Vikings Mock Draft: Could Minnesota really tank for Caleb Williams?

The 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and the buzz is palpable amongst fans, especially those cheering for the Minnesota Vikings. Having been dealt a tough hand so far this season, the team is now in a precarious position. However, the Vikings could find gold at the end of the rainbow in this mock draft. Caleb Williams, anyone?

Today, we delve into the Minnesota’s potential 2024 NFL Draft strategy, focusing on moving forward after securing the No. 1 overall selection (as of this writing).

Last week, we were confident the No. 1 pick would fall to the Arizona Cardinals (0-2) with the Houston Texans (0-2) pick also going to the desert. Both teams must have gotten fired up at that presumption, as they each upset potential Super Bowl contenders in Week 4.

The Vikings faced another playoff-caliber team, the LA Chargers, in a battle of the best winless teams in the NFL. The Vikes may have lost the game on the scoreboard, but for mock draft purposes, their 0-3 record puts them in the driver’s seat for Caleb Williams. Let’s complete a four-round mock draft and offer the fan base a glimpse of what could be.

The Current State Of Affairs For The Vikings: Mock Draft Helps Minnesota Define Its Future At QB

The Vikings have had a rough season so far, currently sitting at 0-4 following a string of losses. Despite the rocky start, the Vikings’ general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and head coach, Kevin O’Connell, remain resolute, pushing the team towards a “competitive rebuild”.

Amid these challenges, a silver lining emerges. The Vikings are set to enter the 2024 NFL Draft with a full complement of draft picks. They hold selections in the first, second, fourth (two), fifth (two), and sixth rounds. The details of these picks are convoluted, with trades involving the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Las Vegas Raiders playing a part in shaping the Vikings’ slate of selections in 2024.

Round 1, No. 1 Overall: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

With the first pick in this 2024 mock draft, the Vikings can select the best player available. The shining prospect in this year’s class is Caleb Williams. A USC quarterback with a generational skill set, Williams has the potential to change the face of any team he joins.

He is an extremely talented quarterback and quickly became the talk of the town in Hollywood. His unique combination of strengths makes him a coveted prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. His arm talent and overall potential impact on and off the field have caught the attention of the Vikings and many other franchises.

Williams is the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, as he threw for 4,537 yards with 42 touchdowns to only five interceptions. Additionally, he added 382 yards on the ground for another 10 touchdowns. In 2023, he has the Trojans ranked eighth in the nation, passing for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns through four games. He also has another 71 rushing yards and three scores to add to that impressive stat line. In short, he’s good. Really, really good.

The Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Situation: An Epic In-Season Trade

The Vikings have a complicated situation at the quarterback position. Kirk Cousins is their current starter and, depending who you ask, he is either underrated or overrated. Cousins’ current contract is set to expire after the season, so Minnesota will have to trade him before the October 31 trade deadline to salvage any value.

The Tennessee Titans are in a weak division and need a high-performing signal-caller to take their mid-level team on a deep playoff run in Derrick Henry’s twilight years. They will send a 2024 fourth-round pick for the statically phenomenal quarterback, even if he’s only a band-aid in the short term.

Round 2, No. 33 Overall: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

With the first pick in the second round of our hypothetical mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Amarius Mims, an offensive tackle out of Georgia.

Maintaining an efficient pocket requires a giant and astute player to protect the Vikings’ new most valuable asset. Mims is a massive 6-foot-7, 330-pound behemoth with attention-getting physical traits. With stunning and powerful arms, a balanced base, and a psychotic demeanor, he is perfect to anchor the Minnesota line for the next decade. He would be a second-round steal and is better than Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. This pick means the Vikings get arguably the best tackle in the draft at the beginning of the second round.

Round 4, No. 99 Overall: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

With the departure of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison proving he is better as the two of a 1-2 punch, and Cam Akers not being the workhorse needed, the Vikings need to upgrade their running back room with a bonafide bellcow.

Michigan’s Blake Corum is just the guy. At 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, the star running back from Laurel, Maryland runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. He also has 351 yards (6.1 yards a carry) and eight touchdowns through only four games for the Wolverines. It’s an impressive start, and he is building well on his breakout 2022 campaign where he accumulated 1,463 rushing yards and 18 trips to the end zone in the 2022 season.

Round 4, No. 100 (via TEN): James Williams, SAF, Miami

With the next pick in the fourth round of this mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings take James Williams, a polarizing safety prospect from the Miami Hurricanes.

With their second of three picks in the fourth round, the Vikings are quietly getting the next Kam Chancellor. He is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound safety with a terrific ability to recognize plays, react to them, and alert the rest of the defense.

A solid backfield is something Minnesota has been lacking for a long time. Williams will replace Camryn Bynum, joining Harrison Smith to help keep the opposing teams from scoring at will against the Vikings in 2024.

Round 4, No. 123 Overall (via DET): Adisa Isaac, DL, Penn State

After many years with the 4-3 alignment as the base defense in Minnesota, the Vikings switched in 2022 to a 3-4 under Ed Donatell. Even with Brian Flores now calling the shots, the defense needs an additional edge-rushing linebacker to provide run support and pressure the quarterback.

At 6-foot-4 with 4.6 speed, Adisa Isaac has the speed to chase in pursuit. He has fantastic athleticism and can hold up in space when dropping into coverage. Additionally, he has that high motor function and sets the edge well against the run. The Penn State alum will be an immediate upgrade to D.J. Wonnum and become a day-one starter.

2024 Vikings Mock Draft: Caleb Williams Is A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

The 2024 NFL Draft strategy for Minnesota will be a fascinating topic of discussion in the coming months. They can select a game-changing player with the first pick in the draft — if they can land the top spot. But will the team be bad enough to do so?

The buzz around the 2024 NFL Draft is just getting started. As the event approaches, fans can expect more discussions, debates, and predictions about the possible moves the Vikings and other teams might make. For now, all eyes are on Caleb Williams and the impact he could have in the NFL. Only time will tell where he will end up and how he will perform professionally.

The Vikings are currently too good to finish the season with the worst record, but a Kirk Cousins trade would put Minnesota firmly in the running for the worst record in the league. If this mock draft comes to fruition, I think the fans will get over a down year pretty quickly.