Fifth-Year Option Tracker

Of the 32 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, 18 had their fifth-year options picked up. That’s a far better showing than last year when only 12 players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft had their fifth-year options picked up. This little bureaucratic procedure is often the first sign as to how teams view the progress of their recent first round picks. So, the first round of the 2021 draft has been much more successful than the first round of the 2020 draft. Actually, 19 of the 32 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft are scheduled to reach the fifth year with the team that drafted them. The Baltimore Ravens signed receiver Rashod Bateman to a modest extension earlier this offseason. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the 2021 first rounders. Four of the five quarterbacks (Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones) selected in the top half of the first round had their options declined. Only Trevor Lawrence has approached the success expected of a quarterback selected at the top of a draft.  

Here’s the full list of 2021 first round picks with their fifth-year options. 

Players who had their options picked up are in bold:

1.   Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars - $25.664 million

2.   Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (via trade w/Jets) - $22.408

3.   Trey Lance, QB, Dallas Cowboys (via trade w/49ers) - $22.408

4.   Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons - $10.878

5.   Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals - $21.816

6.   Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins - $15.591

7.   Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions - $19.04

8.   Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers - $12.472

9.   Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos - $19.802

10. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles - $15.591

11. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears - $25.664

12. Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys - $24.007

13. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers - $19.04

14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, New York Jets - $15.313

15. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots - $25.664

16. Zaven Collins, LB, Arizona Cardinals - $13.251

17. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Las Vegas Raiders - no option/released

18. Jaelan Phillips, LB, Miami Dolphins - $13.251

19. Jamin Davis, LB, Washington Commanders - $14.483

20. Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (via trade w/Giants) - $14.345

21. Kwity Paye, Edge, Indianapolis Colts - $13.387

22. Caleb Farley, CB, Tennessee Titans - $12.472

23. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota Vikings - $16.037

24. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - $6.79

25. Travis Etienne, RR, Jacksonville Jaguars - $6.143

26. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns - $13.377

27. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

28. Payton Turner, Edge, New Orleans Saints - $13.387

29. Eric Stokes, CB, Green Bay Packers - $12.472

30. Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Buffalo Bills - $13.387

31. Odafe Oweh, LB, Baltimore Ravens - $13.251

32. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $13.251

Penei Sewell and DeVonta Smith had their fifth-year options picked up by the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Both, then, signed big, long-term extensions with their teams. As mentioned earlier, the Ravens signed Rashod Bateman to a modest extension rather than bother with the fifth-year option. 

Favorite Draft Picks: AFC

Here are some of my favorite draft picks of the AFC teams.

Baltimore Ravens

1. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

I often have a tough time selecting a favorite Ravens draft pick. They typically have about five or six contenders. While I do like Penn State edge Adisa Isaac, it’s easy to go with Nate Wiggins.

Cincinnati Bengals 

2. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

Perhaps it’s from following J.J. McCarthy fairly close for the past couple seasons but I really liked several of the Michigan players. Kris Jenkins was one of my favorites.

Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State

I really liked the Steelers draft. I really liked the way the team addressed their needs on the offensive line. There are several contenders for my favorite Steelers pick. I’m going with the talented guard from little South Dakota State, Mason McCormick. 

Cleveland Browns

3. Zak Zinter, G, Michigan

Another Michigan player. If not for a brutal injury at the end of last season, Zak Zinter might’ve gone a round, or two, earlier. 

Buffalo Bills

2. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Unlike most of my favorite draft picks, Keon Coleman reached this lofty honor after the draft. His media interactions have been hilarious. On and off the field, he’s going to be a fun player. 

New York Jets

5. Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts

I discovered Qwan’tez Stiggers when I was startled that a Canadian Football League cornerback was playing in the East West Shrine Game. It was a “what the hell is going on here” moment. Then I learned about Stiggers’ unusual football path. I was soon a fan. 

New England Patriots

1. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Through the pre-draft process, J.J. McCarthy and Drake Maye emerged as my favorite quarterbacks for the Vikings. I liked McCarthy but I hoped for Maye because it seemed like the Vikings preferred him. Through it all, I really came to like Maye. I feel bad that he fell to a team that really has nothing to offer him. That tends to happen when the most talented quarterbacks are selected by the least talented teams.

Miami Dolphins

1. Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

How can you not like a football player named Chop? He’s also a terrific football player. He emerged as one of my favorites as soon as I saw him choppin’ it up on the Penn State defense. 

