B-
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings left with their quarterback, and a B- to match.
by Bull ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 2 steals
· 3 reaches
Start where it matters. The Vikings took J.J. McCarthy to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one. It does the job without flash, and the B- reflects it.
They will need McCarthy to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. For all the activity, safety went untouched, which is hard to explain. The Dixon pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with safety, running back and other spots still on the board.
That is an edge rusher worth more than the slot they spent on him, plainly.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the safety spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 11th overall pick they get the face of the franchise, though the board says they badly overpaid. The biggest hole, addressed.
They paid up for Jackson Powers-Johnson at No. 42 when waiting would have done the job. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Good price on Khyree Jackson in Round 4, Pick 8, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
They bypassed pressing needs at safety, running back and other spots to take Johnny Dixon, a cornerback that was not the priority.
Justin Rogers at slot 148 is a conviction pick that outran the value. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Keith Randolph Jr. at the 160th pick is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Austin Booker at pick No. 165 is money in the bank, a edge rusher taken below his worth. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Michael Barrett in pick 179 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
No edge and no loss on Matthew Jones in pick 230; it is a wash and a sensible one. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.