12 Prospects the Vikings Could Target in the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and will begin in 2.5 months on April 25th.
When the first round of the draft arrives, the Minnesota Vikings will have a big decision on their hands in regard to their 11th overall selection. As the draft continues to get closer, here is a look at 12 prospects that the Vikings could have their eye on in that first round.
QB Jayden Daniels
The LSU pipeline runs deep in Minnesota, and it very well could continue to flow in 2024. Jayden Daniels is one of the top QB prospects in this spring’s draft, and his combination of terrific arm strength and elite athletic ability makes him a very intriguing candidate to become the next Vikings quarterback.
Jayden Daniels scouting report
QB Drake Maye
Drake Maye probably will be the second quarterback off the board after Caleb Williams, but if one of the Commanders or Patriots are intrigued by Daniels, and the other team selects a skill player like Marvin Harrison Jr., there is an outside chance that the Vikings could trade up to land the UNC quarterback. He is an NFL-ready QB at just 21 years old, so if Minnesota has a chance to trade up and select him, it should be a no-brainer.
QB J.J. McCarthy
If the Vikings want to land a quarterback while also retaining Cousins for another year or two, J.J. McCarthy might be the most logical option. He just turned 21 years old, and while there is still plenty of room for him to grow, his mechanics and discipline as a passer suggest a player who could be very successful in the right NFL system.
QB Michael Penix
There is a lot of upside to Michael Penix, but there are a number of question marks as well. He has a long injury history, which derailed his collegiate career at Indiana before transferring to Washington, and he has a good bit of headway to make in his development. Still, he is an athletic quarterback with a rocket launcher for an arm. He very well could be in consideration for the Vikings in the first round, particularly if they decide to trade down.
EDGE Dallas Turner
Dallas Turner will be in consideration for the first pass rusher to come off the board in April. He is extremely powerful, lightning quick off the line of scrimmage, and is just 21 years old. Turner has the potential to be a player that the Vikings can build their defense around for the next decade if they opt to select him.
EDGE Jared Verse
There are few players at the EDGE spot in this draft as physically imposing as Jared Verse. He is built like a Greek god, and his explosion off the line of scrimmage leaves opposing offensive linemen struggling to catch up. While some of his technique could still use a little work, Verse’s athleticism gives him a very strong baseline.
EDGE Laiatu Latu
Laiatu Latu won’t blow anyone away with elite athleticism, but he is a very technically sound pass rusher. The UCLA product has multiple countermoves in his arsenal that always keeps blockers guessing, and he can be a productive player in run defense as well.
DT Jer’Zhan Newton
The best part of Jer’Zhan Newton’s game is his versatility, and this skillset is what ultimately should land him among the top defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft. The defensive tackle has an innate ability to impact the game both as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer because of his freakish athletic ability, but size and length could be a bit of a problem. With Minnesota’s needs at defensive tackle, there certainly is a chance that the Vikings have their eyes on him.
Jer’Zhan Newton scouting report
DT Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy is another incredible pass rushing presence at the defensive tackle position, piling up 45 pressures in 14 games for the Texas Longhorns this past season. He isn’t the most technically sound player at the defensive tackle spot, but he brings great athleticism and explosion at the position. He’s another defensive tackle to have eyes on in the first round.
CB Quinyon Mitchell
During last week’s Senior Bowl, there wasn’t a defensive player, and perhaps a player in general, that raised their draft stock more than Quinyon Mitchell. The Toledo cornerback already showcased elite coverage skills throughout his collegiate career, and then, he did so against some of the top wide receiver prospects in this draft class. The Vikings need a true CB1 in that room for next season, and Mitchell could be that.
Quinyon Mitchell scouting report
CB Terrion Arnold
Terrion Arnold actually began his Alabama career as a safety recruit, but his ascension at the cornerback position has been rapid. Arnold is a very physical player with the strength to dominate opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage and help in run support. Pair that with terrific athletic ability and fluid movements, and he should be a lock for the first round.
CB Nate Wiggins
Nate Wiggins battled through a bone bruise in his knee during the 2023 season, but he recovered to have a strong conclusion to his final year at Clemson. He has the most length among the trio of CBs mentioned on this list, which allows him to blanket receivers downfield. Wiggins could certainly fill Minnesota’s need for a true boundary cornerback.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus 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.