EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings made a big splash in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, picking two players at arguably the most important positions on the team: passer and pass rusher.
So, who did the Vikings select in this year’s draft? Look below for a rundown for each day of the draft.
Thursday: First round
No. 10 pick: After moving up one spot in a trade with the New York Jets, the Vikings selected former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy to be their franchise quarterback of the future.
McCarthy, 21, is coming off a national championship win, but he didn’t have to do much as a passer to get there. He threw for just 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions all season.
His NFL.com scouting profile notes a lot of intangibles — “He is confident and seems to hav the ability to take slights and digest it as competitive fuel” — but does highlight concerns about his physical ability.
Time will tell if he starts right away or sits behind veteran QB Sam Darnold for some — or all — of the upcoming season.
No. 17 pick: Minnesota moved up six spots in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to snag former Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.
In 2023, Turner started all 14 games with 53 tackles, 11 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 14.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He was named the 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
His NFL.com scouting profile says Turner is “long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher.”
Like McCarthy, Turner is 21 years old.
Friday: Second and third round
The Vikings made it through the second and third rounds without pulling the trigger on any big trade-ups or moves to obtain more draft picks. The Vikings had no picks in these two rounds and it stayed that way throughout the evening.
Saturday: Fourth through seventh round
No. 108: Cornerback Khyree Jackson (Alabama)
No. 177: Tackle Walter Rouse (Oklahoma)
No. 203: Kicker Will Reichard (Alabama)
No. 230: Offensive lineman Michael Jurgens (Wake Forest)
No. 232: Defensive lineman Drake Rodriguez (Texas A&M University-Commerce)
Undrafted free agents
The Vikings also announced 17 undrafted free agent signings following the draft.
Matt Cindric, OL, California
K.J. Cloyd, LB, Miami
Jeremy Flax, OL, Kentucky
Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo
Devron Harper, WR, Mercer
Ty James, WR, Mercer
Jeshaun Jones, 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
Murphy was considered one of the top UDFAs on the market.
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