Vikings Draft 2024: Post-Scouting Combine 7-round mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the most active teams at the NFL Scouting Combine, but what does it mean for the 2024 NFL Draft?

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the key players at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, and some of it didn’t have to do with what was happening on the field.

With quarterback Kirk Cousins and pass rusher Danielle Hunter looking for massive paydays in free agency, the Vikings were constantly in the headlines as the top prospects worked out in Indianapolis.

With the Scouting Combine now complete, Minnesota's draft strategy may have altered drastically over the past week.

In this article, we used PFF's mock draft simulator to play out how the Vikings could operate in this year’s draft.

With the possibility of trades and fast risers, this could be one of the most important drafts in Vikings history and could lead a slew of new talent to Minnesota.

First-Round Pick (18th overall)

Jared Verse – EDGE (Florida State)

You may be wondering why the Vikings are selecting 18th overall, and that’s because we traded down from the 11th overall pick.

While rumors have circulated that Minnesota could trade up for a quarterback in this year’s draft, they may not have enough draft capital to get a deal done, and most of the top options could be off the board if they’re still at the 11th overall pick.

If they can’t get a quarterback, they could also find several options at edge rusher, cornerback, and defensive tackle, so trading pick No. 11 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for picks No. 17, 96, and 117 makes sense (it also allows us to go over a few more prospects for the purpose of this article).

In this mock, that leads the Vikings to Jared Verse, who terrorized offenses at Albany and continued to do so after transferring to Florida State.

Verse has been consistent throughout his career and plays with plenty of strength. While he is more suited as a stand-up edge rusher, that should work fine in Brian Flores’s defense and could be a key cog – even if Danielle Hunter returns.