Two Vikings Rookies Will Wear Familiar Jersey Numbers in 2024
The Minnesota Vikings added seven new players to their roster throughout the 2024 NFL Draft.
The first two picks by the team came in the first round when Minnesota selected QB J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick and then followed up with the selection of OLB Dallas Turner with the 17th overall pick.
This week, we found out that both Vikings rookies will be rocking some familiar jersey numbers this season in Minnesota.
Two Vikings Rookies Will Wear Familiar Jersey Numbers
J.J. McCarthy donned the No. 9 jersey throughout his collegiate career at Michigan, and that will continue in Minnesota. That No. 9 jersey previously belonged to WR Trishton Jackson, but he evidently has given the number up for Minnesota’s new QB. It is unclear as of now what number the wide receiver will switch to.
Jackson made his NFL regular season debut in 2023 after spending multiple seasons in Minnesota stashed on the practice squad. During this past season, he appeared in seven games and caught two passes for nine yards, including a crucial two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.
As for the newest No. 9 in Minnesota, McCarthy became the Vikings’ highest selected quarterback in franchise history, surpassing Daunte Culpepper who was taken with the 11th overall pick in 1999. McCarthy led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in 2023, and the Vikings are hoping he can be the quarterback to help end their Super Bowl drought as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas Turner won’t be changing numbers, either. The pass rusher will continue to wear the No. 15 that he donned during his collegiate years at Alabama.
Of course, it was Josh Dobbs who wore the No. 15 in Minnesota during the 2023 season. Dobbs, acquired midseason via trade with the Arizona Cardinals, was part of the Vikings’ carousel at the quarterback position following Kirk Cousins’ injury. Dobbs left for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
For Turner, he will hope to help fill the void left behind by Danielle Hunter, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency. Turner spent three seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide during his collegiate career, recording 120 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks.
For now, the jersey numbers for the remaining five Vikings draft picks and UDFAs have not been determined yet.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference CFB.
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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.