The Minnesota Vikings fired up a memorable draft last week, adding seven new players and 17 more undrafted free agents thereafter.
3 Big Winners from the Vikings 2024 Draft
This was the haul:
- R1: J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
- R1: Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
- R4: Khyree Jackson (CB, Oregon)
- R6: Walter Rouse (OT, Oklahoma)
- R6: Will Reichard (K, Alabama)
- R7: Michael Jurgens (C, Wake Forest)
- R7: Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT, Texas A&M University-Commerce)
And the undrafted free agents:
- Matt Cindric (OL)
- K.J. Cloyd (LB)
- Jeremy Flax (OL)
- Dallas Gant (LB)
- Devron Harper (WR)
- You James (WR)
- Jeshaun Jones (WR)
- Trey Knox (THE)
- Tyler Manoa (DL)
- Donovan Manuel (LB)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB)
- Gabriel Murphy (OLB)
- Doug Nester (OL)
- Owen Porter (OLB)
- Bo Richter (OLB)
- Spencer Rolland (OL)
- Diamond Check (DL)
Accordingly, these players’ job security rose after the draft. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Blake Brandel (LG)
Dalton Risner hasn’t returned, and no other starting guards were signed or drafted. Brandel, on the other hand, is back for three years and $9.5 million.
It seems this man will start at left guard for the 2024 Vikings. Minnesota could’ve drafted a left guard last weekend, but it did not. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might also sign a free agent like Greg Van Roten, but for now, Brandel is penciled in the soft lead as the team’s LG.
Not many thought Brandel as the starter was possible when the offseason began. Here we are. He’s having a wonderful offseason.
2. Ty Chandler (RB)
Ty Chandler will still see considerable action in 2024, but the addition of Aaron Jones severely reduced the possibility of Chandler becoming the team’s bellcow option.
Still, zero running backs emerged from the draft or undrafted free agency when the draft shook down. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, sans the addition of someone like Kareem Hunt, Chandler can be tabbed for RB2 duty and probably snag about 35%-40% of the team’s rushing attempts in 2024.
In every NFL draft — these days anyway — great, good, and decent running backs can be plucked from Rounds 2-7, but Minnesota did not take the plunge. It’s Jones and Chandler unless something drastic changes in the next four months.
3. Brandon Powell (WR)
Take the logic applicable to Chandler and duplicate it for Powell.
The Vikings have Powell, Jalen Nailor, and Trent Sherfield on deck for WR3 auditions this summer, and most believe Powell is in the pole position. During the draft, Adofo-Mensah could’ve selected Javon Baker, Jamari Thrash, or Luke McCaffrey, and Vikings fans would have spent the next few months claiming that guy could grab the WR3 job.
But like wide receiver, Minnesota drafted zero wideouts. Unless it signs Hunter Renfrow or Allen Robinson, for example, Powell has a clear path to the third wide receiver spot.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.