The Minnesota Vikings are drafting former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller’s most recent mock draft.
Since Kirk Cousins sustained a season-ending torn Achilles injury in the middle of the 2023 campaign, it seems like a new young quarterback prospect has been connected to the Minnesota Vikings every week.
The Vikings’ quarterback group is essentially at a crossroads this offseason, which is probably the cause of this.
It appears likely that Minnesota will re-sign Cousins, who will become a free agency in March. However, most believe the Vikings will still select one of the top young quarterbacks with one of their first few picks in this year’s NFL Draft, even if they decide to re-sign their longstanding starter.
ESPN’s Matt Miller made predictions about the first 64 picks in the first two rounds of this year’s NFL Draft in his most recent 2024 mock draft, which he revealed on Monday.
Dallas Turner, a former Alabama pass rusher, is the No. 11 pick in the first round, and Miller has Minnesota pass on quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix.
The Vikings then select former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the 42nd overall choice in the second round, satisfying Miller’s requirement for a youthful signal-caller.
In his most recent mock draft, the ESPN draft analyst discussed Penix’s selection by Minnesota.
Penix can start right away if Kirk Cousins is not re-signed, or he can be the quarterback-in-waiting.”
Miller is referring to the injury worries that arise from Penix’s two ACL tears and two serious shoulder ailments that he sustained throughout his college career.
Although those are by no means minor injuries, the Vikings may not want to pass on selecting Penix if he is still available in the second round, especially if they share Miller’s belief that he is a first-round talent.
