2024 NFL Team Draft Page

The Vikings saw the Falcons pull off a shocker by taking QB Michael Penix Jr. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could not chance that another team would jump up and take the next QB offf the board. The Vikings traded pick 11, 129, & 157 to the Jets for pick 10 & 203 to get their future franchise Quarterback, JJ McCarthy. McCarthy was not asked to do a lot at Michigan but when he was he produced. He is excellent throwing over the middle and on the run. The Vikings desperately needed a mobile QB that had the ability to make plays of script.

McCarthy turned 21 years old in January and had 26 starts in college. He was the Griese-Brees Big Ten QB of the Year, First-team All-Big Ten Conference, and Finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation's top QB). He has plenty of areas to improve upon as do all players but he brings that winning championship level mentality to the Vikings. He has all the traits you could want and now the Vikings will get the chance to develop him further.

All the draft rumors were that the Vikings would have to give up both of their RD1 picks this year, their RD1 pick in 2025, plus additional picks to move up to anywhere from pick two through five to get JJ. They held firm and only gave up a couple of mid-round picks to get their hopeful QBOTF. Excellent!

Grade: A+

Mark P, Vikings Analyst

After 14 straight offensive players selected in a row, an NFL record, the next two players were Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu and Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy. In this draft, Kweis Adofo-Mensah is not shy about making bold trades. He traded away picks 23, 167, plus a 2025 3rd, and a 2025 4th to move up to pick 17. The Vikings GM used that pick to select Edge Rusher Dallas Turner, who many regarded as the top pass rusher in the draft.

Turner is 6'3" 247 with 34 3/8" arms. He ran 4.46 forty, had a 40.5" vertical jump, and a 10'7" broad jump. Turner was First-team Associated Press All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-SEC, a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Lott IMPACT Award (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity). He led this team with 14.5 TFL and was tied for eighth in the FBS with 10 sacks.

Turner is long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher. Another excellent pick! Grade: A+

Mark P, Vikings Analyst