Lance Zierlein’s Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is finally next week. In honor of the draft being a week away here is a draft from another of my favorite NFL.com talent evaluators. Lance Zierlein. 

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

3. New York Giants (via New England): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

4. Minnesota Vikings (via Arizona): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

6. New England Patriots (via NY Giants): Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

11. Arizona Cardinals (via Minnesota): Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

12. Denver Broncos: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

13. Las Vegas Raiders: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

14. New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State 

15. Indianapolis Colts: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

16. Arizona Cardinals (via Seattle): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

23. Seattle Seahawks (via Arizona): Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

25. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota 

26. Washington Commanders (via Tampa Bay): Amarius Mimis, OT, Georgia

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

29. Detroit Lions: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

31. San Francisco 49ers: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Flea Flicker One-Week Out Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is only one week from today. I wish that it was today. Here’s another mock draft. It’s a lot like the last one. 

The Vikings trade #11 and #23 to the Cardinals for #4. In reality, there are probably some future picks involved to balance things. For this fake trade, only this year’s first round picks are significant. 

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

4. Minnesota Vikings (via Arizona): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State 

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

11. Arizona Cardinals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

14. New Orleans Saints: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

16. Seattle Seahawks: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

19. Los Angeles Rams: Liatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

21. Miami Dolphins: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

23. Arizona Cardinals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

25. Green Bay Packers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri

28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

29. Detroit Lions: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

30. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

31. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

Until the FINAL one. 

Bucky Brooks’ Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is finally next week. In honor of the draft being a week away here is a draft from one of my favorite talent evaluators in the media. Like his podcast partner Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks is easily one of the best in the media for the simple reason that he once did it professionally. This mock is a favorite as the Minnesota Vikings are selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye without trading up from #11. Keeping the 23rd pick and selecting Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean would be a special thing. 

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

3. New England Patriots: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

7. Tennessee Titans: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

10. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

11. Minnesota Vikings: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

12. Denver Broncos: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

14. New Orleans Saints: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

19. Los Angeles Rams: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers Johnson, C, Oregon

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

23. Minnesota Vikings: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

24. Dallas Cowboys: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

25. Green Bay Packers: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri

28. Buffalo Bills: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

29. Detroit Lions: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

31. San Francisco 49ers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Daniel Jeremiah’s Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is finally next week. In honor of the draft being a week away here is a draft from one of my favorite talent evaluators in the media. Daniel Jeremiah is easily one of the best in the media for the simple reason that he once did it professionally. 

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

4. Minnesota Vikings (via Arizona): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

5. New York Jets (via LA Chargers): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

10. Los Angeles Charger (via NY Jets): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

11. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

12. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

14. New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

21. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

23. Arizona Cardinals(via Houston/Minnesota): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

24. Dallas Cowboys: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

25. Green Bay Packers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

28. Buffalo Bills: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

30. Baltimore Ravens: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

31. San Francisco 49ers: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Best Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks By Round

The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly a week away. It will be the 64th draft in the franchise history of the Minnesota Vikings. There were 20 rounds in the 1961 NFL Draft. There were also only 14 teams in the NFL. There are only seven rounds and 32 teams today. This is a look back at some of the best Minnesota Vikings picks in each round of the past 63 drafts.

Best Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks By Round

Best First Round Pick

1967. Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame

13 Vikings players have busts in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Six of those players came to Minnesota by way of the first round.

Carl Eller (1964)

Alan Page (1967)

Ron Yary (1968)

Chris Doleman (1985)

Randall McDaniel (1988)

Randy Moss (1998)

Kevin Williams (2003) should join them one day. Adrian Peterson (2007) will be get a bust in a couple years. Harrison Smith (2012) is building a Hall argument. Justin Jefferson (2020) is currently on the right path. Any of them could be the pick here. Alan Page is my pick. Perhaps I’m a bit biased as he’s my favorite player from my six decades with the team. Even with that bias, picking the first defensive player to be named NFL MVP (1971) and one of the finest defensive tackles to ever play isn’t a questionable decision. 

Best Second Round Pick

1974. Matt Blair, LB, Iowa State

It’s safe to say that the Vikings don’t have a strong second round history. I have Matt Blair as the best of the bunch. He had a terrific 15-year career in Minnesota. He earned six consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl and was named All-Pro in 1980. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings and is inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor. The dedicated historians of the Pro Football Researchers Association inducted Blair into the Hall of Very Good. That’s the first stop of many players on their way to an eventual bust in Canton. I’m not sure if Matt Blair ever gets there but his career is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration as a Senior candidate. 

Some of the second round contenders:

Ed White (1969)

Sammy White (1976)

Dennis Swilley (1977)

Orlando Thomas (1995)

Jim Kleinsasser (1999)

E.J. Henderson (2003)

Cedric Griffin (2007)

Phil Loadholt (2009)

Kyle Rudolph (2011)

Eric Kendricks (2015)

Dalvin Cook (2017)

Brian O’Neill (2018)

Best Third Round Pick

1961. Fran Tarkenton, QB, Georgia

The best third round pick in the franchise history of the Minnesota Vikings is without question.

Best Fourth Round Pick

2010. Everson Griffen, DE, USC

If Everson Griffen didn’t have to wait behind Jared Allen for his starting shot, his career would probably shine even brighter. Once he entered the starting lineup in 2014, he was one of the league’s best pass rushers. He was a terrific, fun football player.

Some of the fourth round contenders:

Roy Winston (1962)

Paul Flatley (1963)

Reggie Rutland (1987)

Mewelde Moore (2004)

Ray Edwards (2006)

Brian Robison (2007)

Camryn Bynum (2021)

Best Fifth Round Pick

1992. Ed McDaniel, LB, Clemson

The best fifth round pick in Vikings franchise history comes down to Ed McDaniel and Stefon Diggs. I’m going with McDaniel because he played well for longer in Minnesota than Diggs. Ed McDaniel is one of the more underrated players in team history. It didn’t help that he was often overlooked during his career. He was named to one Pro Bowl but should’ve gone to a few more. For much of the 1990s he was the Vikings best defensive player not named John Randle. 

Best Sixth Round Pick

1998. Matt Birk, C, Harvard

Matt Birk is the only Vikings sixth round pick to make a sustained contribution. Next is probably the player that replaced him at center, John Sullivan. Drafted as an offensive tackle, Birk was soon moved to center. He became the starter in his third season and led one of the better offensive lines in team history for nearly a decade. He was a regular on the Pro Bowl roster, making it six times. 

Josh Metellus is a current former sixth-round pick that could go on to a real nice career. 

One of the biggest “what ifs” in Vikings franchise history is tight end Joe Senser. Drafted in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL Draft, he didn’t play as a rookie, showed promise in 1980, and exploded in 1981. 79 catches, 1004 yards, and eight touchdowns. This was an era in which tight ends were truly starting to emerge as offensive weapons. Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Newsome, and Dave Casper were starting or in the middle of their Hall of Fame careers. Senser entered their orbit in 1981. He had a modest season during the strike-shortened 1982 season and suffered a knee injury in 1983 that wiped out that season. He tried to return in 1984 but wasn’t the same and retired after the season. Just as he was emerging as one of the league’s best tight ends his career was over. It did clear the way for the best seventh-round pick in team history. 

Best Seventh Round Pick

1982. Steve Jordan, TE, Brown

While I do like Steve Jordan as the best seventh round pick in team history, it’s not an easy decision. A couple corners make it difficult.

Bobby Bryant (1967)

Carl Lee (1983)

 

Any of Steve Jordan, Bobby Bryant, and Carl Lee could be the choice here. I have Jordan now but tomorrow I might lean toward Bryant. Anyway, those with a greater say than me on matters like this agree. Jordan is the only one of the three that’s been inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor. He’s arguably the best tight end in franchise history. Just as Joe Senser was becoming a sad story of what might’ve been, Jordan was emerging as an impact player. 68 catches in 1985 and the first of six consecutive Pro Bowls in 1986. By comparison, Lee made three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro. Bryant made two Pro Bowls. 

Best Eighth Round Pick

1981. Wade Wilson, QB, East Texas State

Pickings are going to get slim from Best Eighth Round Pick to the Best Twentieth Round Pick. That’s one of the reasons there are only seven rounds now. 

