It’s a fresh start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 after a 7-10 finish last season and their previous starting QB Kirk Cousins signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
With plenty of positions to fill, none are more pressing than the one behind center for the Vikings. And Minnesota did just that in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 10 (from NYJ)
J.J. McCarthy, QB | Michigan - Round 1, Pick 17 (from JAX)
Dallas Turner, EDGE | Alabama - Round 4, Pick 108
Khyree Jackson, CB | Oregon - Round 6, Pick 177 (from JAX through CAR)
Walter Rouse, OT | Oklahoma - Round 6, Pick 203 (from NYJ through DEN, CLE, HOU)
Will Reichard, K | Alabama - Round 7, Pick 230 (from ARI through CLE, ATL)
Michael Jurgens, C | Wake Forest
- Round 7, Pick 232 (from HOU through SF, DEN)
Levi Drake-Rodriguez, DT | Texas A&M-Commerce
Who Did the Vikings Draft in 2024?
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Round 1, Pick 10
A tremendous physical foundation is what buoys McCarthy’s profile in the first-round range. Though he sports a leaner build, he’s a high-level athlete and a high-level creator with an extremely loose and elastic arm.
Time for the J.J. McCarthy era in Minnesota. 👀#SKOL | #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/nOPJh7Gi9Q
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
His combined evasive ability, flexibility, and off-platform torque expand the possibilities with him on the field, and as a thrower, he has the ease of velocity and angle freedom to make all the throws.
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Round 1, Pick 17
After trading up to select their potential franchise quarterback in McCarthy, the Vikings traded up once again to land a defensive cornerstone. Dallas Turner was viewed as arguably the top defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He will now be tasked with replacing Danielle Hunter in Minnesota. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Turner’s explosive ability in his scouting report.
KEEP READING: Vikings 2024 Draft Grades
“With his hyperactive lateral twitch and fluidity, Turner can widen tackles before exploding into the torso with ruthless long-arms and bull-rushes,” Cummings said.
“To that end, he’s shown he can scare tackles into flashing their hands with feigned power rushes and then capitalize with swipes and rips. And in pursuit, he’s an albatross with his closing speed and motor.”
Khyree Jackson, CB, Round 4, Pick 108
After sitting out the second night of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Vikings have added another piece to their secondary on Saturday. Minnesota selected Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson with the No. 108 selection in the fourth round.
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Jackson’s size and ability in his scouting report.
“Kyhree Jackson is a 6’4″ CB built for press-man schemes,” Cummings said. “He must anticipate routes with more consistency to stay ahead rather than behind, but his size/athleticism combo is rare.”
Walter Rouse, OT, Round 6, Pick 177
After landing potential franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy earlier in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Vikings are adding protection along the offensive line. Minnesota selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Walter Rouse with the No. 177 overall selection in the sixth round.
Pro Football Network’s discussed Rouse’s skillset in his scouting report. “While there isn’t much that pops on Walter Rouse’s tape, there also isn’t much that should scare teams away,” Cummings said.
Will Reichard, K, Round 6, Pick 203
The Vikings are clearly tired of dealing with struggles at kicker, as they have found their solution at the position in the 2024 NFL Draft. Minnesota selected Alabama kicker Will Reichard with the No. 203 overall selection in the sixth round.
Reichard played in a ton of meaningful games at Alabama and was reliable in the team’s biggest moments. He made over 70% of his kicks longer than 50-yards in his career at Alabama. Reichard should be a reliable option at kicker that the Vikings have been seeking.
Michael Jurgens, C, Round 7, Pick 230
The Vikings continue to solidify their offensive line for potential franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota selected Wake Forest offensive lineman Michael Jurgens with the No. 230 overall selection in the seventh round.
Jurgens has experience playing both guard and center, which will be valuable inside the trenches for the Vikings. Minnesota could surely use some developmental depth along the interior of their offensive line and Jurgens will fill that need.
Levi Drake-Rodriguez, DT, Round 7, Pick 232
After selecting Dallas Turner earlier in the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota added another piece to their defensive front on Saturday. The Vikings selected Texas A&M-Commerce defensive tackle Levi Drake-Rodriguez with the No. 232 overall selection in the seventh round.
Drake-Rodriguez has an endless motor that the Vikings clearly appreciate. While some projected Drake-Rodriguez to be an undrafted free agent, Minnesota clearly didn’t want to risk losing him to another team following the 2024 NFL Draft.