Vikings Address D-Line in New Two-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft

The Vikings revitalize the trenches in this mock from The Athletic's Dane Brugler.

Is this the year the Vikings finally address their defensive front early in the draft? The franchise hasn't selected a defensive lineman in the first two rounds since Sharrif Floyd in 2013. They haven't taken an edge rusher in the first two rounds since picking Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James in consecutive first rounds in 2004 and '05. That's nearly 20 years ago.

A new 2024 mock draft from The Athletic's Dane Brugler has the Vikings breaking that streak. They don't pick a quarterback in this one, instead using both of their top two picks on players who can revitalize their defensive front.

Round 1, Pick 11: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Laiatu Latu was the highest-graded EDGE in college football this year (PFF) / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Over his two seasons at UCLA, Latu accounted for 34 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He has first-step quickness and bend, but his crafty handwork and ability to diversify his attack separate him as a pass rusher. His injury history could be an issue, but this Vikings regime has taken chances with those risks in the past.

Latu dominated the Pac-12 over the past two years. The 23-year-old is coming off a season where he had 13 sacks, 21.5 total TFL, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a ridiculous 96.3 PFF grade. He's got size, athleticism, and plenty of technical ability as a pass rusher. The main concern is his injury history; Latu suffered a neck injury prior to his sophomore season at Washington and was told he wouldn't be able to continue playing football. He sat out in both 2020 and 2021 before transferring to UCLA, getting cleared by their doctors, and becoming a star.

With Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum both hitting free agency, the Vikings could really use a new foundational piece in their OLB room. They just have to decide if they're willing to take another risk on a player with an injury history. They tried that with Andrew Booth Jr. and Marcus Davenport and both of those moves flopped.

The other top-tier edge rushers who could be in consideration here are Alabama's Dallas Turner and Florida State's Jared Verse.

Round 2, Pick 42: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

Ruke Orhorhoro has a lot of potential as an NFL DT / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings double up on the defensive line. Well-built at 6-4, 295 with 34-inch arms, Orhorhoro is an impressive mover and offers a high ceiling after he was late to the game of football.

The Vikings could also use a difference-maker in the middle of their defensive line. Outside of Harrison Phillips, they played a bunch of replacement-level DTs this season — guys like Jonathan Bullard, Sheldon Day, Khyiris Tonga, and Dean Lowry. Fourth-rounder Jaquelin Roy saw less than 100 snaps as a rookie.

Orhororo is big and explosive, which helped him total 24 total TFL and 11.5 sacks over the past three seasons. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the United States at nine years old and didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school, so he's still developing. There's a lot of upside there.

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