Vikings Draft: Mel Kiper Jr.'s Expert Insights | First Draft

Welcome back to First Draft! Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Dopp are here to break down how the Minnesota Vikings should approach the 2024 NFL draft. How can they most effectively address their need at QB? All this, and more!
✔️ Subscribe to ESPN+ espnplus.com/youtube
✔️ Get the ESPN App: www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn
✔️ Subscribe to ESPN on KZbin: es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoKZbin
✔️ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN
✔️ Watch ESPN on KZbin TV: es.pn/KZbinTV

[@Arcticos0]

Any rookie QB would be lucky. JJ is the best receiver, Addison posted 900+ and 10 TDs with 4 diff QBs, Hockenson is a top 3 TE, Aaron Jones is a stud, and Darrisaw is a top 3 LT.

[@alang8243]

Brian O’Neill is a top RT too.

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

Everything you wrote is true but the best friend to a young quarterback is a solid running game and Minnesota doesn't have that yet.

[@dubswilland]

@@henrywallacesghost5883we can build that next year, we cant fix our have been problems this year but we can fix them next year in the free agency

[@YouCanChangeYourWorldToday]

@@henrywallacesghost5883Aaron Jones is solid and has proven himself!

[@randylewis8628]

​@@henrywallacesghost5883that's why they added Aaron Jones. Career over 5 yards per carry. And the run game improved late in the year after they started using chandler

[@tomthx5804]

Vikings trade up to get Drake Maye, then trade him to Atlanta to get Cousins back, then make Cousins play center, and put CJ Ham at quarterback.

[@darklordofpuppies4138]

I've got one of the earliest signed pictures of cj ham ever, so while I'd be devastated in general, that picture would gain a lot of value.

[@krystianfornow1308]

i like the way you think brother

[@TylerAnderson-xl6hb]

Interesting strategy

[@knighthawk34ps3]

Then SB champs over KC 39-0 in 24’ I see it now.

[@sheena9904]

🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@striker3212]

I love how Mel has WR as a need over Corner. Nvm the fact we have the leagues best WR and a 2nd year WR we took in the first round who had 900+ RecY and 10 td’s…

[@aiyai900]

why is he retarded

[@kevincannon9564]

Vikings don't need a WR

[@randylewis8628]

He was talking about the cardinals at 4

[@antmj2335]

@@randylewis8628no he’s saying what it said on the Vikings needs. It said one of the needs was a wr lol

[@Bman32x]

Why not? The Vikings could pick up another big time WR to take pressure off of Justin Jefferson, see if one of the QBs fall to them at 23, take a flier on a later round QB, or punt until next year where an even better QB class is slated to be be drafted. They can bolster their supporting cast strong & get Jefferson’s long term deal done in the meantime.

[@kevincannon9564]

@@Bman32x They did that already drafting Addison last year resigned Powell and they like Nailor plus Hockenson might as well be a WR

[@atuck7364]

Need a WR for depth. Powell and nailor are mid. If JJ or Addison goes down like last season we will need another. WR in round 4 or 5 for sure

[@YouCanChangeYourWorldToday]

It’s gonna be wild seeing which QB’s in this draft will be busts this time next year ! Lol

[@donaldverhota7503]

You have to give QBs more than one year to declare them a bust look at how many interceptions Payton Manning threw his rookie year

[@michaelcollins3384]

JJ McCarthy reminds me of Levis last year, where there was so much hype he'd be taken in the top-5 and then slid into the second. Maybe you take him or Nix at 23 if he's there. But I think Darnold has potential to be a Jared Goff type where the league is down on him despite high draft stock, and he goes to a situation with a great O-line, great run game, good coaching, and great receivers, and can reinvent himself while the team uses picks to build through the trenches.

[@NolyfeDnote]

jj going in top 10 is really blowing my mind

[@Bman32x]

Is it inconceivable the Vikings just use both 1st round picks? Don’t trade up, pick up another WR & LT, take a QB in the later rounds for if/when Darnold poops the bed, and wait until next year for a better QB class while getting Justin Jefferson’s long term deal done 1st. Worst case scenario, the later round QB no one else wanted ends up being Purdy, Russell Wilson or Tom Brady.

[@leonardshevlin7260]

In 1995, Minnesota drafted at 11 and 24, and at 16 in '96. They could have bundled those picks to get Steve McNair or Kerry Collins. Or they could have stayed put and drafted Warren Sapp and Ty Law or Derrick Brooks, and Ray Lewis. In fact, they drafted Derrick Alexander, Korey Stringer and Duane Clemens.

[@lionking12510]

Yall both is correct and watch the Vikings blow the draft again

[@russelljackson8153]

Wide Receiver listed as a need but cornerback isn't?

[@Travis0829]

Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels?

