The NFL Draft wrapped up Saturday evening, and report cards quickly followed.
The assessments are always delivered too early to effectively judge the impact of a draft class, but they also are interesting to read.
Receipts also are kept and recirculated, such as the less-than-flattering grades that were issued in 2017 for Kansas City's selection of Patrick Mahomes (10th overall in 2017) or Minnesota's selection of Justin Jefferson (22nd overall in 2020).
The two have combined for nine Pro Bowls.
So, please keep in mind that grades can go up or down over time as you read the report cards for Minnesota's NFL Draft Class of 2024, which includes the following players:
Round 1, 10th overall: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Round 1, 17th overall: Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
Round 4, 108th overall: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Round 6, 177th overall: Walter Rouse, T, Oklahoma
Round 6, 203rd overall: Will Reichard, K, Alabama
Round 7, 230th overall: Michael Jurgens, OL, Wake Forest
Round 7, 232nd overall: Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce
René Bugner compiled GPAs for all 32 teams based on 20 evaluations from around the web.
Here are more details from 20 different assessments, including some that evaluate individual selections in addition to the overall class.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Overall Grade: B+
Day 1: A-
Day 2: B+
Day 3: B-
Analysis: The Vikings gave up pick value in 2023, Day 3 picks this year and much of their 2025 draft in moves that landed them McCarthy, tight end T.J. Hockenson (in a 2022 deadline deal with Detroit) and edge rusher Turner. McCarthy and Turner possess the skill set to make that investment worthwhile, though McCarthy will need to continue his winning ways at the next level and Turner must be an impact defender.
Jackson is a Riq Woolen-type corner, long and quick-footed, who presents excellent value in the fourth round. Rouse is a strong, experienced lineman who takes over for departed veteran Olisaemeka Udoh as the swing tackle. Don't overlook Jurgens' chances of making the roster. Reichard is the FBS' all-time leading scorer, and the Vikings need a reliable field goal kicker; I'm interested in how his career compares with that of Cam Little, who was picked by the Jags with pick No. 212.
Click here for Reuter's full report card.
Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN
Overall Grade: C+
So long, Kirk Cousins; hello, J.J. McCarthy (10). One of the most intriguing storylines to watch over the past two months was the Vikings likely having to make a trade up if they wanted to get the fourth quarterback on the board. Turns out, they didn't need to move as high as we thought ... and they actually got the fifth passer in the class because of Atlanta's surprising selection of Michael Penix, Jr. As I wrote Thursday night, McCarthy lands in a spot with excellent pass-catchers and a gifted game-planner; he's going to be put in a position to succeed in Year 1.
My qualm about GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's class has more to do with mortgaging the future of this Minnesota roster. He made the move in March to get an extra first-rounder at No. 23, which cost him a second-round pick next year. And to trade up from No. 23 to No. 17, he had to give the Jaguars his 2025 third- and fourth-rounders. That means the Vikings have just three selections next year: one in Round 1 and two in Round 5. With a rookie quarterback under center, are they really in position to go all-in right now? This is after they had just two picks in Rounds 1-3 this year.
Dallas Turner (17) is my top-ranked edge rusher, but Minnesota had a greater need at cornerback. This defense ranked 28th in the league in passing yards allowed to receivers (3,019) last season. I was a little surprised Adofo-Mensah didn't target one of the top corners instead. He finally went corner with his next pick, but that was all the way in Round 4. Khyree Jackson (108) is a 6-3 defensive back who allowed just one touchdown in coverage last season.
Walter Rouse (177) could be Minnesota's swing tackle as a rookie. The Vikings started a run on kickers in Round 6, but they took Will Reichard (203), my third-ranked player at the position, ahead of the top two.
Can Head Coach Kevin O'Connell turn McCarthy into a top-10 passer? That's the question that will linger with this Minnesota class, which is extremely top-heavy. Plus, I'm factoring in Adofo-Mensah's moves that upended the team's 2025 draft.
