Five Vikings Writers Offer a Bland and Bold Prediction for the 2024 NFL Draft
K. Joudry
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In a world where Vikings writers like to be bold, the fine folks at Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD dare to be bland. Or, at least, there’s a willingness to dabble in both.
Recently, I went around to some of the folks who put writing onto our pair of sites with a simple instruction. Offer up a bland and a bold prediction for the Vikings’ 2024 NFL Draft. A sentence or two per answer is all that was required; no guidance was offered when it comes to delineating the difference between “bland” and “bold.” Read on to see what the crew came up with in their answers.
Five Vikings Writers Getting Bland and Bold
Dustin Baker, Vikings Territory Managing Editor
Bland: The Vikings trade up the draftboard to pick No. 3, landing North Carolina’s Drake Maye for the price of three 1st-Round picks. This isn’t bland by broad standards, but since the Vikings pulled off the trade with the Houston Texans a month ago, most expect such a trade and quarterback selection. All any Vikings fan talks about is the trade and eventual quarterback selection, so choosing “trading for Drake Maye” feels bland by April standards.
Bold: LSU’s Jayden Daniels slides down the draftboard after several weeks of prognostication suggesting he’s a no-brainer to the Washington Commanders. Washington sticks to last year’s consensus theory — picking Drake Maye at No. 2 — and Minnesota “has no choice” but to draft Daniels and pair him LSU alumnus Justin Jefferson for the next 5-10 years.
Janik Eckardt, Vikings Territory Writer
Bland: The Vikings will trade up to the fourth overall pick, swapping both first-rounders in 2024 and some change to select the remaining passer of the top group. Depending on who the New England Patriots prefer, either Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy will be Minnesota’s signal-caller for years to come.
Bold: While the majority of the additions in free agency were reinforcements for Brian Flores’ defense, it will be an offensive draft. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will select a QB in the first round and at least one player at each offensive position (RB, WR, TE, OL) on day three. The most notable additions on day three of the draft will be the receiver in a deep class at the position, and the lineman will immediately compete for the vacant left guard slot.
Adam New, Vikings Territory Writer
Bland: No picks on Day 2. Obviously, the Vikings aren’t scheduled to be picking on Day 2 as of right now. I predict it stays that way with no trades being made to put the Vikings back on the clock on Friday.
Bold: Vikings trade to 5 for QB JJ McCarthy. The top 4 stand pat and make their picks leaving the Vikings to deal with the Chargers and select the draft’s QB4.
Josh Frey, PurplePTSD Managing Editor
Bland: Vikings trade up for J.J. McCarthy. It’s been the most likely scenario ever since Minnesota landed that 23rd overall pick. Rather than giving up the king’s ransom to go get Drake Maye at No. 3 overall, Minnesota holds onto some of their future draft capital to take the Michigan product, McCarthy.
Bold: Vikings get back into Day 2 of the draft. By virtue of landing that 23rd overall pick, the Vikings gave away No. 42 to the Houston Texans, thus meaning they don’t currently hold a Day 2 selection this year. That will change by the time Friday, April 26th ends.
K. Joudry, Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD
Bland: The Vikings draft at least one defensive lineman and one offensive lineman. Neither line is set when it comes to starting talent and depth, so expect Minnesota to add some size.
Bold: Rather than trade a boatload of picks, the Vikings stay outside of the draft’s top 10. The end result is one that’s been explored in a minority of mocks: drafting a defender and a QB in the 1st. More specifically, I’ll say Bo Nix is picked up at No. 23.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.