Indianapolis Colts

1. Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Due to the USC, UCLA, and Washington’s destruction of the Pac-12 conference, the Cal-UCLA rivalry was already coming to an end. Still, I’m glad that Cal no longer has to face Laiatu Latu. He was a menace and I’m glad that he’s now in the NFL.

Jacksonville Jaguars

2. Maason Smith, DT, LSU

Prior to the draft, Maason Smith said that he might be selected late in the first round. I was hopeful that he was nuts. Due to an injury-impacted college career, I had pre-draft hopes that Smith might be available when the Vikings finally selected on Day 3. The Jaguars grabbed him with the 16th pick of the second round. He wasn’t nuts. 

Houston Texans

2. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Texans selected Kamari Lassiter with the pick that once belonged to the Vikings. I’m not sure if that’s why Lassiter is the pick here.

Tennessee Titans

2. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Between JC Latham and T’Vondre Sweat, the Titans selected about 700 lbs of football players with their first two picks. Sweat had a bit of a yo-yo of a draft evaluation process. He started it as a possible first or second round pick. Then a DUI arrest dropped him to a possible Day 3 pick in the minds of many. Finally, he was selected with the sixth pick of the second round. Despite the DUI mistake, Sweat was one of the more intriguing players in the draft. 

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Patrick Mahomes is a ridiculously talented quarterback. An aspect of that ridiculous talent is that it doesn’t really matter the talent at the other end of his passes. He simply makes his offense go. Anyway, in Xavier Worthy, Andy Reid and the rest of the team’s play-designers will now have a player with insane speed. A fun offense gets more fun. 

Los Angeles Chargers

3. Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

Another Michigan player. It’s no wonder this team won a national title. It was peppered with many terrific players in this draft. Most great teams are. The Wolverines had a terrific defense. Junior Colson and Mike Sainristil were the heartbeat of that defense. 

Denver Broncos

5. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

I wasn’t a fan of the Broncos draft. Maybe it’s because I’m not a fan of the clown that coaches them. It came down to Oregon receiver Troy Franklin and Kris Abrams-Draine. I went with the aggressive corner from Missouri.

Las Vegas Raiders

1. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Some talent evaluators had Brock Bowers as the most talented player in the draft. After the quarterbacks, he could reasonably have been selected anywhere from #4 to apparently #13. Bowers will be a top target for any quarterback the Raiders trot onto the field. 

Favorite Draft Picks: NFC

Here are some of my favorite draft picks of the NFC teams.

Minnesota Vikings

1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

It’s gotta be the quarterback. I’ve grown so damn tired of the Vikings settling for quarterbacks. Finally, they aggressively sought to draft a talented quarterback. Now, J.J. McCarthy has to develop into the team’s first franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season.

Chicago Bears

1. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

In a draft filled with talented receivers, Rome Odunze emerged as my favorite. It’s a shame he ended up in Chicago. 

Detroit Lions

1. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

2. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

The Detroit Lions secondary was a mess last year. They clearly wanted to remedy that situation in this draft. Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are two of the best five best players on the Lions defense and they haven’t played a snap. 

Green Bay Packers

7. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

The Packers selected their quarterback of the future in the seventh round.

New York Giants

3. Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

Andru Phillips was one of the corners I hoped would find his way to Minnesota. Unfortunately, the Vikings didn’t have a Day 2 pick.

Dallas Cowboys

3. Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

Cooper Beebe was another player I hoped would be selected by the Vikings. Again, no Day 2 pick made that difficult.

Washington Commanders

2. Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

Between Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristril, the Commanders selected two of my favorite players in the entire draft. I’ll go with Sainristril as my favorite. It won’t be long until he was one of the better nickel corners in the league. 

Philadelphia Eagles

1. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

When the Vikings traded from #23 to #17 in the first round, I wouldn’t have been disappointed if it was for Quinyon Mitchell. I prefer Dallas Turner but I wouldn’t have been disappointed if Mitchell was the target. With transferring to bigger schools being all the rage in college football, Mitchell showed loyalty to Toledo. Sticking with the smaller school did nothing to hinder his NFL projection. He was the top corner in the draft. 

Atlanta Falcons

1. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

I like Michael Penix Jr. but he’s the pick simply because his selection came just over a month after the Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a bunch of money. Cousins left Minnesota partly because the Vikings were honest with him about adding a quarterback early in this draft. The Falcons weren’t honest with him. I think that’s hilarious.

