Vikings Draft 2024: Post-Super Bowl 7-round mock draft
By Luke Parrish
Fifth-Round Pick No. 1 (155th Overall)
Ray Davis - RB (Kentucky)
The Vikings do not necessarily have to take a running back at this spot because there are still plenty of good backs available at this stage, but Ray Davis is too good to pass up. He was a star for Kentucky last season and finally broke out in the SEC.
He forces missed tackles as well as just about any running back in this class and has the ability to be a lead back and a short-yardage monster for a team that already has a speed back. Pairing him with Ty Chandler and splitting some of the primary reps with Alexander Mattison might be a significant move for the Vikings.
While I think Chandler is better than Mattison, I still do not believe he can be a primary option in an NFL backfield until he improves in pass protection. Mattison will likely return to the roster in 2024 for that very reason, but Davis would be a fun option as the third running back on the offense.
The expectations would not be high for Davis in his first season but he can still be an extra piece in the offense. He put up some massive numbers against the best teams in the SEC last season and had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl.