The Minnesota Vikings have a Week 18 date in Detroit this weekend and are three-point underdogs versus Dan Campbell’s team.
If Minnesota loses, it will pick between 9th and 13th in the 2024 NFL Draft. A win would shove the pick between 12th and 32nd.
The Current Mock Draft Darling for Vikings
And while the draft lead-up still has about four months remaining, an early darling has emerged for the Vikings, at least per experts’ mock draft, and that is Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
NFL Mock Draft Database logs every prominent mock draft under the sun, filed by draft, team, etc. At the moment, the Vikings are most linked to Nix by popular consensus.
Nix showcased a glorious Fiesta Bowl on Monday, helping the Ducks smash then-undefeated Liberty 45-6. In his final collegiate game, Nix delivered 5 touchdown passes on 363 passing yards and will now presumably set sights on the draft process. He’s projected to be selected somewhere in Round 1.
Thankfully for the Vikings’ sake, if they’re interested in Nix, he’ll likely be available at Minnesota’s organic draft spot. A lot can change between now and the draft, but Nix probably won’t get talked into the Top 10, and hence, the Vikings could choose Nix wherever they land per draft seeding.
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Pro Football Network authored a mock draft right before Christmas, and PFN’s Ian Valentino wrote about Nix to Minnesota, “Bo Nix has been terrific the last two seasons, boasting efficiency numbers that are almost hard to believe. He’ll get ridiculed for checking down more than hunting big plays, but that inner playmaker who can create on his own is still in there.”
All told, Nix tabulated 15,352 passing yards at Auburn and Oregon, with 113 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions. He also uses his legs, carrying the rock 405 times in five seasons for 1,613 yards and 38 scores.
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell (left) and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah react during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Pro Football Focus also connected Nix to the Vikings in December. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema explained, “Unless the Vikings continue to ride with pending free agent Kirk Cousins, they’ll be heavily interested in the 2024 quarterback market. Nix once again had a very impressive year as Oregon’s signal-caller. He finished the season with a 92.2 passing grade and an 87.3 passing grade under pressure, making only one turnover-worthy play under pressure all season. While he brings NFL-caliber arm talent, his season was not as demanding as it was for others. His season average depth of target was below 7.0, and his percentage of total passing yards that came through the air was below 40%.”
Nix will turn 24 in February and might need footwork refinement at the pro level. He’s 6’2″ and 220 pounds and has tremendous arm strength.
Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Heisman hopefuls (left to right) LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix and Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. pose with the Heisman trophy during a press conference in the Astor ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis before the presentation of the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings are also frequently linked to University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in NFL mock drafts, and McCarthy will be in action next Monday in the National Championship against Washington.
Minnesota hasn’t drafted a quarterback with 1st-Round capital in 10 years.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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