With just one more game remaining until the official end of the 2023 NFL season, most teams are fully in offseason mode.

That includes the Minnesota Vikings, whose fans are now looking toward free agency, and the 2024 NFL Draft.

To prepare all 32 fan bases for the upcoming draft, I published my first two-round mock draft of the cycle, in which the Vikings pulled off a big trade to land a second first-round pick. 

Round 1, Pick 11: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

"With the Vikings first pick, I have them adding my top CB in this class in Clemson's Nate Wiggins. I think Wiggins will be able to play day one with the idea of developing him into a true lockdown CB 1 in the NFL. And that would be an incredible addition for the Vikings and their defense."

I'm sure the Vikings would have loved to have a real shot at one of the top three QBs in this upcoming class. But with them all gone by, they got a chance, I have them adding a CB, which they desperately need. Celmson's Nate Wiggins would improve the Viking's secondary immediately on arrival and has the upside to develop into one of the premier corners in the NFL. I think Vikings DC Brian Flores would be a huge fan of this pick. 

---

TRADE: 

Minnesota Vikings send: 2024 2nd (42), 4th (108), and a 2025 2nd

Dallas Cowboys send: 2024 1st (24) 

---

Round 1, Pick 24: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

"With their second selection, I have them getting aggressive and moving up from the second round to select QB J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan and secure the desired fifth-year option. McCarthy has a lot of room to grow as a QB, but with him just now turning 21 in January, his timeline works out well for the Vikings. The talk around the Senior Bowl led me to believe that many around the NFL believe that McCarthy will be the next QB to hear his name called after the top three in this class."

Trading back into round one won't be cheap, but if the Vikings like any of the QBs after the top three, I think they are a team that could pull it off. The Vikings had a lot of interest in moving up last year, but nothing came to fruition, so if a QB catches their eye this cycle, I don't think they would hesitate. Here I have them going with Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, who I've heard has a lot of fans in the NFL ranks. If McCarthy is the route they go, I'd expect that they attempt to bring QB Kirk Cousins back on a short-term deal to start in front of McCarthy. 

Kirk Cousins’ 2024 free agency contract projection

The Vikings QB has a big decision to make.