Wade Wilson is an easy pick as the Best Eight Round Pick in team history. He made 48 starts over his ten years in Minnesota. In 1988, he started ten games. He guided his team to a 7-3 record in those ten starts and was named to the Pro Bowl. 

Best Ninth Round Pick

1977. Scott Studwell, LB, Illinois

No offense to Terry Allen and Brad Johnson, this decision is nearly as easy as picking Fran Tarkenton as the best of the third rounders. 

Best Tenth Round Pick

Stu Voigt, TE, Wisconsin

Stu Voigt was the tight end of my youth. He was a reliable pass catcher and very good blocker. He was probably the Vikings best blocking tight end until Jim Kleinsasser came along. 

Best Eleventh Round Pick

1961. Jerry Mays, DT, SMU

Jerry Mays had a terrific football career. Unfortunately, that terrific career was with the Kansas City Chiefs. Until the NFL-AFL merger agreement in 1966, there was an annual race to sign draft picks between the two leagues. The Vikings signed most of their draft picks but a couple got away. Mays was one of them. His ten year career with the Chiefs is littered with all-star games and All-Pro honors. 

The best 11th round pick in Vikings franchise history is either Mays or Godfrey Zaunbecher. While it’s disappointing that Mays made a terrible decision in 1961, he’s an easy pick here.

Best Twelfth Round Pick

1986. Jesse Solomon, LB, Florida State

Just as Jesse Solomon was emerging as an impact player in the Vikings defense, he was shipped to Dallas in the ridiculous Herschel Walker trade. Solomon’s inclusion in that damn trade bothered me the moment it was made. 

Best Thirteenth Round Pick

1965. Dave Osborn, RB, North Dakota

The NFL Draft dropped from 17 to 12 rounds in 1977. Dave Osborn is a real easy choice for best 13th round pick. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings. His 972 yards in 1967 was a franchise record until Chuck Foreman took over. 

Best Fourteenth Round Pick

1967. Jim Hargrove, LB, Howard Payne

Jim Hargrove gets the nod for hanging around for three seasons. No other fourteenth round pick lasted more than a single season. 

Best Fifteenth Round Pick

1971. Jeff Wright, DB, Minnesota

Jeff Wright was the only contributor that came out of the dreadful 1971 draft. First round pick Leo Hayden and Wright were the only draft picks (out of 17 rounds!) that even made the team. Hayden is one of the Vikings all-time draft busts. At least they had Wright. He stepped into the Vikings secondary in 1973 after Karl Kassulke was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident as he was heading to training camp. Wright paired with the great Paul Krause from 1973-77 to form a solid safety duo. 

Mike Mercer (1961) deserves mention for scoring the first points in Vikings franchise history. 

Best Sixteenth Round Pick

None

No sixteenth round pick ever made the team. 

Best Seventeenth Round Pick

1973. Dave Winfield, TE, Minnesota

In 1973, the Vikings took a 17th round flier on a local legend. Instead of playing football for his hometown team, Dave Winfield decided to go on to a Hall of Fame baseball career. 

As for a 17th round pick that actually played for the Vikings, there’s Bob Lee (1968). He played in Minnesota for eight years with 11 starts. The Vikings were 9-2 in those 11 starts. Lee’s most memorable run as the Vikings quarterback ended in the 1977 NFC Championship game. 

Best Eighteenth Round Pick

None

No eighteenth round pick ever made the team. 

Best Nineteenth Round Pick

None

No nineteenth round pick ever made the team. 

Best Twentieth Round Pick

1964. Milt Sunde, G, Minnesota 

The Vikings opened the 1964 NFL Draft with Carl Eller in the first round and closed it with Milt Sunde in the twentieth. Both were selected out of the University of Minnesota. From 1964-74, Sunde started 112 games at guard. He had one Pro Bowl nod in 1966. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Tracker

The 2024 NFL Draft is creeping closer. 11 more days of eager speculation. 

Here are some of the most recent mock draft predictions for the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah:

1(4): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Projected trade: Vikings send #11 and #23 to the Arizona Cardinals for #4.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks:

1(11). Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

1(23). Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Brooks doesn’t include trades in his mocks so the Vikings get lucky in his projection.

