Vikings are the elite landing spot for quarterbacks in 2024 NFL Draft
It's really not even close. Minnesota is far and away the premiere place for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft to land. It's really simple: The Vikings own two elite tackles and have the best wide receiver on the planet.
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or whoever winds up being the cream of the crop in the 2024 draft should be salivating about the chance to climb aboard a ship that ensures protection from the highest graded left tackle and the highest graded right tackle in the NFL and with the security of knowing Justin Jefferson is your go-to wide receiver for years to come.
The Jefferson part will have to play out with a contract extension before next season, but Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are the highest graded players at their respective positions through six weeks this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Based on overall scores, here's are the top 10 tackles at PFF:
- Christian Darrisaw, Vikings: 86.2
- Jordan Mailata, Eagles: 84.4
- Trent Brown, Patriots: 82.4
- Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers: 82.1
- Trent Williams, 49ers: 81.9
- Brian O'Neill, Vikings: 81.6
- Kolton Miller, Raiders: 81.3
- Penei Sewell, Lions: 80.7
- Lane Johnson, Eagles: 79.6
- Bernhard Raimann, Colts: 79.3
Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws against the Arizona Wildcats during the second overtime at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
O'Neill, Miller, Sewell and Johnson are the only right tackles in the top 10 and O'Neill sits above them all, claiming his throne as the current king of right tackles. Darrisaw claims the same at left tackle.
O'Neill ranks 34th of 114 tackles in pass blocking but he's No. 1 in run blocking. Darrisaw is considered by PFF as the fifth-best pass blocking tackle and the fourth-best run blocker.
Throw in the fact that center Garrett Bradbury has yet to allow a pressure in 135 snaps and is considered the third-best pass blocking center in the league and it's a solid place to be.
Just ask Kirk Cousins. He's been pressured on 31% of his 252 dropbacks this season, which ranks as the sixth-lowest pressure rate among qualified quarterbacks. Only Tua Tagovailoa (21.5%), Jimmy Garoppolo (24.8%), Joe Burrow (25.4%), Jordan Love (29.5%) and Trevor Lawrence (30.5%) have been pressured at a lower rate.
Did we mention that Minnesota is the No. 1 run blocking team in the NFL? It hasn't resulted in much (zero rushing touchdowns) but that appears to be more of an issue with guys carrying the ball (Alexander Mattison) than it does the O-line.
Quick side note: Alexander Mattison's offensive grade from PFF ranks 53rd out of 60 running backs who have played at least 20% of their team's snaps this season. Dalvin Cook ranks 54th. Ouch!
Arizona? They're literally below average at every offensive metric except running the ball.
Chicago? DJ Moore and Cole Kmet are OK and maybe they'll draft Marvin Harrison II, but who is going to protect the QB?
Denver? What high-end quarterback would want to wade in the water with Russell Wilson and his impossible-to-trade contract?
New York? The Giants are dead last in PFF pass blocking scores and the receiving corp. leaves much to be desired.
New England? Belichick's Patriots are the third worst pass blocking team in the league, per PFF, and they have zero reliable receivers.
Tennessee? They spent a high pick on Will Levis and they rank 23rd in pass protection. It wouldn't be bad throwing to DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, but this is a far cry from Minnesota.
Minnesota is the place to be. We didn't even mention the fact that T.J. Hockenson has a long-term contract and is one of the top tight ends in the league, nor did we name star rookie Jordan Addison, who already has four touchdowns. The Vikings haven't played well this season, but they are the ideal landing spot for an elite rookie quarterback.
