The upcoming offseason is crucial for the Minnesota Vikings, and the 2024 NFL draft will significantly impact how general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is evaluated in the future.
After missing on safety Lewis Cine in 2022 and making a few other questionable draft picks in the last two years, each NFL Draft becomes increasingly vital for Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to maintain his position.
With key players entering free agency in 2024, like quarterback Kirk Cousins and pass rusher Danielle Hunter, and an average amount of cap space, the best way for the Vikings to improve before next season is likely through the draft.
With that being said, let's see if we can predict what Minnesota might do next spring with a seven-round 2024 mock draft.
First-Round Pick (25th overall)*
T’Vondre Sweat - IDL (Texas)
*(MIN trades pick No. 14 to KC for pick No. 25 and No. 57)
It has become clear that this Vikings defense needs a dominant nose tackle to take the next step in 2024. So, in this mock draft, Minnesota will take advantage of the Kansas City Chiefs' desperation to add a wide receiver and agree to move back in the first round, which will also result in them gaining an additional second-round pick.
Even though they move back in the first round with the trade, the Vikings are still able to land a dominant interior defensive lineman in Texas's T’Vondre Sweat.
Sweat would be an extremely valuable asset to Minnesota's defense, standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing over 350 pounds.
The Vikings currently need a true nose tackle, which Sweat is. Harrison Phillips has been playing both 3-4 defensive end and nose tackle this season, but he's better suited for the former.
Sweat, on the other hand, is a great run stuffer, and he has an uncanny ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. He may not have the best stats, but he does most of the dirty work for his team.
Despite predictions of him going in the second round, Sweat is one of the best interior defensive linemen who will be available in next year's draft. He is extremely athletic for his size and a great leader. Two qualities that make him an ideal pick for Minnesota.