Click here for Kiper's full report card.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman
(Round 1 only)
McCarthy: A
What an offseason for the Vikings. After making a big pre-draft move, Minnesota was able to land a quarterback (and climb one spot) without surrendering its other first-round pick. (The Vikings sent Nos. 11, 129 and 157 to the Jets for this spot and No. 203.) All this mere months after Minnesota lost Cousins, its previous franchise QB.
McCarthy's skill set has had NFL evaluators on alert for three years, though his work inside Michigan's run-heavy offense made it very difficult to totally project what he'll be immediately in the NFL. A very tough, aggressive passer in the mold of his former coach (Jim Harbaugh), McCarthy's an unquestioned winner (63-3 record since high school).
He may need to learn behind Sam Darnold for a minute, but this is a great long-term fit with Kevin O'Connell — and he could be more ready early on than some believe.
Turner: A
After losing Danielle Hunter in free agency, the Vikings needed some pass-rush punch. So, Minnesota jumped up six spots (sending Nos. 23 and 167 plus third- and fourth-round picks in 2025 to Jacksonville) and grabbed perhaps the draft's most athletic pass rusher. Turner was considered by many to be a possible top-10 pick. Edge was a need for the Vikings, too, probably equal to cornerback.
Turner (6-foot-2, 247 pounds) was a consensus First-Team All-American last season after posting 11 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He solidified his first-round status with an impressive combine (4.46 40-yard dash, 40 1/2-inch vertical, 34 3/8-inch arms). He should replace Hunter quite nicely.
Click here for the full report card.
Pro Football Focus
Overall Grade: B+
McCarthy — With Michael Penix, Jr., being drafted before McCarthy, Minnesota had to move up only one selection to get its quarterback competition for Sam Darnold. McCarthy has traits to work with and was excellent when Michigan needed him to make a play in third-and-long situations, but he wasn't asked to carry the offense much at the college level. He does land in one of the league's better situations for a rookie quarterback, as Minnesota has a solid offensive line and a talented receiving corps.
Turner — The Vikings draft an explosive pass rusher in Turner, adding him to a unit that includes free-agent acquisitions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner is an incredible athlete who is capable of rushing the passer from a 2-point stance and dropping into coverage. He ranked among the top three edges in the SEC in pass-rush grade, pressures and coverage grade in 2023.
Jackson — Jackson played 320 coverage snaps last season but allowed just one touchdown. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound cornerback allowed a passer rating of just 41.6 on throws into his coverage in 2023, the second-best mark among all Pac-12 players at the position.
Rouse — Minnesota adds depth to its offensive line with Rouse. He led all FBS tackles in pass-blocking efficiency in 2023 (99.3), allowing zero sacks and just six pressures across 481 pass-blocking snaps.
Reichard — The first kicker comes off the board. Reichard ranked fourth among college football kickers with a 94.9 field goal/extra point grade over the past three seasons, connecting on 10 of 13 tries over 50 yards for his career.
Jurgens — Jurgens earned an impressive 93.1 run-block grade on 143 outside-zone runs in 2023. In pass protection, he allowed just 10 total pressures last season, two ending in sacks.
Rodriguez — Rodriguez did exactly what you'd expect from a player of his caliber at Texas A&M-Commerce. He recorded an impressive 16.4% pass-rush win rate and 24 pressures on 249 pass-rush snaps. His 91.0 PFF pass-rushing grade ranked first among FCS interior defenders in 2023.
Click here for the full report card.
Pro Football Network's Cam Mellor
Overall Grade: A-
McCarthy: A
Turner: A+
Jackson: B
Rouse: B-
Reichard: B+
Jurgens: C
Rodriguez: B-
On Day 3, the Vikings added a developmental CB, a kicker and trench depth on both sides of the ball.
That said, the Day 3 stretch was never going to sway Minnesota's draft grade too far in either direction, because in Round 1, it added two franchise-defining players on either side of the ball.
J.J. McCarthy has a legitimate chance to be Minnesota's next franchise QB with the support he's been given. And at 17th overall, Dallas Turner is a superb value addition, with the tools to wreck offensive game plans. That duo alone made Minnesota's class a success.
Click here for the full report card.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Overall Grade: C+
Trading up for a quarterback in McCarthy whose skill set most closely resembles Alex Smith in a league that covets explosive plays and the prevention of explosive plays most of all is certainly… a decision.
