Which talented, young college athletes could the Minnesota Vikings select during the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Minnesota Vikings have some extremely challenging decisions to make this offseason. Choosing which free agents to re-sign or sign and who to add during the 2024 NFL Draft will shape the future of the organization.
Detroit, Michigan will be the location for the 2024 NFL Draft, which will take place with the first round starting on April 25 and concluding the seventh and final round on April 27. Currently, the Vikings own the rights to eight picks throughout the event.
Eight picks sound like a lot but Minnesota has a lot of needs to fill. They have immediate needs at quarterback and pass rushers but could also look to make an upgrade at multiple spots on offense, defense, and special teams.
Simulations from FanSpeak, Pro Football Network, NFL Draft Buzz, NFL Draft Fanatics, and Sportskeeda will be used for this mock draft. A prospect must be available in three of the five simulations to be selected. Let's see how the mock shaped up.
First-Round Pick (11th overall)
Laiatu Latu - Edge (UCLA)
Minnesota Vikings fans will not be thrilled to see the team's first round pick go to an edge rusher, but since the top three quarterback prospects were off the board in the first ten picks, the best choice for the team was an edge rusher.
Unless the Vikings are willing to pay to bring back one of the starters from last season, Minnesota will need to find at least one edge rusher in the draft or spend a hefty sum to land a disruptive sack artist in free agency.
Laiatu Latu is an interesting prospect. Although he needed time away from football after having neck surgery in 2020, he has emerged as a top edge rush prospect after a transfer from Washington to UCLA.
In his two years at UCLA, Latu played in 25 games, accumulating 51 tackles with 34 of those being for a loss, including 23.5 sacks. He also intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered two fumbles, showing off his nose for the football.