New Orleans Saints

5. Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh

It’s easy to like a receiver, or any player, named Bub. As for his football potential, Bub Means was a receiver I hoped the Vikings might consider later in the draft.

Carolina Panthers

1. Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

The Panthers finally decided to draft a talented receiver for last year’s #1 pick, Bryce Young. I wasn’t convinced that Jonathan Mingo was that player last year. I’m more convinced that Xavier Legette is that player this year. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Graham Barton, C, Duke

I liked Graham Barton before the draft and I like him now because he has the versatility to play anywhere on the offensive line. Very few players can do that. He’s projected to play on the interior. 

San Francisco 49ers

2. Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

The 49ers selected a few players that I really liked. Despite my fondness for receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, I’m going with the feisty cornerback from Florida State, Renardo Green. 

Seattle Seahawks

1. Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

This one’s easy. Byron Murphy II was one of my favorite players in the draft. If the Vikings didn’t need to address their quarterback situation, Murphy probably would’ve been the pick at #11. 

Los Angeles Rams

3. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

From following J.J. McCarthy somewhat closely the past couple seasons, it was easy to fall for Blake Corum. He’s a fun runner. 

Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr. edges out Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson. Rome Odunze might’ve been my favorite receiver in this draft but Harrison wasn’t far behind. 

 

Some Of My Favorite Team Drafts

Giving team grades immediately following the NFL Draft is even more ridiculous exercise than mock drafts. I’d rather pick favorite drafts. Here are some of my favorite team drafts from the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Minnesota Vikings

1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

1. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

4. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

6. Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma

6. Will Reichard, K, Alabama

7. Michael Jurgens, G/C, Wake Forest

7. Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce

Of course, the Minnesota Vikings had one of my favorite drafts. I was on board with the Vikings trading a bunch to get where they needed to get to secure their quarterback of the future. They had plenty of draft capital to spend as they entered this draft with two #1s this year and a #1 next year. All three #1s were the keys to a new quarterback. The Vikings had to come out of the first round, the top of the first round, with that quarterback. I was to the point where I really didn’t care what it cost. I’ve spent too many decades watching the Vikings settle for a quarterback. Enough. Be agressive. Throughout the draft process, I had J.J. McCarthy and North Carolina’s Drake Maye as my 1a and 1b. I mostly leaned McCarthy but figured that the Vikings shot-callers preferred Maye. I assumed that they needed to get into the top-5 for either. The Vikings tried to get to #3 for Maye. When that failed, they waited for McCarthy. They were more brave than I would’ve been. It turned out to be a brilliant strategy as the Vikings were able to select McCarthy after an insurance trade-up from #11 to #10. It was brilliant as they were able to get their quarterback without giving up their second #1 this year and their #1 next year. Never in my most optimistic pre-draft dreams did I see the Vikings getting their quarterback and an impact defensive player in the first round. There was no way that defensive player could be Alabama edge Dallas Turner. He was a top-10 player and arguably the top defensive player in this draft. The Vikings added two foundational players in the first round. Sitting out Day 2 was rough. I spent that evening thinking about Day 1. Day 3 brought another potential defensive starter in Oregon corner Khyree Jackson. After a slow start to his college career, his best football is ahead of him. His 6’4” length is his super power. Oklahoma offensive tackle Walter Rouse and Wake Forest G/C Michael Jurgens provide offensive line depth and potentially more. One of the Vikings most glaring holes is interior offensive line. Rouse projects as the team’s swing tackle. Perhaps, he can bump inside. More likely, Jurgens emerges as a sleeper candidate for playing time. The Vikings really need someone to emerge at left guard. The Vikings, and all Vikings fans, hope that Will Reichard ends the team’s long-runnning kicking woes. Then there’s Levi Drake Rodriguez. Along with interior offensive line, defensive line is big need. I expected the Vikings to select a defensive lineman earlier than the seventh round. Rodriguez might be the most interesting player to come out of this draft. He’s a live-wire in an interview. He looks like a live-wire on the field. The energy he brings is infectious. It’s fairly easy to see McCarthy, Turner, Jackson, and Reichard making an early and significant impact. I can easily see the possibility of Rodriguez putting this draft class over the top. 

The other favorite team drafts

Arizona Cardinals

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

1. Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

2. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

3. Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

3. Isaiah Adams, OT, Illinois

3. Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

3. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College

4. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

5. Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson

5. Christian Jones, OT, Texas

6. Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB

7. Jaden Davis, CB, Miami

It’s easy to like the Arizona Cardinals draft as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson were two of my favorites. It didn’t end with those two. Max Melton, Trey Benson, and Elijah Jones, and Xavier Thomas emerged as favorites after learning more about them.

Cincinnati Bengals

1. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

2. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

3. Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

3. McKinley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

4. Erick All, TE, Iowa

5. Josh Newton, CB, TCU

6. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona

6. Cedric Johnson, Edge, Mississippi

7. Daijahn Anthony, S, Mississippi 

7. Matt Lee, C, Miami

The Cincinnati Bengals sure like their offensive tackles on the huge side. Amarius Mims makes a tremendously beefy group even more beefy. Kris Jenkins is a favorite. I really wanted him in Minnesota. Jermaine Burton, McKinley Jackson, Erick All, Josh Newton, Cedric Johnson all intrigued me during the long pre-draft process.

Detroit Lions

1. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

2. Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri

4. Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia

4. Sione Vaki, S, Utah

6. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

6. Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

I hate including the Detroit Lions on this list but I can’t deny what they did in this draft. Their secondary was a joke last year. They sure addressed that joke in this draft. Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. Mekhi Wingo and Christian Mahogany were a couple players I would’ve liked to see in Minnesota.

Los Angeles Chargers

1. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

2. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

3. Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

4. Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama

5. Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland

5. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

6. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy

7. Brenden Rice, WR, USC

7. Cornelius Johnson, WR

Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, Junior Colson, and Justin Eboigbe all project as early contributors, if not starters. I really liked later picks Cam Hart and Kimani Vidal. And the Chargers added Jerry Rice’s kid. 

Los Angeles Rams

1. Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

2. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

3. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

3. Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

5. Brennan Jackson, Edge, Washington State

6. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

6. Joshua Karty, K, Stanford

6. Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas

6. Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

7. KT Leveston, G, Kansas State

The Los Angeles Rams finally returned to the first round. Despite not having a first round pick for so many years, I feel like I’ve often liked their drafts. From Jared Verse to KT Leveston, the Rams added 10 players with intriguing potential. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

2. Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

3. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

4. Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State

6. Logan Lee, DT, Iowa

6. Ryan Watts, CB, Texas

The Pittsburgh Steelers attacked their offensive line situation much like the Lions attacked their cornerback situation. Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick will soon be starting for the Steelers. Now, they just need a quarterback. 

Minnesota Vikings Post-Draft Roster

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. With the draft picks and undrafted signings, the Minnesota Vikings added 24 players to the roster. The additions puts the team’s roster at the offseason roster limit of 90 players. 

Offense (44)

Quarterbacks (4)

Sam Darnold

J.J. McCarthy

Nick Mullens

Jaren Hall

Running Backs (5)

Aaron Jones

Ty Chandler

Kene Nwangwu

DeWayne McBride

Myles Gaskin

Fullback (1)

C.J. Ham

Receivers (14)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Brandon Powell

Jalen Nailor

Trent Sherfield

N’Keal Harry

Trishton Jackson

Lucky Jackson

Thayer Thomas

Daylen Baldwin

Malik Knowles

Ty James

Devron Harper

Jershaun Jones

Tight Ends (5)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Johnny Mundt

Nick Muse

Trey Knox

Offensive Linemen (15)

Christian Darrisaw

Blake Brandel

Garrett Bradbury

Ed Ingram

Brian O’Neill

David Quessenberry

Walter Rouse

Michael Jurgens

Dan Feeney

Henry Byrd

Tyrese Robinson

Jeremy Flax

Doug Nester

Matt Cindric

Spencer Rolland

Defense (42)

Defensive Linemen (9)

Harrison Phillips

Jaquelin Roy

Jonathan Bullard

Jerry Tillery

Jihad Ward

Jonah Williams

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Taki Taimani

Tyler Manoa

Outside Linebackers (8)

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Patrick Jones II

Andre Carter

Gabriel Murphy

Bo Richter

Owen Porter

Inside Linebackers (8)

Ivan Pace Jr.

Blake Cashman

Brian Asamoah

Kamu Grugier-Hill

Abraham Beauplan

Dallas Gant

Donovan Manuel

K.J. Cloyd

Cornerbacks (11)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Mekhi Blackman

Shaq Griffin

Akayleb Evans

Andrew Booth Jr.

