EAGAN, Minn. — With the 2024 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the countdown to the Vikings first-round selection has begun.
Minnesota currently has the 11th overall pick after finishing 7-10 in 2023, which was third in the NFC North and 10th in the NFC standings.
The Vikings have picked inside the top 12 just 23 times in franchise history. Twice those selections netted a quarterback, Christian Ponder (2011 No. 12 pick) and Daunte Culpepper (1999 No. 11 pick).
Other notable top 12 selections include Adrian Peterson (2007 No. 7 pick), Bryant McKinnie (2002 No. 7 pick), Kevin Williams (2003 No. 9 pick) and Anthony Barr (2014 No. 9 pick). Three players selected in the top 12 — Carl Eller (1964 No. 6 pick), Ron Yary (1968 No. 1 pick) and Chris Doleman (1985 No. 4 pick) — made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The 2024 NFL Draft will be held from April 25-27. The first round begins on April 25. Rounds 2 and 3 follow on April 26, and the final four rounds will occur April 27.
Here is the first version of our Vikings 2024 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 12 recent predictions from across football media.
Draft pundits routinely named quarterback and edge rusher as the Vikings primary positional needs. Defensive tackle and cornerback were also represented in several mocks. The only offensive position listed was quarterback.
View home and away photos of the Vikings 2024 regular season opponents.
Vikings vs. Bears
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Seahawks
Lumen Field
Vikings vs. Lions
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Titans
Nissan Stadium
Vikings vs. Packers
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Bears
Soldier Field
Vikings vs. 49ers
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Giants
MetLife Stadium
Vikings vs. Falcons
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Lions
Ford Field
Vikings vs. Texans
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Packers
Lambeau Field
Vikings vs. Cardinals
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Rams
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings vs. Colts
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings at Jaguars
EverBank Stadium
Vikings vs. Jets
U.S. Bank Stadium
Here's a look at our first Vikings 2024 Mock Draft Tracker:
Jordan Reid of ESPN
Jan. 10, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
One of my favorite overall prospects in this class regardless of position, Newton is a disruptive 3-technique who finished the season with 42 pressures, 7.5 sacks and an 11.4-percent defensive pressure rate. And he simply doesn't come off the field; his 715 snaps ranked seventh among all FBS defensive linemen in 2023. Newton can play from multiple alignments, and he can be included in creative third-down packages because of his versatility and explosiveness as a pass-rusher.
Click here for Reid's full mock draft.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic
Jan. 16, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Laiatu Latu, Edge Rusher, UCLA
Over his two seasons at UCLA, Latu accounted for 34 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He has first-step quickness and bend, but his crafty handwork and ability to diversify his attack separate him as a pass rusher. His injury history could be an issue, but this Vikings regime has taken chances with those risks in the past.
Click here for Brugler's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News
Jan. 16, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Michael Penix, Jr., Quarterback, Washington
The Vikings can move on from Kirk Cousins and they learned quickly that neither Joshua Dobbs nor Nick Mullens nor Jaren Hall could be any kind of real answer beyond short-term injury fill-in. The Kevin O'Connell Rams-like system calls for more of a strong pocket passer first, and the downfield arm and accuracy of Penix should be welcome to get for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 11, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Chop Robinson, Edge Rusher, Penn State
Robinson is a premier athletic specimen on the edge and the Vikings have to add youth to that position, especially given Danielle Hunter's contract is up and the fact he'll be 30 next season.
Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.
Luke Easterling of Sports Illustrated
Jan. 16, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher, Alabama
It's really a matter of Turner putting everything together. His continued development physically could expand him to a more versatile menu of roles. As is, he feels like a tailored fit for an odd-front-heavy base scheme where he can play from wider angles and use his athleticism in space to stress offensive linemen. The sky's the limit here for the three-plus-year projection, but we still do need to see the expanded growth.
Click here for Easterling's full mock draft.
Dalton Miller of Pro Football Network
Jan. 10, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
Kool-Aid McKinstry to Minnesota might be the most obvious fit in this draft class. He's a zone-coverage savant, his positional leverage maintenance is outrageous, and his downhill trigger is impressive. But even though he's stronger in zone coverage than man, McKinstry doesn't lack fluidity or explosiveness.
Click here for Miller's full mock draft.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic
Jan. 10, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU
It's possible Daniels comes off the board in the top 10 (maybe even in the top three). This is more in line with where I'd place the Heisman winner in the stack, though, and Minnesota needs new life at the QB position. Daniels has played a lot of ball (55 games), but the 23-year-old still has room to develop and would be great with Justin Jefferson.
Click here for Baumgardner's full mock draft.
Joseph Acosta of SB Nation
Jan. 9, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jared Verse, Edge Rusher, Florida State
With Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum all set to enter free agency, the Vikings need another piece to add to their pass rush. Verse is a high-motor EDGE who wins with power and burst and will immediately help the Vikings defense.
Click here for Acosta's full mock draft
Curt Popejoy of USA Today Sports' Draft Wire
Jan. 9, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa
The Vikings are another team that needs a quarterback but just goes for value instead.
Click here for Popejoy's full mock draft.
Marcus Mosher of the 33rd Team
Jan. 11, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher, Alabama
Danielle Hunter had a fantastic 2023 season, but the Minnesota Vikings need to add someone opposite him who can create pressure on the quarterback. Dallas Turner had double-digit sacks at Alabama this season despite being just 20.
There's a lot of debate about who the top pass rusher is in this class, but it's hard to pass up Turner and his production.
Click here for Mosher's full mock draft.
Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department
Jan. 14, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU
No prospect improved his draft status this year more than LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner showed a different level of composure, poise in the pocket and efficiency this past season.
The 23-year-old benefited from better protection, two first-round wide receivers on his flanks and an investment in virtual quarterback simulation. All of it led to the fifth-year senior exploding for 4,946 total yards and 50 total touchdowns.
Click here for BR's full mock draft.
Connor Rogers of NBC Sports
Jan. 11, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Michael Penix, Jr., Quarterback, Washington
The College Football Playoff was a roller coaster for Penix who looked like the best quarterback in the country against Texas and then came back down to earth against Michigan.
More importantly, he put out two years of great tape in the Huskies offense. His arm challenges every layer of the field and specifically outside the numbers. For a player viewed as a late Day 2, early Day 3 pick before the season, I've heard a ton of buzz about him over the last two months indicating he's on the rise in this draft.
Click here for Rogers' full mock draft.
