After the Week 18 games around the league on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings now know when they will be picking in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings were unable to defy the odds and sneak into the 2023 playoffs on Sunday, as they suffered a 10-point loss to the Detroit Lions.
However, the Vikings will now have a top-15 selection in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to their loss and the results of some of the other Week 18 games around the league on Sunday.
Following the outcomes of Sunday's late-afternoon matchups, Minnesota now knows that they currently have the 11th pick in the opening round of the 2024 draft in April.
Vikings news: When was the last time Minnesota had the 11th pick in an NFL Draft?
In 2022, the Vikings had a similar first-round slot when they originally were in possession of the 12th overall selection before trading it to the Detroit Lions, who then used the pick to select wide receiver Jameson Williams.
But the last time Minnesota ended a season with the 11th selection in a draft was back in 2014 when they wound up with the No. 11 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after finishing the 2014 campaign with a 7-9 record.
The Vikings used the selection in 2015 on cornerback Trae Waynes, but the 2015 draft is also when Minnesota wound up with linebacker Eric Kendricks, pass rusher Danielle Hunter, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
So getting a slot in the top third of the draft order will not only be beneficial for the Vikings in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but it will allow them to get some of the best prospects who are still available in the second, third, and fourth rounds too as well.
Of course, Minnesota could also use the No. 11 pick and some of their other selections to move up in the first round of the 2024 draft to select one of this year's top quarterback prospects.
Some of the most recent players to be drafted with the 11th overall selection include offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (Tennessee Titans), wide receiver Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints), quarterback Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (New York Jets), offensive lineman Jonah Williams (Cincinnati Bengals), and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins).
It will certainly be interesting to see how Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah approaches this year's NFL Draft.
Will he be content with remaining at pick No. 11 and choosing from whoever is left on the board, or will he make a move to trade up and select one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 class?