One 2024 Draft Prospect Is Becoming Particularly Popular for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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Ever since the 2023 season came to an end, many have had high hopes that the Vikings will select a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kirk Cousins is about to turn 36 years old, is coming off an Achilles injury, and will likely cost a good chunk of change in free agency. On top of any negatives regarding Cousins’ future, this 2024 class is chock-full of talented draft prospects at the position.
While it certainly makes sense for the Vikings to target a QB in this spring’s draft, it may ultimately not be possible for Minnesota to do so, especially if they cannot swing a deal to trade up into the top five. As a result, a prospect at a different position is becoming increasingly popular for Minnesota in recent mock drafts.
One 2024 Draft Prospect Is Becoming Popular for Vikings
That prospect is Jared Verse, a pass rusher out of Florida State. After largely being an overlooked recruit coming out of high school, Verse committed to the University of Albany where he played two seasons before ultimately landing with the Seminoles in 2022.
That run with the Seminoles proved to be a glorious one for Verse as he piled up massive statistical outputs, totaling 98 QB pressures (per PFF) along with 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 total sacks over the past two years.
As a result of this flurry of production, the Florida State product is largely viewed as a first-round draft prospect, and some consider him to be the best pass rusher in this class. Thus, with the Vikings desperately needing to find bodies for their OLB/DE spots this offseason, Minnesota has become a popular landing spot for Verse among mock drafters.
Most recently, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com sent Verse to the Vikings in his first 2024 mock draft. He defended the selection by writing, “The Vikings have big free agency decisions looming at defensive end. I see the explosive Verse as the best option at a position of need.”
In Zierlein’s mock draft, he had the Atlanta Falcons trading up to No. 5 overall and selecting QB Drake Maye, so if this type of scenario plays out, the Vikings very well could pivot towards adding help to their defense.
Another writer for NFL.com, Eric Edholm, had the same selection for the Vikings last week in his mock draft. With all three of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Caleb Williams being selected with the first three picks, the Vikings again were forced to turn away from the QB spot, adding Verse.
Edholm wrote of the selection, “It’s no guarantee, of course, but if the Vikings can re-sign Kirk Cousins, addressing the defensive front might be the next order of business. I could see Minnesota adding multiple pieces up front, depending on what happens with another pending free agent in Danielle Hunter. Verse is an athletic tone-setter who would pass the Brian Flores test for toughness and aggression.”
Re-signing Cousins certainly could throw a wrench into any plans of drafting a QB, particularly in the first round, seeing as other options like J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix could be available in the second day.
Verse certainly has the athletic explosion to be a viable pass-rushing option at the NFL level. Combine that athleticism with an unrelenting motor, and he should not be overlooked as a draft candidate for the Vikings this spring.
Editor’s Note: Information from 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
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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.