Redrafting the Vikings rookie class after the 2023 regular season

Fifth-Round Pick No. 1 (141st Overall)

Original Pick: Jaquelin Roy - DL (LSU)
Re-Draft Pick: Karl Brooks - DE (Bowling Green)

Jaquelin Roy remains an intriguing player for the Vikings for the upcoming 2024 season, but his rookie season was a bust.

He couldn't overcome Jonathan Bullard or Dean Lowry on the depth chart and only played sparingly. He missed some time due to injuries and ended up with just eight tackles on the season.

Minnesota should've gone with Karl Brooks from Bowling Green instead. The team did have him in for a visit but apparently were more wowed by Roy.

Brooks went on to be drafted by the hated Green Bay Packers and showed some playmaking ability in 2023.

The big man registered 20 tackles on the season with six tackles for a loss and a very impressive four sacks. He also defended four passes and forced a fumble.

The Vikings need young playmakers on their defense. They are a group that is aging and what they really need is a playmaker on their defensive line. Brooks isn't that just yet, but he showed a lot more than Roy did.

While it is still early, he looks like the better choice, and if the Vikings could do it over again, chances are they would've taken a different big man.