1, P5: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
TRADE
- MIN gets: No. 5
- LAC gets: Nos. 11, 23, 2025 third-round pick
It’s the move that many Vikings fans are hoping for, and it’s one that needs to be made. The Vikings need to find a long-term answer at the quarterback position, and while I don’t see them making the grandfather offer for No. 3 with the Patriots, they do land J.J. McCarthy here.
R3, P92: DT Michael Hall, Ohio State
TRADE
- MIN gets: No. 92
- TB gets: Nos. 108, 129, 230
Other than quarterback, the Vikings have a pretty major need at defensive tackle as well. As a result, I have the Vikings trading back into the third round in order to fill that need. Michael Hall is a prospect that I really like at the position because of his pass rushing abilities that would complement the run-stopping abilities of Jonathan Bullard and Harrison Phillips.
Hall’s win percentage as a pass rusher was 18.3%, per PFF, which ranked second among all defensive tackles with at least 150 pass rush snaps in 2023. Some will question Hall’s size (6’3″, 290 pounds) which could cause him to fall this far down the board, but the athletic ability and explosiveness he displays on a regular basis is astounding in the trenches.
R5, P157: WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Once we get this far down the board, we might just be throwing darts at a board. However, I’ve been very clear on my feelings for Jamari Thrash on this website before. His route-running abilities are excellent, and he pairs that with 4.4 speed that allows him to get downfield in a hurry. Thrash has the ability to become one of the six best receivers from this class when it’s all said and done.
The Vikings have a need at WR3 without K.J. Osborn in the mix, and while Thrash may not immediately fill that role, he certainly can do so either later on in 2024 or to begin the 2025 season.
R5, P167: CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
The Vikings not only need some more depth for their CB room, but at this point, we should begin looking at players who can contribute immediately on special teams as well. Unlike some of Minnesota’s recent acquisitions at the position, Cam Hart has the size to develop into a boundary cornerback (6’2″, 207 pounds).
Hart isn’t the most twitched-up athlete in the world, but he is a very competitive player and finds himself in the right position to make a play on passes. Additionally, he was a very steady contributor for Notre Dame on those aforementioned special teams, so he immediately helps the Vikings in punt coverage.
R6, P177: G Javion Cohen, Miami (FL)
This pick is based solely around the Vikings’ need at left guard. Of course, nobody selected in the sixth round should be expected to step into a starting lineup immediately, but for now, Minnesota doesn’t have any true solution at the left guard spot.
Cohen spent the past three seasons as a starter there between the Alabama and Miami (FL) programs and has progressively gotten better as a pass protector. He might be a “break glass in case of emergency” solution at this point in time, but it’s better to have that in place than to have nothing at all.
R7, P232: OT Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Finally, we reach the offensive tackle spot. As of now, the Vikings have just three players designated as offensive tackles on their roster: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, and David Quessenberry. Sataoa Laumea can add to that depth.
However, before he kicked out to the right tackle position for the final two years of his collegiate career, Laumea also spent time at right guard for the Utes. Versatile offensive linemen can only help Minnesota at this point in time.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.
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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.