Mel Kiper Gives Vikings an Underwhelming Grade for 2024 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings just wrapped up what will go down as a historic NFL Draft.
Not only did they make J.J. McCarthy their highest drafted quarterback in franchise history, but they also decided to make a pair of top 20 selections for just the third time in nearly 60 years, bringing in Dallas Turner with the 17th overall pick.
Minnesota is hoping that these two prospects can be players to build around for the future, but not everybody was impressed by the Vikings’ draft process on the whole. For instance, Mel Kiper of ESPN recently gave out his draft grades following the event, and he handed Minnesota an underwhelming “C+” grade for their work this past weekend.
Mel Kiper Gives Vikings Underwhelming Draft Grade
Kiper’s issues with the Vikings’ draft seems to do less with the players that they actually selected, and rather with how they went about acquiring those players. The analyst wrote:
“My qualm about GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s class has more to do with mortgaging the future of this Minnesota roster. He made the move in March to get an extra first-rounder at No. 23, which cost him a second-round pick next year. And to trade up from No. 23 to No. 17, he had to give the Jaguars his 2025 third- and fourth-rounders. That means the Vikings have just three selections next year: one in Round 1 and two in Round 5. With a rookie quarterback under center, are they really in position to go all-in right now? This is after they had just two picks in Rounds 1-3 this year.”
Indeed, the Vikings are looking like they will have a pretty thin draft class in 2025. It is on track to be the second time in three years that they only make one selection in the top 100 as well. The first occurrence, of course, came in 2023 when they took WR Jordan Addison with the 23rd overall pick before trading down and selecting CB Mekhi Blackmon at No. 102.
However, there are a couple of things to consider when thinking about the Vikings in 2025. Assuming McCarthy doesn’t completely implode during his rookie season, they will have their starting QB in place. They’ll also have their tackle tandem together in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. T.J. Hockenson will still be around at tight end. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they’ll have a couple star receivers in Addison and Justin Jefferson (assuming Jefferson gets his long-awaited contract extension).
If they have found their QB of the future (a big if at this point, admittedly), this is a team that is far from rebuilding on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, there could be a couple more question marks, particularly in the secondary.
Minnesota is yet to truly find a consistent solution at the cornerback position, and Byron Murphy will be a free agent next offseason as will safety Camryn Bynum. Harrison Smith will also be 36 years old in 2025, so can the Vikings truly rely on him to be a contributor?
On the defensive front, Jonathan Bullard and Harrison Phillips are once again set to be the starters at defensive tackle, and Minnesota didn’t do much to provide production for the future unless Jaquelin Roy and Levi Drake Rodriguez pop as late-round draft selections.
However, there is also the matter that Minnesota could have one of the highest cap space totals in the league next offseason. As of now, the Vikings are projected to hold $102.4 million (prior to the Jefferson extension and signing draft picks), which ranks fourth in the NFL.
The focus next spring very well could be towards crushing free agency rather than taking chances on players in the draft. It certainly is a riskier option considering players have the choice to sign anywhere in free agency, but it’s the path Minnesota seems to have committed themselves to.
The Vikings should also receive a compensatory third-round pick because of the departure of Kirk Cousins this spring, and they could pick up additional picks via trades of players that are already on the roster.
At the end of the day, despite holding only three selections in the next spring’s draft, the Vikings have plenty of options towards building their roster for the future. They also landed two players at premium positions this spring, so there doesn’t need to be as much emphasis on absolutely nailing next year’s draft if McCarthy and Turner both pan out.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Over the Cap.
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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.