NFL.com’s Charles Davis:

1(11). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

1(23). Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm:

1(4). Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Another projected trade with the Cardinals.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

1(11). Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund:

1(11). Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

It should be noted that the mock drafts of Zierlein and Frelund were posted before the Vikings acquired a second first round pick from the Houston Texans. 

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: 

1(4). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Another projected trade with the Cardinals.

3(71). Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

4(108). Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis:

1(17). Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Perhaps to be a bit different, Lewis predicts a trade back with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

1(23). Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

2(48). Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

4(129). Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

5(157). Jalyx Hunt, Edge, Houston Christian

5(167). MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

6(177). Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Pittsburgh

7(230). Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas

7(232). JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman:

1(4). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner:

1(4). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.:

1(11). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

1(23). Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

ESPN’s Field Yates:

1(5). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Projected trade: The Vikings acquire the fifth pick from the Los Angeles Chargers. 

ESPN’s Jordan Reid:

1(11). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

ESPN’s Matt Miller:

1(3). Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Projected trade: The acquire the third pick from the New England Patriots.

4(108). Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota

4(129). Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE, Notre Dame

5(157). Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

5(167). Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn

6(177). Jha’Quan, WR, Tulane

7(230). Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, WR, Georgia

7(232). Cedric Johnson, DE, Mississippi

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer:

1(11). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

1(23). Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

4(108). Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

4(129). Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

5(157). Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh 

5(167). Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

6(177). Cedric Johnson, Edge, Mississippi

7(230). Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri

7(232). Zakhari Franklin, WR, Mississippi

CBS Sports’ Will Brinson:

1(5). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Projected trade: The Vikings send #11 and #23 to the Los Angeles Chargers for #5.

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson:

1(5). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Another projected trade with the Chargers.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso:

1(3). Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Projected trade: The Vikings trade all the way to #3 with the New England Patriots. 

***

Nearly every mock draft of note since the trade for an an extra first has the Vikings selecting J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye. This must happen. 

11 more days. 

Minnesota Vikings Top-30 Visits

A big part, perhaps the final part, of the long, extensive draft evaluation process is the Top 30 visits. Teams are allowed to bring up to 30 prospects to team facilities. These visits are done in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. Some visits are done in groups. Teams often observe how the young men interact with each other. Some visits are done on a more individual basis. Teams do not announce these visits. They are often leaked through the prospects representatives or perhaps the prospects themselves. It can be difficult to put the list of visits together. The website Walter Football has been doing so for years. 

It’s the Minnesota Vikings visits that matter most. Through the efforts of Walter Football, Tyler Forness (now with the Sporting News), and SI’s Will Ragatz, I’ve pieced together a list of 20 prospects that have visited the magnificent TCO Performance Center and met with Vikings coaches and personnel people. 

Minnesota Vikings Top-30 Visits

Erick All, TE, Iowa

Javon Baker, WR, Central Florida

Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa

Millard Bradford, S, TCU

McCallan Castles, TE, Tennessee

Joshua Cephus, WR, Texas-San Antonio

Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

Donovan Jennings, OT, South Florida

Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan

Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Gabriel Murphy, Edge, UCLA

Spencer Rolland, OL, North Carolina

Maason Smith, DT, LSU

Taki Taimani, DT, Oregon

Charles Turner III, Center, LSU

Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Blake Watson, RB, Memphis

The Quarterbacks

Then there’s the quarterbacks. This Vikings offseason is one of change at the all-important quarterback position. For that reason, it’s probably the team’s most important offseason in years, even decades. The Vikings haven’t brought in any of the quarterbacks. Instead, it’s the Vikings that have been doing the visiting. They have visited, or will visit, all of the top quarterbacks other than Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears might as well Williams now as the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. As for the remaining consensus top quarterbacks, the Vikings have sent, or will send, a party of people to visit with them and put them through class work and drills. 

Jayden Daniels

Drake Maye

J.J. McCarthy

Michael Penix Jr.

Bo Nix

I’ve wondered if the Vikings will send the party to visit with Spencer Rattler but so far it’s only the above five quarterbacks.