The 2023 school soccer season is within the books, that means we’re rapidly approaching NFL Draft season.

For the primary time within the 2024 Draft cycle, we’ll be going via a Vikings mock draft, choosing prospects for every of their eight choices on this spring’s draft. Trades will are available later mock drafts, however for now, we’re protecting it easy and simply sticking with the unique picks. Please notice that the draft order is predicated off NFLMockDraftDataBase.com.

R1, P21: Washington QB Michael Penix

Now’s the time for the Vikings to go after their QB of the longer term. Assuming the Vikings land with a choose within the early 20s, they may both commerce up for probably the greatest prospects within the class or stand pat and nonetheless land a first-round caliber QB.

Michael Penix has all kinds of arm expertise, however his damage historical past might trigger some NFL groups to be cautious of him. He was a former observe athlete in highschool and has all kinds of velocity that permits him to create performs together with his legs whereas his ridiculous arm energy makes him one of many extra intriguing QB prospects on this draft.

It’s a giant danger for the Vikings to take an opportunity on a participant who missed time in each season from 2018-2022, however Penix has the traits of an NFL participant if he can keep wholesome.

R2, P52: LSU DT Maason Smith

The Vikings have to discover a youthful playmaker at both EDGE or DT on this draft early on, and Maason Smith is an absolute freak who can instantly impression an NFL protection.

Smith stands at 6’6″ and weighs 315 kilos. His brute pressure in the course of LSU’s defensive position wreaked havoc on opposing offenses all season, and his skill to cease the run ought to make him a top-75 choose in subsequent spring’s draft.

Even higher, Smith is a freak athlete, virtually on par with that of a Jordan Davis or Jalen Carter. He ought to be capable of run effectively under 5 seconds within the 40-yard sprint on the mix, and his closing burst permits him to wrap up performs commonly.

R4, P121: Clemson RB Will Shipley

The Vikings want extra manufacturing out of the working again place, however they will must marry the abilities of no matter prospect they choose alongside these of Alexander Mattison.

Will Shipley isn’t essentially the man to bowl over defenders between the tackles, however he can create yards in a rush each on display passes in addition to outdoors zone schemes. The Clemson product has glorious velocity and has pure receiver fingers giving him the flexibility to be on the sphere in many various conditions.

R4, P127: Colorado State EDGE Mohamed Kamara

With all three of Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum getting into free company this offseason, the Vikings might use extra depth at EDGE subsequent season.

Mohamed Kamara doesn’t have the look of an elite pass-rusher, standing at simply 6’1″, however he has lengthy arms to make up for a few of that measurement drawback and shows terrific velocity and energy on the place. If Brian Flores stays the Vikings defensive coordinator subsequent yr, that is the kind of uncooked prospect that he can discover a function for.

R5, P158: Auburn CB Jaylin Simpson

The Vikings have gone with some smaller CBs with nice athleticism lately (Mekhi Blackmon, for instance), and Jaylin Simpson falls into an identical class. He might solely be 6’1″ and 180 kilos soaking moist, however the Auburn product has 4.4 velocity and lays some completely brutal hits within the secondary. His ball expertise have been on full show throughout 2023 as effectively, recording 4 interceptions.

R5, P160: Iowa IOL Connor Colby

For as soon as, the Vikings offensive line isn’t essentially an enormous want heading into 2024. 4 of the 5 starters from their 2023 line will stay underneath contract for a number of years, and there’s a stable probability that Dalton Risner will return on the left guard spot.

Nevertheless, further depth on the guard spots is rarely a nasty factor, and Connor Colby provides constructive traits in each his measurement and athleticism on the place. He was a masterful run-blocker at Iowa and may supply some further safety for the Vikings.

R6, P178: Texas A&M WR Moose Muhammad

Minnesota has some stable depth on the WR spot, however they may nonetheless use a speedy downfield risk of their offense. Maybe Jalen Nailor can nonetheless turn into that man, however we haven’t seen a lot of him with the offense in 2023.

Moose Muhammad has been taking part in that actual function within the Texas A&M offense, particularly in 2022 when he averaged 16.1 yards per reception. He has a knack for hauling within the deep passes and has the wiggle to evade tacklers downfield.

R6, P187: Florida State LB Tatum Bethune

Tatum Bethune could be the yin to Ivan Tempo’s yang within the Vikings protection. Tempo thrives as a blitzer, however he doesn’t supply a lot when it comes to go protection but. Bethune is a incredible protection linebacker, seemingly at all times discovering methods to stay to his receivers in each man and zone protection schemes.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Faculty of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing concerning the NFL, Josh enjoys working, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Take a look at his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.