Minnesota Vikings NFL draft predictions, according to latest expert mock drafts
NFL draft speculation is at an annual high with the 2024 NFL Draft just days away. The Minnesota Vikings are a team drawing some of the most interest as a quarterback-needy team picking outside the top 10.
Minnesota holds the No. 11 overall pick in this year's draft and is in dire need of a new franchise quarterback after Kirk Cousins departed for Atlanta in free agency. The Vikings signed veteran Sam Darnold in the offseason, but the one-year length of the deal indicated the team doesn't view him as its long-term answer under center.
The 2022 NFC North champions have tons of play-making weapons on the offensive side of the ball: receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as newcomer running back Aaron Jones. Minnesota just needs a signal-caller to help put those pieces together so they may produce at a high level. Given the team's draft circumstances this year, that could mean a trade up.
Here's what draft analysts are saying the Vikings will do in the latest mock drafts from around the web.
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2024 NFL Draft: Vikings prediction
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (trade up to No. 4 with Arizona)
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown coached Maye at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, and it's easy to see why Minnesota would be excited about adding a rocket-armed signal-caller comfortable operating on the move, especially as the franchise turns the page from the Kirk Cousins era. For Maye, there might be no better situation for his development than learning under McCown and Kevin O'Connell while having Justin Jefferson on the receiving end of his deep bombs and Christian Darrisaw keeping him clean."
Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (trade up to No. 9 with Chicago)
Monson writes: "There were reports that Drake Maye is the quarterback the Minnesota Vikings covet, and that lines up nicely for them if he starts to slide as more and more concerns crop up with his game."
Mel Kiper Jr. & Field Yates, ESPN: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (trade up to No. 5 with Los Angeles Chargers)
Kiper writes: "Did you expect a different quarterback here? Giving up that 2025 pick is going to hurt for Minnesota, but it would be worth it if the organization feels McCarthy can be the guy. There's some risk involved -- McCarthy was never asked to carry the load with his arm in college -- but his physical tools are appealing."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Reuter writes: "Nix's ability to find targets at all three levels, move in and outside the pocket, and direct an offense are quite reminiscent of former Vikings starter Kirk Cousins."
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (trade up to No. 5 with Los Angeles Chargers)
Sullivan writes: "L.A. doesn't need QB and needs to bring aboard young/cheap talent, so moving down is a logical step. The Vikings get themselves a fascinating QB prospect who has won essentially everywhere he's gone in his football life."
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2024 NFL Draft: How to watch on cable TV and streaming
When: April 25-27, 2024
Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Cable: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
HOW TO WATCH: Catch all seven rounds of the draft with a subscription to fuboTV
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Vikings mock drafts: Latest projections for 2024 NFL Draft
