The Minnesota Vikings could be in for a very long wait afer the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. If they are successful in trading up to get their quarterback, they'll have to wait over 100 picks before making their second selection. That's a long time, and it will result in a lot of board watching, and likely a fair amount of praying.
This is a deep draft and regardless, there will be some nice players available when the Vikings go back on the clock in the fourth round. While that's true, they'll also be hoping some players who many assume will go higher start to fall down the board.
It happens every year for various reasons, and the Vikings will have their eye on some prospects they hope will make it to pick No. 108. Who are some of them?
2024 prospects the Minnesota Vikings hope fall to pick No. 108 in the NFL Draft
T'Vondre Sweat - DT (Texas)
Sweat is the one that most Vikings fans will be hoping falls to the fourth round. He's a big dude, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing over 364 pounds. At that size, he's a force against the run, and Minnesota can plop him in the middle of their defense and move Harrison Phillips to an end spot, upgrading to positions with one choice.
Sweat isn't just a big space eater. He moves well for being so large, can chase ball carriers down the line, and provides some interior pass rush. Sweat's also great at sticking his arms up and batting down passes, so he brings a lot to the defense that takes him.
He could fall for multiple reasons. First, many see him as a two-down player in the league. That hurts his stock, as teams are unwilling to take that type of player too early. There are also concerns about his weight getting out of hand, but the biggest reason he could fall is what happened recently.
Sweat was also arrested for a DUI recently. That's a horrible look when you are basically in a three-month-long job interview and meeting with potential employers every week. What makes it worse is that he's already known as a partier, and this isn't just an isolated incident. Still, if he makes it to 108, the Vikings should sprint the card in, as he's exactly what this defense needs in the middle.
Trey Benson - RB (Florida State)
Running back isn't a huge need for the Vikings, but they'd have to pull the trigger if a talented player like Benson slid to them in the fourth round. Benson is a complete back who can catch the ball, run with power, vision, and burst, and also possesses great size. He doesn't have a ton of tread on the tires, as he wasn't used heavily at Florida State. He still managed to run for nearly 2,000 yards in his collegiate career and scored an impressive 24 touchdowns.
Benson could fall just because of the position he plays. Running back has been devalued in the last couple of years, as teams seem to be able to find capable players later in the draft. If the run at running back doesn't start until late in the second round or even early in the third, Benson could slide through the cracks. Teams also rank these players quite differently, and many teams may prefer Jonathan Brooks, Marshawn Lloyd, and Jaylen Wright over Benson.
As mentioned above, the Vikings' need for running back isn't a huge one. They signed Aaron Jones in free agency, but it was just a one-year deal and he does tend to get injured. Benson can have a part-time role as a rookie and then compete to be the starter in year two, assuming Jones is one and done with the Purple.
Jalen McMillan - WR (Washington)
The Vikings need to add a wide receiver at some point in the draft. They were wise to bring back Brandon Powell in free agency, and they also signed Trent Sherfield. Powell was good last year but could be upgraded and Sherfield will be in a battle to be the fourth or fifth option. While Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson are also in the mix, a rookie could be added as early as pick No. 108, and Jalen McMillan could be a guy the Vikings hope falls in their laps.
He's got good size at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He's a natural hands catcher who can stretch the field with his speed. Coaches will love the fact he's an aggressive blocker in the run game and fans will love his collegiate production with over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns.
McMillan has primarily worked out of the slot so he could come in and immediately push Brandon Powell for his job. Most draft experts have McMillan ranked in their top 100, and some have him going as early as the second round. It's not crazy to think he could make it to 108. The Vikings did have him in for a top-30 visit so the interest is there.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger - G/C (Georgia)
The Vikings have a couple of major holes to fill in the 2024 NFL Draft. Finding a quarterback is number one, getting a dawg on the defensive line is another, and finding a starter at left guard or at least someone who can be a top-end backup is another.
Van Pran-Granger would be a huge score for the Vikings at pick No. 108. The dude is massive at 6-foot-4 and 298 pounds. He's also mean as hell, and instead of blocking his man, he destroys him. He could slide down a little because his technique tends to get sloppy at times, and his arms aren't the ideal length. However, he is a big-time finisher and will fight and battle all game long. He would add some toughness and nastiness to the interior of the Vikings offensive line.
The Vikings should be crossing their fingers, rubbing horseshoes together, and eating four-leaf clovers to ensure Van Pran-Granger slides to them. He would push Brandel to be the starting left guard and could be the team's center of the future in a year when Garrett Brabdury finds a new home. It would be a home run pick for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and one that could help his young quarterback develop, as he'll have much better protection up front with the big Bulldog in the lineup.
Michael Hall Jr. - DE (Ohio State)
The Vikings need a couple of guys on their defensive line. They could use a young nose to back up and eventually replace Harrison Phillips, and they also need to improve at defensive end. That's where Michael Hall Jr. comes into play. The dude is a dawg on the field, playing with intensity and passion.
He's got a crazy motor and flies off the line of scrimmage. He has the power to fight through blocks and also possesses a variety of pass-rushing moves. Hall also has extremely violent hands that he uses to fight off blockers. He was a beast at the Senior Bowl against top-end talent and had an impressive showing at his Pro Day.
Hall could slide down the board for a handful of reasons. Talent-wise, he's probably a second-round pick, but some character concerns have been brought up, and there's fear he could be a problem in the locker room. He also had a startling lack of production during his time with the Buckeyes. His best season was in 2022 when he had four and a half sacks.
That being said, he's well worth a gamble in the fourth round. He could be the guy who emerges as a playmaker at defensive end, giving something the Vikings have needed for years.