Najee Thompson

Khyree Jackson

A.J. Green III

Joejuan Williams

Jaylin Williams

Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (6)

Harrison Smith

Camryn Bynum

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Lewis Cine

Jay Ward

Special Teams (4)

Kickers (2)

Will Reichard

John Parker Romo

Punter (1)

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePoala

Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agents

As soon as the 2024 NFL Draft ended, the race was on to sign the players that weren’t selected. The race actually starts before the draft ends. The Minnesota Vikings are supplementing their draft class with a large undrafted free agent class. Perhaps inspired by the successes of Ivan Pace Jr. and NaJee Thompson last season, the Vikings signed 17 players that went undrafted. 

Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agents

Matt Cindric, OL, California

K.J. Cloyd, LB, Miami

Jeremy Flax, OL, Kentucky

Dallas Grant, LB, Toledo

Devron Harper, WR, Mercer

Ty James, WR, Mercer

Jeshaun James, WR, Maryland

Trey Knox, TE, South Carolina

Tyler Manoa, DL, Arizona

Donovan Manuel, LB, Florida International

Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas

Gabriel Murphy, OLB UCLA

Doug Nester, OL, West Virginia

Owen Porter, OLB, Marshall

Bo Richter, OLB, Air Force

Spencer Rolland, OL, North Carolina

Taki Taimani, DL, Oregon

There were many mock drafts in which I targeted Arkansas corner Dwight McGlothern and UCLA edge Gabriel Murphy in the mid rounds. In the real thing, the Vikings got both as undrafted free agents. I think both will challenge for roster spots. I’m also intrigued by Taki Taimani and Dallas Grant. Taimani is a 6’3” 330lb space-eater. The Vikings don’t have a player like that on the defensive line. They could really use a player like that on the defensive line. 

Other undrafted notables:

I like seeing another Cal player on the roster. Matt Cindric joins former Golden Bear teammate Cam Bynum in Minnesota.

It’s interesting to see a pair of Mercer receivers. The Vikings could use some receiver depth. In particular, they could use receiver depth from a player with return skills. 

The Vikings now roster two outside linebackers from military academies. Last year, Andre Carter was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Army. This year, Bo Richter was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Air Force. 

Best of luck to all of the new Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Draft: Day 3

The Minnesota Vikings sat out Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. It was a damn thrill to see them return to the draft on Day 3. It wasn’t the thrills of Day 1 but that happens when over 100 players are taken off of the board. 

The Vikings Draft: Day 3 Haul:

4(108). Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

6(177). Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma

6(203). Will Reichard, K, Alabama

7(230). Michael Jurgens, G/C, Wake Forest

7(232). Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce

In all of my pre-draft deliberations and mockings, I always had a mid-round cornerback indecision. Cam Hart or Khyree Jackson. At 6’3”, each is a big corner with traits unique to that sort of length. I often leaned Hart. The Vikings selected Jackson with Hart still available. 

A drafted kicker is typically the front-runner to taking the job. It would be shocking if Will Reichard is not the Vikings kicker this season, and hopefully many seasons. The kicking inconsistencies that have plagued this franchise for too damn long must end. 

Walter Rouse, Michael Jurgens, and Levi Drake Rodriguez are sixth and seventh round picks. Due to the need at the position, I assumed that tackle Walter Rouse was drafted to move inside. Left guard is currently up for the taking. Perhaps Rouse is the taker. Rouse could also have been drafted to be the team;s swing tackle. Veteran David Quessenberry hardly has that role locked down. 

If nothing else, Rouse and Michael Jurgens could provide some offensive line depth. 

Then there’s Levi Drake Rodriguez. When his draft selection hit the ticker, I couldn’t help bit wonder how I knew that name. I could not remember how I knew that name. Then I heard ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates talking about Rodriguez. Yates was tru\ying to stump Kiper. It didn’t work.Kiper knew all about Rodriguez, I feel like Vikings fans will know him soon. It’s tough to judge a player that played at the level  of Texas A&M Commerce. Rodriguez is a player that feels ready and able to surprise. 

So, the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. Despite the wheeling and dealing of the early rounds, the Vikings came out of the draft with the following seven players. 

1(10). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

1(17). Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

4(108). Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

6(177). Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma

6(203). Will Reichard, K, Alabama

7(230). Michael Jurgens, G/C, Wake Forest

7(232). Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce

That’s a fine continuation of a productive offseason.