EAGAN, Minn. — As the 2024 NFL Draft creeps closer, NFL staffs spent last week gathering additional information on potential prospects at the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, during three days of practices, interviews and Saturday's all-star game.
The Minnesota Vikings hold the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and have eight additional picks from Rounds 2 to 7. The reverse order of the previous regular season standings determines the draft order.
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).
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
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 second version of our Vikings 2024 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 13 recent predictions from across football media.
Similar to Version 1.0, draft pundits consistently identified cornerback, edge rusher and quarterback as the Vikings primary positional needs. Defensive tackle was also named in several mocks. The only offensive position listed was quarterback.
Here's a look at our second Vikings 2024 Mock Draft Tracker:
Matt Miller of ESPN
Feb. 5, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Dallas Turner, Defensive End, Alabama
The Vikings are at a crossroads with quarterback Kirk Cousins hitting free agency at 36 years old and coming off an Achilles tear suffered in Week 8. Could they pull the trigger on Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix, Jr.? Yes, but there are needs across the board. Danielle Hunter is a free agent, and Turner would perfectly fit Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' wish list at edge rusher.
Turner had 10 sacks in his breakout 2023 season, and one NFC area scout thinks his ceiling is higher than former college teammate Will Anderson, Jr., who went No. 3 in last year's draft. Turner has excellent speed in space with a pro player comparison to the Jaguars Josh Allen. He's my top-ranked defender in the class and would be a steal this late in the night.
Click here for Miller's full mock draft.
Danny Kelly of The Ringer
Jan. 31, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Dallas Turner, Defensive End, Alabama
With Danielle Hunter heading toward free agency, the Vikings look to bolster their defensive front. Turner's a souped-up, flexible pass rusher who can be used to create havoc in Flores' defense.
Click here for Kelly's full mock draft.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com
Jan. 21, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas
I believe Murphy is the top defensive tackle in the class. The Vikings need to add more firepower up front.
Click here to read Jeremiah's full mock draft.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
Feb. 5, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
The Vikings have big free agency decisions looming at [edge defender]. I see the explosive Verse as the best option at a position of need.
Click here to read Zierlein's full mock draft.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com
Feb. 2, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
It's no guarantee, of course, but if the Vikings can re-sign Cousins, addressing the defensive front might be the next order of business. I could see Minnesota adding multiple pieces up front, depending on what happens with another pending free agent in Hunter. Verse is an athletic tone-setter who would pass the Flores test for toughness and aggression.
Click here for Edholm's full mock draft.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 31, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
Newton is a ferocious up-the-field rusher that can win with a loaded arsenal of pass-rush moves.
Click here to read Trapasso's full mock draft.
Connor Livesay of The 33rd Team
Feb. 5, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle, Texas
There is more and more talk about Byron Murphy II going much higher than the media is projecting.
Checking all the size, production and tape boxes, Murphy is quickly working his way up boards to be the draft's top defensive tackle. The Vikings could use some help up the middle for next season.
Click here for Livesay's full mock draft.
Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN
Jan. 23, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson
In my final mock ahead of the 2023 draft, I projected the Vikings taking a cornerback. Instead, they went with wide receiver Jordan Addison, who had a fantastic rookie season, catching 10 touchdown passes. That need in the secondary still exists. Minnesota ranked 28th in passing yards allowed to receivers last season (3,019), and 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth, Jr., hasn't quite figured things out. Let's go back to Clemson — Booth's former school — with the selection of Wiggins here. Wiggins was a lockdown defender in 2023, allowing just 4.2 yards per attempt as the nearest defender in coverage.
Could the Vikings take a quarterback? For sure. Cousins is a free agent, and I don't think rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall will be the guy long-term. At this point, though, the most likely option might be running it back with Cousins, so adding a starter on defense makes more sense. This obviously could change as we learn more about General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's plans.
Click here for Kiper's full mock draft.
Diante Lee of The Athletic
Jan. 30, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama
The Vikings can go in a few different directions here (and, in fact, I think it would make sense to trade back) but rebuilding on the fly means bringing in young talent at premium positions. At 6-0 and around 200 pounds, Arnold has prototypical size to match up with any receiver, and his change-of-direction skills keep him in tight coverage across the entire route tree. The ball skills he showed this season (six interceptions) marked a major development — and it's why I feel he's the top cornerback in the class.
Click here for Lee's full mock drafts.
Nate Davis of USA Today
Jan. 29, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan
Will the Vikes re-sign Cousins, 35? Even if they do, wouldn't it be wise to take a page from the division rival Pack's playbook and get his successor into the building? McCarthy won big in college (27-1 record) while developing into an accurate passer who rarely made bad decisions, all traits that will make NFL evaluators take notice. Yet the 21-year-old, who was greatly assisted by the Wolverines defense and run game, could certainly benefit from apprenticing behind a pro like Cousins.
Click here for Davis' full mock draft.
Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network
Feb. 4, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Michael Penix, Jr., Quarterback, Washington
At the Senior Bowl, Penix showed that he can work under center and that's exactly what the Vikings front office needed to see. In Minnesota, Penix would have two high-level weapons to throw the ball to along with one of the best play-callers in the NFL.
Click here for Sanchez's full mock draft.
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News
Jan. 29, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Michael Penix, Jr., Quarterback, Washington
The Vikings can move on from Cousins and they learned quickly that neither Joshua Dobbs nor Nick Mullens nor 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.
A.J. Schulte of Pro Football Network
Jan. 27, 2024
The predicted pick at No. 11: Laiatu Latu., Edge, UCLA
With outside linebackers Hunter, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum all slated to hit free agency, the Vikings must make moves to replenish their pass-rush arsenal.
Laiatu Latu slips a bit here, due to his concerning medical history, but his deep repertoire of pass-rush moves and hot motor would make him an excellent addition to this Minnesota defense.
Click here for Schulte's full mock draft.
