The 2024 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and football fans all around the world are excited to see which college prospects could be joining their favorite team. For the Minnesota Vikings, the focal point of the draft seems to be obvious.
Most conversations about the Vikings draft center around the first round and which quarterback will be selected to lead the franchise into the future. However, Minnesota has the rights to seven picks heading into the draft.
Since they have been active in free agency, the purple and gold have filled several positions of need and locked some players down for one or more years, allowing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings brass more flexibility with their picks.
Outside of the quarterback position, there aren't too many glaring needs on Minnesota's roster that would make using a draft pick on it necessary. That said, don't be surprised if the Vikings take multiple players at the same position.
Positions where the Minnesota Vikings could double dip in the 2024 NFL Draft
Cornerback
In free agency, the Vikings got 79-game starter Shaquill Griffin to add a veteran other than Byron Murphy II to a young cornerback group that includes Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, and Andrew Booth Jr.
Minnesota would be silly to turn away a talented defensive back or two if they are available when the team is on the clock. Although their young corners need time to grow and develop, they also need to be pushed to bring out the best in them. A little competition can help bring these youthful defenders to the next level
Defensive line
Bringing in Jerry Tillery and Jonah Williams is nice, but how much can they help Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard to establish a strong presence in the trenches on defense? And should either be trusted to hang around for multiple years to hold down that job if they do succeed?
Drafting some big-bodied defenders to possibly place in the trenches would be a good idea. Since they would likely be mid to late round picks, rolling the dice on two prospects could increase the odds of one of them turning into a regular contibutor.
Offensive line
The Minnesota Vikings are set for their starting offensive tackles. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill will return and hold down those duties at a high level. Questions come up when talking about the interior of the line and depth for backups and rotational players.
Currently, Blake Brandel appears to be penciled in as the starter at left guard and Dan Feeny appears to be the primary backup. More depth and competition are needed in a huge way and making sure your quarterback of the future is well-protected is a good investment.
Quarterback
Odds are that the Minnesota Vikings will be taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Most fans and experts are expecting that to happen. But will that quarterback be the only one selected during the three-day event?
The Vikings have Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall on the roster but could easily take a chance on a late-round quarterback in addition to their first rounder. Sometimes players can slip through the cracks of the draft process and find a way to succeed as a late draft pick.