The Beast, Dane Brugler’s expansive guide to the NFL Draft, is here.
The Minnesota Vikings have the 11th and 23rd picks in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 25 in Detroit. The Vikings own nine total picks in the seven-round draft.
Vikings’ draft picks
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 11 | 11 | |
1 | 23 | 23 | From Browns via Texans |
4 | 8 | 108 | |
4 | 29 | 129 | From Lions |
5 | 22 | 157 | From Browns |
5 | 32 | 167 | From Chiefs |
6 | 1 | 177 | From Panthers through Jaguars |
7 | 10 | 230 | From Falcons via Browns and Cardinals |
7 | 12 | 232 | From Broncos via Texans and 49ers |
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Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 25, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 26, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 27, Noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
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About the Vikings
• Head coach: Kevin O’Connell (third season)
• General manager: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (third season)
• Last year’s record: 7-10
Once Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings entered a new era. Most of Cousins’ hefty contract is off the books. The Vikings now have a chunk of salary cap space in the years to come — and a need at quarterback. This is the NFL team-building equivalent of a blank canvas. The draft presents some fascinating options as Minnesota shifts toward a fascinating future.
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Vikings’ key position needs
Quarterback: The Vikings currently have three options on their roster: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. None are serious long-term candidates. With picks No. 11 and 23, this is a chance to take a massive swing at the position.
Interior defensive line: The Vikings have a few reliable veterans: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard and Jonah Williams. More pass-rushing juice is needed.
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Cornerback: The Vikings could also use a lock-down cornerback. Their most promising youngster might be Mekhi Blackmon, who fits best as a slot defender. Adding a physical, man-to-man shutdown player on the outside would enhance what defensive coordinator Brian Flores can do.
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Latest mock drafts from The Athletic
April 24: Beat writer mock draft 3.0
In our final beat writer mock, the Vikings trade up to No. 5 for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.
April 22: Vikings 7-round mock draft
Quarterback Drake Maye is the choice as Alec Lewis predicts the Vikings will trade up to No. 3.
April 19: NFL analytics mock draft
Our projection model and consensus big board suggest the Vikings will trade up to No. 8.
April 17: Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft
The Vikings make a bold trade up to get McCarthy.
April 8: Nick Baumgardner mock draft
Minnesota clearly didn’t make all these trades to sit still at No. 11.
April 4: Bruce Feldman’s mock draft
Feldman’s intel suggests the Vikings will move up to No. 4 for McCarthy.
April 2: Vikings mock draft 2.0
Lewis trades down and kills two birds with one stone.
Vikings’ last five top picks
2023: WR Jordan Addison, pick No. 23 — Addison was impressive as a rookie, catching 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. Evaluators questioned his size and speed before the draft, but Addison mitigated those concerns with his production and consistency.
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2022: S Lewis Cine, pick No. 32 — The Vikings selected Cine to be an impact player at safety, but he has been a total non-factor, playing just 10 defensive snaps in two seasons. The compound fracture of his left leg affected his availability during his first year. Envisioning a significant role for him in 2024 is difficult.
2021: LT Christian Darrisaw, pick No. 23 — The only thing preventing Darrisaw from being a star is his health. He has averaged 13 starts over his first three seasons. His size and strength, however, leave no doubt about his reliability as a pass blocker and run blocker.
2020: WR Justin Jefferson, pick No. 22 — What else is there to say? Somehow, Jefferson fell to Minnesota at this pick. He has ascended to arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver. A record-breaking payday is coming.
2019: C Garrett Bradbury, pick No. 18 — Minnesota snagged Bradbury in hopes of finding an elite center. He has progressed. He turned in his best season in 2023, but calling him “elite” would be an overstatement.
(Photo of J.J. McCarthy: Harry How / Getty Images)
