The Minnesota Vikings came out of the 2024 NFL Draft much improved, but overall, how did they fare this offseason?
In today’s Vikings news, we review their 2024 offseason grade, their rookies’ jersey numbers, and more.
Minnesota Vikings News Today
Vikings Receive 2024 Offseason Grade
With free agency and the draft both over, the period of the offseason where teams get to improve their rosters has pretty much ended.
While moves can still happen, most teams’ rosters are set, minus a few additional training camp invites and veteran signings. With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to evaluate the Vikings’ offseason.
PFN’s Dallas Robinson gave Minnesota a B, which came in seventh among NFC teams. Some of the Vikings’ notable signings included Aaron Jones and Jonathan Greenard, while they lost Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. They also added J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner in the first round of the draft.
“The Vikings essentially completed their ‘competitive rebuild’ this offseason,” Robinson said. “The Vikings would’ve received a B+ had they not sacrificed so many picks to move up for Turner.”
SEE MORE: NFC Offseason Grades — Ranking All 16 Teams After Free Agency and NFL Draft
Vikings Rookies Receive New Numbers
Following the draft, one of the biggest questions everyone asks is which numbers each rookie will wear. For the Vikings, two of their seven rookies’ new jersey numbers are known. McCarthy and Turner, who were both first-round picks, will keep their same jersey numbers from college, No. 9 and No. 15, respectively.
Beyond those two, the rest are still unknown and pending an announcement from the Vikings. Additionally, first-year players can change their jersey numbers again before the season after final cuts are made when more numbers are made available to wear.
FIND MORE: NFL Rookie Numbers — Tracking Every Jersey Number for the 2024 Class
Vikings UDFA Signings and Rookie Minicamp Invites
While the 2024 NFL Draft was the most exciting part of the offseason player acquisition process, there were even more players added through undrafted free agency. The Vikings signed 21 players who will all have a chance to fight for spots on both the active roster and the practice squad.
Some of the most notable names brought in include Arkansas CB Dwight McGlothern and UCLA EDGE Gabriel Murphy. Murphy was PFN’s top available undrafted free agent. Additionally, they’re giving multiple Mercer players — Devron Harper and Ty James — a shot.
They’re also bringing in six linebackers with the signings of Bo Richter, Dallas Grant, Donovan Manuel, K.J. Cloyd, Kolbi Fuqua, and Noah Washington. In 2023, they signed Ivan Pace Jr. as an undrafted free agent, and he went on to start the entire season.
READ MORE: Vikings UDFA Signings and Rookie Minicamp Invites — Dates, Notable Prospects, and More
