Three Routes the Vikings Can Take with the 11th Overall Pick
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings currently hold the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they could go in a number of different directions with that pick.
Minnesota could either stick at No. 11 and take the best available prospect, or they could make a trade to move up or down the board. As the draft continues to get closer, here is a look at all three routes the Vikings could take in the first round of the draft.
Trade Up
The option that many Vikings fans are probably clamoring for right now is the one to trade up and get into the top-10 of the draft. There are a few potential trade partners in that top end of the draft right now, including the New England Patriots (No. 3), Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) and Tennessee Titans (No. 7).
If the Vikings were to make a trade up the board, the assumption should be that they are doing so in an attempt to land their QB of the future. Minnesota has reportedly been open to making such a move, but it would likely come at a massive cost in terms of draft compensation.
At the end of the day, though, Kirk Cousins is entering free agency, and there is no certainty that he’ll be on the team in 2024. Even if the Vikings were to re-sign the veteran, he is set to enter his age-36 season, and there are only so many years of quality football left in him.
Stick and Pick
This is what the Vikings opted to do in the 2023 Draft. Despite an attempt to move up and draft Anthony Richardson, Minnesota ultimately decided to stay put at No. 23 overall and select WR Jordan Addison. The move worked out beautifully considering Addison had a stellar rookie season of 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 TDs.
The beauty of holding the 11th overall pick in the draft is the fact that, regardless of how things go down in the top-10, there will inevitably be talent available when the Vikings go on the clock that can help their team in 2024.
Minnesota has a number of needs outside of the QB position, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and if QBs, WRs, and offensive tackles fly off the board in the first 10 selections, the Vikings could have their choice of a multitude of talented defenders at No. 11.
Trade Down
Considering all of the Vikings’ needs heading into 2024, they certainly could look to acquire more draft capital (particularly adding a selection in the third round). Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is known for his trading prowess (he’s swung 19 trades over his first 25 months as Vikings GM), and more of the same should be expected this offseason.
The Vikings have gone down this route quite often in recent years, including both 2021 and 2022 when they traded down and selected LT Christian Darrisaw and S Lewis Cine. Darrisaw quickly blossomed into one of the best left tackles in the entire league while Cine has struggled to get on the field because of an injury during his rookie season and overall depth at the safety spot.
Trading down almost certainly means the Vikings will push their QB needs into 2025. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing on the surface, but again, Cousins can only be the option for so long. If the Vikings are going to wait another year to go after a quarterback (or select one later on in the 2024 Draft), they will need to nail that pick.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference 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.