The Minnesota Vikings had an excellent weekend with the selections of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner headlining their moves in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But although the Vikings’ class was generally well-received there are a few mistakes that they could end up regretting.
What are some of the mistakes Minnesota made and how it could haunt them next season?
Mistakes the Minnesota Vikings might end up regretting after the 2024 NFL Draft
1. Not doing more at the guard position
A concern for the past decade, the Vikings came into the draft asking the familiar question of “Can he play guard?”
Blake Brandel was re-signed to replace Dalton Risner on the left side of the offensive line, but he’s spent the majority of his career as a tackle. Ed Ingram also cut his pressures allowed by 33 percent last season but still hasn’t earned the trust of the fan base.
It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the Vikings addressed their need at guard early but they waited until the seventh round by selecting Wake Forest’s Michael Jurgens. But Jurgens was also announced as a center and Minnesota’s other offensive lineman selected was Oklahoma tackle Walter Rouse.
Brandel could be fine at left guard, but he could also be the Vikings’ 2024 version of Alexander Mattison – a player that the Vikings believe can be a starter but is better suited to be a backup. Although the Vikings could re-sign Risner, it appears no deal is imminent, leaving Minnesota with a massive gamble heading into next season.
2. Not adding a running back
The Vikings running game has been a mess since Kevin O’Connell arrived in 2022 and although they signed Aaron Jones in free agency, they could be making a mistake by not adding one more ball carrier to put it all together.
Jones was the NFL’s leading rusher with 411 yards over the final four weeks of the season, but he also battled injuries throughout the year, including a strained hamstring that sidelined him for three games early in the year and a sprained MCL in November that knocked him out for another three games.
At age 29, there’s a decent chance that Jones will suffer another injury, and there are questions about who is behind him. Ty Chandler performed admirably with 258 yards, two touchdowns, and 4.8 yards per carry after taking over the starting role in the final four weeks of the season, but concerns over pass protection kept him from taking over sooner.
The Vikings also have 2023 seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride on the roster, but he failed to make the team out of training camp last summer.
This wasn’t a strong running back class, but it would have been smart to add some insurance. But with the fickle nature of the running back position, it may also not matter.
3. Failing to add a wide receiver
A lot of questions have been asked about Justin Jefferson’s contract, but the Vikings have bigger concerns further down the depth chart. While Jordan Addison is returning, K.J. Osborn signed with the New England Patriots in free agency, and Minnesota’s third receiver is currently Brandon Powell.
Osborn’s role wasn’t similar to many third receivers in the league, as he was asked to do some of the dirty work in the running game, and T.J. Hockenson was essentially the second option in O’Connell’s offense. But it still would have been wise to dive into a talented receiver class and give Sam Darnold or McCarthy another weapon to utilize – especially with Hockenson rehabbing from a multi-ligament knee injury.
Perhaps the absence of a receiver pick signals that a contract extension with Jefferson is around the corner. But if another piece of the Vikings offense goes down, it could make life difficult next season.