[@pete6705]

I really don’t think the Pats will trade down to 11. I also don’t think JJ will make it to #11

[@KidSupremez]

Minnesota should Draft a Offensive Guard with the 11th pick then take Worthy From Texas at pick #23 and wait until next year and draft Shedeur Sanders

[@hitman9198]

I like him but he has literally had daddy as a coach basically his whole life lol

[@aiyai900]

this would get kwesi and koc fired

[@KidSupremez]

@@aiyai900 🧢 Jefferson Addison and worthy on the field no one is stopping a group of Wideouts like that and adding another lineman like JOE Alt Or JC Latham would solidify the line for sure

[@KidSupremez]

@@hitman9198 doesn’t mean anything at the next level better coaches could unlock his potential

[@freezerburn9138]

Trade up to number five and draft JJ. He has the highest ceiling. All tape used to grade him was of a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old. He’s not 24 like Nix and Penix. Giants should nab JJ at number six but the Giants cannot be predicted.

[@sstier48]

The vikes are predicted to have 2 3rd round compensatory picks for players they lost in FA as well

[@brianmyers4444]

Comps come next year…..

[@chadwickerman]

I predict that in 2027 we will be talking about this QB draft class the same way we talk about the 2021 draft class now.

[@AndrewMay537]

Sam's going to ball out. They don't need a QB.

[@thetitanofwallstreet7839]

LOL; they need to draft a qb

[@AndrewMay537]

@@thetitanofwallstreet7839 The top 3 QBs in the draft will be gone. Sam's only 26 years old. No matter what the public thinks. He can play ball. Watch film on him. He just needs a shot. He's now got one. And he's going to ball out.

[@revolution55125]

@@AndrewMay537 Every expert disagrees with you, they all say he can't handle pressure and makes horrible decisions that he shouldn't be at his age.

[@AndrewMay537]

@@revolution55125 Any QB would make terrible decisions if, when the ball gets snapped, they can't get more than .08 seconds to throw the ball before someone smashes into them. Which has been Sam's entire career. Until Carolina's final season. Watch jets highlights of him. .08 seconds is not an exaggeration. Protect him, and he can ball out. Seriously. Just average protection. He doesn't need Josh Allen special protection.

[@user-nv9wn5fl9b]

@@AndrewMay537buddy he’s had his chances

[@David-ll2nq]

This has the potential to be the Best draft ever.!

[@lees5953]

😂yeah right

[@davidkelley9810]

Yes. Or the worst.

[@XJForTheWin]

if you look at tlaw year, wilson lance fields jones, you can say whatever you want but as of rn, they are all mare backup qb....i dont think teams are lying when they are listening offer for their #2 3 because they amount of great qb taken in the first rd is as bad or as good as taken in 2nd-7th rd

[@Dr_1212]

🤔

[@15jtbball]

They can't trade the 2025 first round pick unless they are 1000% sure they are getting their franchise QB

[@SirThomasHarber]

I predict a three-way trade to get us into position to draft a quarterback.

[@SamWh1t3]

Vikings need a wr? Since when???

[@N00BT00B411]

Ideally would like a solid WR3 we lost KJ

[@natejones4382]

Kj Osbourne left and Nailer is always hurt. We resigned Powell but he's not a long term solution.

[@hitman9198]

​@@natejones4382they signed a WR3 in free agency

[@samelmudir]

JJ is leaving

[@hitman9198]

@@samelmudir according to who

[@AlexanderWindsor69]

Team needs: WR???

[@joshuahawrylak6819]

Again, Arizona has the fourth pick in a 3 quarterback draft. Third in a 2 QB draft last year.

[@MrYatesj1]

Yes the Viks need to give the Bolts Two #1 for the 5th pick. Maybe even a second rounder on top of the two #1’s. This is best for the Bolts

[@lukeoja7112]

If the Chargers are on the clock with McCarthy still on the board, this will happen

[@sheena9904]

Chargers are only getting 11, 23. I wish they had an extra 3rd round to give back to us.

[@brianmyers4444]

Vikes reading to three with NE….

[@kyllerkill]

May is not a franchise qb. He’s a turnover machine waiting to happen.

[@Tantura1948]

Drafting a QB with no players around him. Seems like the quickest way to get replaced as GM and coach. Take Penix JR at 23 or 11.

[@aiyai900]

huh????? you talking about the vikings?

[@lionking12510]

Viking need M P J at QB

[@sammywilliams6]

Cardinals can get brian thomas 🔥🔥🔥

[@user-tj4pb9qz6m]

Do Not Move Up! There will be a decent QB available at 11. Just chill. Don't take the bait.

[@johnnysilver5866]

Considering this draft is so shallow - I’d love the Vikings to use all their capital on the 4th best QB (bears fan lol)

[@gregb.6799]

Ah Mel, your so full of speculation this time of year. Don't assume that Drake Maye will be there at 3 for the Vikings to come get. That's what your mock draft looks like, but I think it's wrong.

[@ALPHA-FRENCHIE-SILYNNOD]

They are good with Sam with all the weapons Vikings have. Draft a O lineman

[@Magneto4191]

IMO Bo Nix better than Drake Maye

[@tyreesetoomer13]

Wide receiver is need😂… over corner

[@usa91787]

Whatever Kiper says to do then do the opposite. (Or at least not what he says to do) He's the Jim Kramer of the NFL draft.