But trading up again for an edge-rusher in Dallas Turner who can scald off the edge and adds his name to a group that already includes Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel? Well, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores is going to have some serious guys to execute his insane blitz packages. I'm a big fan of Khyree Jackson as a scheme-transcendent cornerback, and Walter Rouse has interesting potential as a power tackle.
But man … this draft all hinges on McCarthy and a defense that didn't get as much help as it needed, and that's kind of scary.
Click here for the full report card.
Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press
Overall Grade: B
QB J.J. McCarthy (10) isn't the 10th-best player in the draft, but they didn't want to risk losing him. Moved up to get possibly the best defensive player in the draft, OLB Dallas Turner (17). CB Khyree Jackson was great value in the fourth.
Click here for the full report card.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Overall Grade: B-
Best Pick: The Vikings moved up in the first round to take pass rusher Dallas Turner. That was a good move. He will be a big-time rusher in Brian Flores' scheme. Turner's best pass-rushing days are ahead of him.
Worst Pick: I get the whole idea of finding a quarterback, and landing J.J. McCarthy where they did makes sense, but I don't love his game. He just shot up boards after the season, and I never saw it. I thought he would be a late first-round pick.
The Skinny: Like all the teams that took quarterbacks, their drafts will be defined by how well they play. That's the Vikings with McCarthy. Even if Turner becomes a true star, which I think he will, this draft is about McCarthy. Period. They also traded a lot of future picks to get McCarthy and Turner, so they better be stars.
Click here for the full report card.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Overall Grade: B+
McCarthy: C+
Turner: A
Jackson: A
Rouse: B
Reichard: C+
Jurgens: B
Rodriguez: C+
We have to applaud the Vikings for not having to trade the farm to get a quarterback in this class. Essentially, McCarthy fell into their lap. Turner's upside is through the roof. But the trade up was expensive, especially considering what they traded to originally obtain the No. 23 pick.
Jackson is the ideal long, press-man cornerback for Brian Flores to deploy, and Rouse can eventually become a powerful tackle. Reichard will represent an upgrade at kicker.
Click here for the full report card.
Bleacher Report's Kris Knox
Overall Grade: A-
The Minnesota Vikings traded up to No. 10 in a first-round deal with the New York Jets to land Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The most surprising thing about the selection is that Minnesota didn't have to trade higher to get its quarterback.
McCarthy was the fourth-ranked QB on the final B/R big board. While a top-10 pick may be too high for what McCarthy's college tape might suggest, the Vikings only had to give up a pair of Day 3 selections to get their guy.
The surprise selection of [Michael Penix, Jr., by Atlanta] may have pushed McCarthy into a more reasonable range for Minnesota. Regardless of how it happened, the Vikings got McCarthy without having to give up the 23rd overall pick, which they acquired from Houston in a pre-draft trade.
Minnesota traded up again in Round 1, landing Alabama's Dallas Turner, the second-ranked edge-rusher on the final B/R big board.
"Turner has plenty of tools to work with to warrant a top-15 — and maybe even a top-10 — selection in this year's draft class," Bleacher Report's Matt Holder wrote.
Adding Turner will help boost a pass rush that lost Danielle Hunter but added Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel earlier in the offseason.
General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah largely focused on developmental prospects on Day 3, though cornerback Khyree Jackson is a notable exception. Jackson was the 43rd-ranked prospect on the B/R board and could get on the field as early as Week 1 of this season.
Sixth-round kicker Will Reichard should challenge John Parker Romo for the starting job in training camp.
This class will be defined by Minnesota's two trades in Round 1. The Vikings seemed quite comfortable with McCarthy as their quarterback of the future and resisted the urge to overpay to land him. Turner may need a little seasoning, but he has the potential to blossom into a franchise player.
Using both first-round picks instead of flipping them both for McCarthy was a win for Minnesota.
Click here for the full report card.
