The Minnesota Vikings had a turbulent year last season. Turnovers hampered them as they started the season 1-4. Next, the team rattled off five straight victories including signature wins over Green Bay and San Francisco. Finally, after quarterback Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury, the team went into a nosedive going 1-6 to end the season.

Vikings

Jack Jones (18) of the Las Vegas Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Justin Jefferson (18) of the Minnesota Vikings. – Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Vikings enter their postseason with more questions than answers. Cousins and edge Danielle Hunter are both free agents. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is looking for a break the bank contract very shortly. And the team has to decide what they are going to do with aging veterans like Jordan Hicks and Harrison Smith.

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft Picks

Round 1: No. 11 Overall

Round 2: No. 42 Overall

Round 4: No. 108 Overall

Round 4: No. 129 Overall (Compensatory-T.J. Hockenson Trade)*

Round 5: No. 155 Overall

Round 5: No. 165 Overall (From Jets)

Round 6: No. 178 Overall

Round 6: No. 189 Overall

*Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lost more free agents than it acquired the previous year. The picks are awarded based on a formula that considers salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams cannot acquire more than four compensatory picks per year.

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft Needs

Minnesota Vikings OLB Danielle Hunter (99) - Andy Keuntis/Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings OLB Danielle Hunter (99) – Andy Keuntis/Minnesota Vikings

No matter the fate of Cousins, the Vikings need to draft their quarterback of the future. Best case scenario is that Cousins or a Baker Mayfield type signs for two years. That would give the young quarterback time to develop and grow.

Same with Hunter. If they sign him or not, they will still need to add a dynamic edge rusher on the other side of line. The Marcus Davenport experiment was a bust. And the interior defensive line is missing a true run stuffer.

The Vikings always need cornerbacks, and this year is no exception. Only Byron Murphy and second year player Mekhi Blackmon can be counted on for consistent play. And even if they resign Jordan Hicks, he isn’t getting any younger. They will need to bolster the inside linebacker position as they plan for their future.

The Vikings would also like to add depth to the running back, interior offensive line, and wide receiver positions.

Mock Draft

Round 1 Pick No. 31 Overall: Bo Nix-QB, Oregon (From Trade with 49ers)

Round 2 Pick No. 49 Overall: Adisa Isaac-Edge, Penn State (From Trade with Bengals)

Round 2 Pick No. 55 Overall: T’Vondre Sweat-DT, Texas (From Trade with Dolphins)

Round 2 Pick No. 63 Overall: Caelen Carson-CB, Wake Forest (From Trade with 49ers)

Round 3 Pick No. 88 Overall: Beau Brade-S, Maryland (From Trade with Packers)

Round 4 Pick No. 109 Overall: Junior Colson-LB, Michigan

Round 4 Pick No. 113 Overall: Audric Estime, RB-Notre Dame (From Trade with Raiders)

Round 4 Pick No. 130 Overall: Malik Washington-WR, Virginia

Round 5 Pick No. 156 Overall: Dallin Holker-TE, Colorado State

Round 5 Pick No. 166 Overall: Javion Cohen-OG, Miami

Round 5 Pick No. 168 Overall: Elijah Jones-CB, Boston College (From Trade with Packers)

Round 6 Pick No. 179 Overall: Will Putnam-OC, Clemson

Mock Draft Analysis

I definitely played “Trader Jack” as I was compiling this mock draft. My goal was not only to increase the overall number of selections the Minnesota Vikings would have in the draft but also to land them additional prospects in the first three rounds.

With this mock draft, the team landed their quarterback of the future in the person of Bo Nix.  Hopefully he is given a couple of years to mature and learn his craft. A top 50 prospect, Isaac is exactly the kind of explosive edge rusher the team was looking for.

Defensive tackle Sweat will become the immovable object on the Vikings front three. Carson is the epitome of what a cover corner should be. And Colson is a versatile enough defender to project as a three-down linebacker. And the acquisition of Brade will allow the Vikings to continue to deploy their three-safety look.

Cohen and Putnam will push for starting positions on the interior offensive line. At worst they will become solid backups. Jones adds insurance to a position that currently has a numbers issue. And the other three draftees help the Vikings restock some offensive skill positions.