Inside The Vikings

Vikings Go Defensive Tackle in Daniel Jeremiah's First 2024 Mock Draft

The Vikings get a difference-maker in the middle of their defensive line in this mock.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Go Defensive Tackle in Daniel Jeremiah's First 2024 Mock Draft
Vikings Go Defensive Tackle in Daniel Jeremiah's First 2024 Mock Draft

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Minnesota Vikings

There's been plenty of talk about the Vikings drafting an edge rusher with the 11th overall pick in this year's draft, particularly if they're unable to re-sign Danielle Hunter. But they need difference-makers on their defensive line, period — and that includes the interior.

Unless you're a diehard Vikings fan, you might struggle to name a single player other than Harrison Phillips who saw time at defensive tackle for Minnesota this past season. The list includes Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, journeymen Jonathan Bullard and Sheldon Day, and fourth-round rookie Jaquelin Roy. Not exactly a murderer's row.

Help could be on the way if the Vikings want it. In the first mock draft of the year from NFL.com expert Daniel Jeremiah, they use the No. 11 overall pick on Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

"I believe Murphy is the top defensive tackle in the class," Jeremiah wrote. "The Vikings need to add more firepower up front."

The Athletic's Dane Brugler agrees; Murphy was also the top DT off the board in his recent mock, going 16th to Seattle. "I think he'll be somewhere in that mid-1st range," Brugler tweeted. "No DT was more consistently disruptive on film this season vs. both the pass and run than Murphy. Love his quickness and handwork."

Five Stud Defensive Players the Vikings Could Draft With the 11th Pick

It would be a bit confusing if the Vikings end up with two Byron Murphys — CB Byron Murphy Jr. is under contract for one more year — but it might be a good call. The Dolphins' first draft pick after hiring Brian Flores as head coach in 2019 was Clemson DT Christian Wilkins at No. 13 overall. Perhaps Murphy could be a new Wilkins for Flores in Minnesota.

Murphy, 21, has good size at 6'1" and 308 pounds, he's an explosive athlete at the position, and he's a technician, too. His quickness and power could make him a problem at the next level. Murphy had five sacks and 8.5 total tackles for loss this season for a Texas team that made the College Football Playoff. 

If the Vikings do draft a defensive tackle in the first round, it would be their first time doing so since they took Sharrif Floyd back in 2013.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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