Grading Every Minnesota Vikings Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
Bryce Lazenby
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The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. One of the most exciting weekends of the year is behind us, and the Minnesota Vikings have several new young players to get excited about.
In the first round, the team went the route many assumed they would go in selecting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, while many mocks had the team moving up to pick four or five, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah only had to move up one spot. Of course, the team was benefitted by the Atlanta Falcons shockingly selecting Michael Penix Jr.
Adofo-Mensah was not done maneuvering, however, and edge rusher Dallas Turner was added with the 17th pick. This means the Vikings landed one of the top passers and top edge rushers in this class. This was a massive haul, but the team didn’t pick again until the fourth round.
Rounds four through seven were spent plugging holes with promising depth pieces. Khyree Jackson, a corner from Oregon, was one of the picks who could work his way into the starting lineup. Now, let’s dive into each pick and give a grade to each.
Round 1, Pick 10: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Grade: A
The possibilities are seemingly endless for the McCarthy-O’Connell connection in Minnesota. McCarthy didn’t have to do much in college thanks to an elite run game and defense, but he has all the traits you want in a franchise QB.
McCarthy has deceptive athleticism and is proficient in throwing on the run. The former Wolverine works well within structure and has solid decision-making skills. Minnesota is probably the best landing spot for the QB, as the team boasts a good offensive line and one of the best wide receivers in the league.
This pick gets added praise because the Vikings did not have to give up future draft capital to land McCarthy. Also, McCarthy will not be thrust into a starting role immediately as veteran Sam Darnold is around as a stopgap. With a solid coaching staff and supporting cast, McCarthy could end up developing into one of the league’s most reliable passers. The Vikings needed to add a QB prospect for the future, and they got the perfect one for their situation.
Round 1, Pick 17: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Grade: A
As mentioned above, the Vikings didn’t just pull off one trade in the first round. Adofo-Mensah decided to trade up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire the 17th pick, which was used on Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.
To get Turner, the Vikings gave up the 23rd pick, a fifth-round pick, and two 2025 mid-round selections. In return, the team landed one of the surest edge rushers in this class. Turner is extremely athletic and has all the big-game experience you could want in a rookie. Turner racked up 22.5 sacks in 38 collegiate games for the Crimson Tide.
With Danielle Hunter and DJ Wonnum leaving in free agency, the Vikings needed to add more help on the edge. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were added, but Turner has the highest ceiling by far of any edge on the roster. Turner could easily turn into a double-digit sack guy who helps out against the run as well.
Round 4, Pick 108: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Grade: A
I mocked Khyree Jackson to the Vikings back in March. Since watching the corner at Oregon, I’ve thought he would be a great fit in Minnesota. Clearly, Adofo-Mensah agrees.
The corner played 320 coverage snaps in 2023 for the Ducks and allowed just one touchdown. Jackson allowed a passer rating of just 41.6 and collected three interceptions. The corner played against great competition in the Pac-12 and is just the type of big-bodied, physical corner who will excel in a Brian Flores defense.
Expect Jackson to immediately come in and compete for a role on the Vikings’ defense. If Mekhi Blackmon or Andrew Booth Jr. stumble, they could lose their spot to the promising rookie. This is a great value pick in the fourth round for the Vikes.
Round 6, Pick 177: Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
Grade: B
The Vikings have two of the best starting tackles in the league. Behind Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, however, is not much. Rouse is another draftee with a ton of big-game experience, having started 13 games at left tackle for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023.
Rouse received an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference selection for his performance. The tackle has great size at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds. The tackle knows how to keep his feet moving and push forward on running plays. Rouse is just an average athlete but he has the size and toughness to be a solid swing tackle in the league.
The Vikings needed depth on the line and they got it here with Rouse. Expect the rookie to break camp as the primary backup tackle.
Round 6, Pick 203: Will Reichard, K, Alabama
Grade: B
The Vikings needed a new kicker after Greg Joseph signed with the Green Bay Packers this offseason. The team decided to use one of the late-round selections on Will Reichard, one of college football’s most reliable legs.
Reichard was the first kicker selected, and rightfully so. The kicker made 94.9% of his field goals and extra points over the last three seasons and went 10-of-13 on field goals from over 50 yards in his career. If you’re going to draft a kicker, selecting college football’s all-time leader in points scored is a good choice.
Round 7, Pick 230: Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest
Grade: B
The Vikings continued the theme of drafting extremely experienced college players in this draft. Jurgens started 13 games for the Demon Deacons in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2023, the center earned an incredible 93.1 run-block grade and allowed just two sacks.
Jurgens is another lineman who has prototypical size and should add depth to the line. Currently, the Vikings don’t have much depth behind starting center Garrett Bradbury. With a strong camp and preseason, Jurgens could make the team as a backup on the interior.
Levi Drake Rodriguez, DL, Texas A&M-Commerce
Grade: C-
Levi Drake Rodriguez is not a player many people had on their draft boards. The small-school prospect went under the radar but don’t let that fool you. Rodriguez was productive at the FCS level, earning the highest pass-rushing grade among interior defenders at the FCS level.
Rodriguez is an interesting seventh-round flyer, but I would’ve preferred a different selection here. If a defensive lineman was going to be added, the team should’ve gone that route earlier. When the team took Rodriguez, receivers like Tahj Washington and Cornelius Johnson were still available. Still, it’s a seventh-round pick, so you can’t kill it. There’s a chance that Rodriguez can develop behind Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard. I expect the FCS product to be stashed on the practice squad as a rookie.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.
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