4 Vikings Rookies Who Could Start in Week 1
The Minnesota Vikings have brought in a number of new contributors for the 2024 season.
In total, they selected seven players in the 2024 NFL Draft and brought in 17 undrafted free agents after the draft concluded. Here is a look at a few of the Vikings rookies who could feasibly land a starting role in Week 1.
QB J.J. McCarthy
The talk of the summer in Minnesota will revolve around the Vikings’ quarterback battle. J.J. McCarthy became the highest selected QB in franchise history when the Vikings selected him with the 10th overall pick.
As a result, there is plenty of hype around the rookie being the team’s next franchise cornerstone at the position. In order to land that starting role, though, McCarthy will have to beat out veteran free agent acquisition Sam Darnold.
OLB Dallas Turner
On top of the historic selection of McCarthy at the quarterback position, Dallas Turner became the first edge rusher to be selected by the Vikings since 2005. The Alabama product is an extremely explosive athlete off the edge, but he remains a rather raw prospect.
However, the Vikings have a great defensive coaching staff in place, and if Turner is able to show signs of progress in his technique over the summer, it cannot be ruled out that he could play a prominent role in Minnesota’s defense this fall.
CB Khyree Jackson
Khyree Jackson was a fourth-round pick by the Vikings this spring. The odds of a Day 3 pick becoming a crucial starter typically are low, but Jackson’s odds go up in Minnesota simply because of how much uncertainty lies in the Vikings’ cornerback position.
For now, Byron Murphy is the only player who realistically can feel safe in a starting role while Jackson will be competing with names like Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, and Shaq Griffin for the other starting spot on the boundary. Because of his skillset in man coverage that was on display throughout his sole season at Oregon, perhaps Flores can turn the fourth-rounder into a steal.
K Will Reichard
The Vikings watched Greg Joseph head to the Green Bay Packers in free agency after three seasons in Minnesota. As a result, it opened up a starting role at the kicker position. Of course, John Parker Romo was an XFL standout who was signed by the Vikings this spring, but Will Reichard was the first kicker off the board in this spring’s draft.
The Vikings very clearly have high expectations for the Alabama product, and rightfully so considering he kicked in some of the biggest moments at the collegiate level.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
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.
