Where the Vikings 2024 Draft Class Stands Now

I like to take a look at how Vikings draft classes are performing two years down the line. The idea is that two years of football are ample to start forming an opinion on whether the draft picks are looking like they’re going to be successful. This year is the turn of the Vikings 2024 draft class.

Where the Vikings 2024 Draft Class Stands Now

The Vikings’ fourth-round pick was corner Khyree Jackson, who tragically passed away just two months after being drafted by the Vikings. Unfortunately, the world never got to see what he could have been on an NFL football field. He’s being excluded from the analysis but he hasn’t been forgotten.

Six players that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted back in 2024 are all still on the roster – for now at least. Let’s take a closer look at how the Minnesota Vikings 2024 draft class is performing two seasons in, from early-round starters to depth players fighting for bigger roles and those just trying to hang on to a roster spot.

JJ McCarthy (QB) – Round 1, Pick 10

Current Situation: QB2 for the Vikings.

The “QB battle” is over with Kyler Murray named the Vikings’ starting QB for the 2026 season. It’s another bump in the road for JJ McCarthy, who was drafted as the 10th overall pick by Minnesota in 2024. Has seen his rookie season lost to injury, his second season saw him in and out of the team with injuries, and when he did play, it was often not pretty. 

Now in Year 3 his starting role has gone, but it is probably too early to say this latest news is terminal for McCarthy’s career in Minnesota. Murray’s recent injury record is also a concern. For now, McCarthy has to wait and see if he gets another chance.

If this is it for McCarthy there is no way of sugarcoating it. When you trade up into the top 10 for a QB and he is potentially finished by the start of his third season then it is a disaster. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already departed Minnesota; Kevin O’Connell will need positive results on the field to avoid the same fate.

Dallas Turner (Edge) – Round 1, Pick 17

Current Situation: Set to be Vikings starting OLB for the first time.

Dallas Turner can be the saving grace of this draft. With the surprise departure of Jonathan Greenard, Turner has been thrust into not only a starting role, but one where he is the team’s leading pass rusher.

Andrew Van Ginkel is a versatile edge defender who will be asked to do many different things by Brian Flores. Turner’s job will be to lead the pass rush. He showed glimpses of promise last season especially when filling in for the injured Greenard for large parts of the back end of the season.

Finishing the season with 8 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 passes defended, Turner is ready to kick on in 2026.

Walter Rouse (Tackle) – Round 6, Pick 17

Current Situation: Battling to keep his place as a backup tackle with the Vikings.

Walter Rouse has spent a couple of seasons as a depth player on the Vikings. He only got on the field for 88 offensive snaps in 2025 amid the team’s OL injury crisis. He did show some pass-blocking ability in that small sample size but Minnesota signed Ryan Van Demark and drafted Caleb Tiernan drafted in the third round. Rouse is facing an uphill battle to keep his place on the Vikings roster.

Will Reichard (Kicker) – Round 6, Pick 203

Current Situation: Vikings Kicker.

Some people frown upon drafting a kicker but the Vikings did so in 2024 with Will Reichard. Importantly, they drafted a good one with Reichard earning first-team All-Pro honors in just his second season. He only missed two kicks all season – one of which was the somewhat controversial Skycam wire incident in Week 5 – and broke the record for the Vikings’ longest field goal with a successful attempt from 62 yards. Reichard is not just accurate (he is 100% on extra points in his career) but has also proven he has a big leg with multiple successful attempts from 60+ yards. Minnesota had problems at kicker before drafting him but Reichard looks to have solved it.

Michael Jurgens (Center) – Round 7, Pick 230

Current Situation: Battling to remain the Vikings backup center or guard depth.

Minnesota has turned to Blake Brandel to be the starting center, which leaves Michael Jurgens and seventh-round rookie Gavin Gerhardt fighting to be the backup. Jurgens does have experience playing guard in college that can help him keep a roster spot, although he is somewhat undersized for that position and relies on good technique to succeed – particularly in run blocking. Jurgens’ versatility should lead to another year on the roster with the Vikings lacking any decent veteran IOL depth.

Levi Drake Rodriguez (Defensive Line) – Round 7, Pick 232

Current Situation: Important depth player on the Vikings defensive line.

For a seventh-round pick, Levi Drake Rodriguez is proving to be a roaring success as the last pick of the Vikings 2024 draft class. After making it onto the field a handful of times in his rookie season, he made significant strides in Year 2 as a valuable depth player in the rotation. Minnesota parted ways with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave after just one season and opted to strengthen the defensive line through the draft. The Vikings have high hopes for first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange but Rodriguez should see plenty of opportunity.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.