The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp’s 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren’s deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let’s look at the Minnesota Vikings, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Minnesota Vikings rookies?
- J.J. McCarthy — QB — Round 1
- Dallas Turner — EDGE — Round 1
- Khyree Jackson — CB — Round 4
- Walter Rouse — OT — Round 6
- Will Reichard — K — Round 6
- Michael Jurgens — C — Round 7
- Levi Drake Rodriguez — DT — Round 7
Minnesota Vikings Draft Class Grade:
The Minnesota Vikings received a B- draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Vikings Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Vikings did their best to move up for Drake Maye, but when the Patriots rejected their best offer, Minnesota’s front office played the waiting game perfectly. A more impatient general manager would have immediately turned around and made a similar offer to move up for J.J. McCarthy (first round) to ensure they got their quarterback, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah played it cool and only needed to move up one spot to land their backup plan.
McCarthy has a clear path to the field in 2024, but don’t be surprised if Sam Darnold gets an extended run due to McCarthy’s inexperience. Even though McCarthy was a two-year starter on a great team, the game was seldom on his shoulders. In Michigan’s four biggest games last year (Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama, Washington), McCarthy attempted just five passes at 10 or more yards downfield in the second half.
So we’ve simply never seen McCarthy forced to sit in the pocket and make tough decisions and clutch throws downfield. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it, but it does mean he probably needs more time to develop.
The move up for Dallas Turner (first round) was more aggressive and harder to justify, as the Vikings parted with their 2025 third and fourth-round picks. Turner does fill a glaring need, however, and should see significant action immediately, even if it’s not in a starting role. In 2023, Turner generated a 19.6% pressure rate, ranked seventh among Power Five edge rushers. He’s less consistent against the run, which may limit his early-down snaps this season.
A promising prospect, Khyree Jackson was tragically killed in a car accident on July 6.
Walter Rouse (sixth round) had a strong season at Oklahoma, but the Sooners’ scheme may have covered up some warts. Oklahoma quarterbacks took a traditional dropback of three or more steps just 32% of the time. Minnesota did so at a 59% rate last year. The previous season at Stanford, Rouse was more of a liability, but he has the length to play tackle and might have the power to shift inside to guard, which potentially gives him valuable versatility in a reserve role.
Scouting kickers is tough, and the track record of the first kicker off the board is not great as a result. Still, the Vikings gambled on Will Reichard (sixth round). Since 2014, the first kicker off the board has lasted more than one season with the team that drafted him only twice: Evan McPherson of the Bengals and Jake Moody, assuming he makes the 49ers roster this year. Reichard has a big leg – he hit eight of 10 from 50 or more yards over the last two years – so he should have elite range inside a dome and will be expected to win the job.
Michael Jurgens (seventh round) should earn a roster spot as a reserve offensive lineman. He has starting experience at guard and center over his six years at Wake Forest. Levi Drake Rodriguez (seventh round) spent five seasons at two lower-division schools. It’s hard to project how that transition will go, but he has potential as an interior pass-rusher.
Minnesota pushed all their chips to the center with this class. This is a career-defining draft for Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, who are likely betting their jobs on the development of McCarthy. The aggressive trade up for Turner added to the pressure on this class to succeed, as Minnesota is without its second, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks in 2025.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
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