[@dinewalton]

Sam Donald, Mitch Trubisky, Daniel Jones, Drake Maye...... skill set doesn't look good for Maye

[@fadercreek]

8 qbs are gonna get drafted maybe more

[@brianmyers4444]

Not round one…..

[@d.l.brinkmaniac3542]

All I needed to see was WR as a need to stop the video. What a joke lol

[@bounmeeyang8854]

If and only if JJ wants out of MN. How about Vikings get: Justin Herbert, Marvin Harrison Jr., & #35 Arizona get: Justin Jefferson (a sure proven Superstar) Chargers get: #11, #23, #27 (Charger keep their #5) How? A 3-team trade and fook the competitive advantage of having a rookie QB than building a roster to support the QB, go for the damm Super Bowl you have a improve Defense and top offensive weapons and two top tier tackles. Just need some work on the interior O-Line. 1. Vikes trade JJ to Arizona for #4, #27, and #35 2. Vikes draft Marvin at #4 3. Vikes use #11, #23, #27 trade for Herbert Arizona getting JJ by trading two 1st and one 2nd rounder for JJ, that’s a deal. Jim Harbaurgh gets #11, #23, and #27 to build his roster PLUS Chargers STILL have their #5 pick and likely will land McCarthy. Vikes don’t have to spend money on a WR but instead use that money they were going to spend for JJ on Herbert, re-structure Herbert’s contract. Everyone wins. 1st round draft is a crapshoot, a lot of bust. Vikes to need to get a sure QB in Herbert and risk drafting WR Marvin. Implications of a QB not working out had more of a detrimental effect on the team than a WR. Plus, spending $35 million plus per year on a proven QB is $ better spent than on a WR.

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

Stop playing franchise on Madden😂

[@bounmeeyang8854]

@henrywallacesghost5883 you actually read the whole story. Wow, guess someone had time today. Thanks. 🤣

[@user-lc2vf7mh6l]

the new qb is gonna take too long

[@aiyai900]

wym

[@CogitoErgoSum2024]

Stick with Sam and draft Marvin Harrison.

[@leonardshevlin7260]

Drake Maye is certain to have more NFL success than Sam Howell, Mitch Trubisky, Bryn Renner, T.J. Yates, Darian Durant, and Ronald Curry?

[@LazyTelevison]

Drafting a QB in the first round is a mistake. I’m listening to Viking commentators talking about trading JJ to get the Patriots 3rd for Qb and it’s absolutely insane. Draft a QB later in the draft get Bowers, Nabers etc and a stud DT on a rookie contract in the first. Draft a QB next year if you want. The Draft is stronger at QB in 2025.

[@Shiesty723]

Stronger at QB next year? 😂 Who Shadeur Sanders? 😂

[@JeremyKasperson]

The price into the top 3 is too expensive. Stay at 11 and trade back 23.

[@jackrabidue574]

If you want a franchise QB that's what you pay. Fans who say that's to much love a mediocre record year after year.

[@arcadeslum5882]

NY GIANTS!

[@tommygjohns]

Why just why

[@Dismembering_Man]

people need to stop listing to Mel Kiper Jr. he has some of the worst takes in nfl history

[@lees5953]

They hype these washed quarterbacks every year look at Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold these guys don’t know anything about a quarterback.

[@Antonio19959]

Draft JJ at 23 Get a Olinemen at 11

[@alanchristie368]

JJ will not be there at 23.

[@Velly2g]

@@alanchristie368 Yes he will

[@Trevor_B1413]

Lmao this a troll post😂 jj there at 23?? That's funny

[@Antonio19959]

@@Trevor_B1413 yes tf he will bro and if someone Decides to reach for him with a top 15 pick then they better hope he’s good enough to start for the next 4-5 years😵‍💫

[@trusavagephonetics]

JJ mcarthy wont be drafted in the first round

[@breonmitchell2443]

Shouldn't go 2nd round 15 pass attempts in 8 games 😂why being mention as 1st pick 😂😂

[@trusavagephonetics]

@@breonmitchell2443 facts tho 😂😂

[@brianmyers4444]

wrong there cowboy….

[@alp852]

Mel Kiper Jr will misread and botch another draft, only to be back in 2025 to do it again.

[@youngzeassy]

He was big in will Levi’s in the 1st round last year and he went in the second round 😂😂😂

[@brianmyers4444]

@@youngzeassybut he showed he has first round talent during the season….

[@WheresWaldo05]

Unprofessoonal by espn. Beard, tats, peasant clothing. Wtf!

[@dubswilland]

why does it matter

[@sorn4947]

Waldo is very sensitive to what other men are wearing 🤣

[@SpiceSki]

Get off his D 😂😂😂😂

[@HOV4N]

The best option is to trade up and draft Drake Maye. He can sit behind Darnold and get molded for the future. DRAKE MAYE THROWING DIMES TO JUSTIN JEFFERSON 🔥🔥🔥 #drakemaye #justinjefferson kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4elk4GmatV2mtU