C+
Minnesota Vikings
McCarthy is the Vikings' new face under center. Grade: C+.
by dmulligan ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 15 picks
· 5 steals
· 4 reaches
The search is over. The Vikings handed the keys to J.J. McCarthy, and the whole operation now runs on his development.
If Gore Jr. pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about. The Travis pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
For all the activity, tight end went untouched, which is hard to explain. They will answer for taking cornerback early while tight end and interior defensive lineman went begging.
Hit on J.J. McCarthy and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 11 they get a passer to set the clock by, a steep price for the projection. Exactly the need they had to hit.
A reach on Kris Jenkins in the 42nd overall pick; the board had better options right there. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Rod Moore in pick No. 75. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
No edge and no loss on Max Melton in Round 4, Pick 8; it is a wash and a sensible one. A minor itch, scratched.
A big swing on Frank Gore Jr. at the 110th pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A tidy little value on Cedric Gray in pick 125, a step better than break-even. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Of all the spots to shop, they chose cornerback. Khyree Jackson in the Round 4 slot leaves tight end and interior defensive lineman for later.
Cedric Johnson at slot 148 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They will replay Jordan Travis at No. 163 for years; that is how good the value is. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Ainias Smith at the 164th overall pick. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Chau Smith-Wade at Round 5, Pick 35 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
No drama and no debate, Jaylen Harrell went about where he belonged in pick 179. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Darius Muasau at pick No. 186 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.
Isaiah Davis in the Round 7 slot is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Donovan Jennings at slot 247 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.