Vikings Bring in More Beef to the Offensive Line at No. 177

Josh Frey |

Apr 27, 2024

Oklahoma’s Walter Rouse (75) is pictured at OU media day in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

The Vikings began the third and final day of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting CB Khyree Jackson with the 108th overall pick.

Minnesota then had to wait nearly 70 selections before making their next pick, but they have decided to fortify their offensive line with their next selection, taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Walter Rouse with the 177th overall pick and first selection of the sixth round.

Vikings Select OL Walter Rouse with the 177th Pick

Walter Rouse was the left tackle for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023, forming a tackle tandem with Tyler Guyton, who was selected in the first round of this spring’s draft by the Dallas Cowboys, who used the 29th overall pick on Rouse’s teammate.

Prior to his stint at Oklahoma, Rouse spent four seasons as the starting left tackle for the Stanford Cardinals. At Stanford, he was a Freshman All-American and was named an honorable mention for the All-PAC-12 teams during the 2020 and 2022 seasons.

At 6’6″ and 322 pounds, Rouse is a massive presence on the offensive line. During the 2023 season, he played 480 snaps in pass protection and gave up just six pressures and zero sacks.

Nov 24, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) celebrates with offensive lineman Walter Rouse (75) after a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive tackle position was a very clear need for the Vikings heading into this draft. Prior to the event, they waived Coy Cronk with a non-football injury designation. Because of that decision, Minnesota had just three offensive tackles on their roster: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, and David Quessenberry.

Seeing as Darrisaw and O’Neill have gone through some injury troubles over the past couple years, extra security at the position is a must, and the Vikings view Rouse as capable of filling that role.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.

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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.