The Minnesota Vikings made a pair of impact moves by selecting J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner on the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft, but after a quiet second day, they could look to add some more talent on Saturday.
The final day of the draft will begin at 11 a.m. CT and feature the final three rounds. With the Vikings set to have five selections, here’s a look at five players Minnesota could target.
T.J. Tampa – CB, Iowa State
The Vikings have a pair of needs entering the final day but they could use some depth at cornerback. Although Mekhi Blackmon, Bryon Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans, Shaq Griffin and Andrew Booth Jr. are currently on the depth chart, Tampa could be a value pick in the later rounds.
Tampa is a physical corner at six feet and 194 pounds and projects as a player who can play on the outside. After becoming a First Team All-Big 12 selection last year, Tampa is a player who can allow Murphy to shift to the inside and could be available when the Vikings are on the clock with the 108th overall pick.
Devontez Walker – WR, North Carolina
The Vikings weren’t able to trade up for Drake Maye on Thursday night, but they could get another prominent member of the Tar Heels offense by selecting Walker.
Walker’s college career was a journey spending time with Tennessee State, North Carolina Central, Kent State and finally North Carolina. After winning an eligibility battle with the NCAA, Walker caught 41 passes for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.
Walker has issues with drops (he had 12 the past two seasons combined) but he could be a nice complement to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With K.J. Osborn’s departure to New England, Minnesota could be in the market for a receiver at some point on Saturday.
Malik Washington – WR, Virginia
Sticking with the theme for wide receivers, Washington could also give the Vikings’ offense another explosive option.
Washington is 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds but makes up for it in his explosiveness and route running. He caught 110 passes and nine touchdowns while leading the ACC with 1,426 yards and averaged 19.5 yards per kick return last season, making him a potential upgrade over Brandon Powell.
The Vikings could view Powell as adequate for the role he plays – and serves as Minnesota’s punt returner – but Washington has room for more and could be a target in the fourth round.
Brandon Dorlus – DT, Oregon
The Vikings added Turner to add another weapon on the edge but Brian Flores could still use someone to create pressure on the interior.
Dorlus could be a solid option as a player who has plenty of natural talent but could use some coaching to create consistency. He spent the last three seasons as a starter for the Ducks, racking up 89 tackles (23 for loss) and 10 sacks during that time before posting a 111-inch broad jump and a 4.85-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Dorlus could be a solution at either defensive end spot for the Vikings and could allow Flores to create a deeper rotation in the trenches.
Mason McCormick – G, South Dakota State
The Vikings made gains at the guard position last season but after Dalton Risner’s departure, they could use another player at a position that has frustrated fans over the past decade.
Enter McCormick, who was a driving force in helping SDSU win back-to-back FCS national championships the past two seasons. McCormick put up a whopping 32 reps on the bench press during his Pro Day last month and plays with a saltiness the Vikings haven’t had at the guard position in a long time.
Ed Ingram appears to be locked in as a starter at right guard but Blake Brandel is a question mark to replace Risner on the left. Even if the Vikings believe in Brandel, McCormick’s football IQ has had some speculate a move to center, which would be insurance or an eventual replacement for Garrett Bradbury.
Either way, McCormick would be a solid pick for the Vikings as they open the final day of the draft.