FOX Sports (Vikings graded by Carmen Vitali)
Overall Grade: A
The Vikings needed a quarterback and got one. Though he likely wasn't their first choice (they reportedly tried to trade up to No. 3 presumably to select Drake Maye), this may have ended up being the ideal scenario. They needed to trade up just one spot from their first pick at No. 11 to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was still aggressive with the No. 23 pick, trading up to No. 17 to get Alabama edge Dallas Turner, widely considered one of the best defenders in the draft. Both are arguably top-10 prospects. The drawback is that the Vikings are now extremely low on draft capital next year. They have their first-round pick and just two fifth-round picks. They should expect at least one if not two third-round compensatory picks for losing Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter to free agency, but their roster is in solid shape, especially after adding another corner in Khyree Jackson from Oregon and multiple offensive linemen for depth. The Vikings almost certainly won the first round, but they may win the entire draft if McCarthy pans out.
Click here for the full report card.
The Ringer's Danny Kelly
Overall Grade: C+
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be the defining pick for this class for the Vikings, but I'm bullish on his potential as he lands on a team with a strong supporting cast. Throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson gives the 21-year-old signal-caller a chance to excel early in his career. The Vikings also leveraged later picks (a fifth-rounder this year plus third- and fourth-rounders in 2025) to move up and grab a high-upside pass rusher in Alabama's Dallas Turner, giving the team an ascending defender to pair with newly signed Jonathan Greenard. Ultimately, though, the team is putting a whole lot of eggs into two baskets. Minnesota mortgaged future picks to land McCarthy and Turner (Turner alone cost the Vikings six total picks, when counting the trade up into the 23rd spot prior to the draft), leaving the team with very little draft capital in 2025 (a first and two fifths, plus a conditional 7th). It's a big gamble, and if either player falls short, it could set Minnesota back dramatically.
Click here for the full report card.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Overall Grade: A (listed 7th highest out of 32 teams)
The Vikings could have rested on McCarthy for their passing game and both Turner and Jackson for the pass defense and had a solid draft. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn't waste time pleasing Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores to accelerate a rebuild. They made good use of moving up to go for high-upside quality over pure quantity. Reichard also filled a key need.
Click here for the full report card.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated
Overall Grade: C+
I think I am going to regret my dislike of the Vikings draft, just like I did with the Texans draft a year ago. I didn't quite see the value of the Dallas Turner trade, but if Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores can get the best out of him, what's the difference at the end of the day? I thought the Vikings should have been more aggressive to get the quarterback they really wanted, but I also think that Kevin O'Connell is going to make it work with McCarthy.
Click here for the full report card.
Ryan McCrystal, Sharp Football Analysis
Overall Grade: B-
Instant impact: McCarthy
Best value: Jackson
Riskiest pick: Reichard
The Vikings definitely added two talented players in J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, but both are raw and will take time to fully develop. By trading up for both, the Vikings essentially sacrificed the rest of their draft and some 2025 picks, as well. That's an incredibly risky process when using those picks on players who aren't particularly close to hitting their ceiling yet. Oh, and then they drafted a kicker.
Click here for the full report card.
Nate Davis
Overall Grade: A- (listed 9th highest out of 32 teams)
After losing QB Kirk Cousins in free agency, they went on the offensive and obtained a second first-round choice from Houston last month – a move presumed to necessitate a subsequent climb up the board. But GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah played his cards right and got to select twice in Round 1 – coming away with highly regarded but highly divisive Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy and highly regarded (period) Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner. The third-round spot was cashed in two years ago as part of a trade deadline deal for Pro Bowl TE T.J. Hockenson. The kicking game should be boosted by sixth-rounder Will Reichard of the Crimson Tide.
Click here for the full report card.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
Overall Grade: C+
The Vikings went all in and got their quarterback and edge rusher of the future. Whew. As a result, they barely have any 2025 picks. They do have some talented prospects at key positions to build around. J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner can be solid NFL players, but the Vikings paid a high price to attain them. Right now, the only top-100 pick they're slated to have in 2025 is their first-round pick (with at least one third-round compensatory pick coming their way for Kirk Cousins). This better work!
Favorite pick: Turner
Turner is a great dice roll for an edge rusher prospect. He produced at Alabama, is 21 years old and ran in the 4.4s at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's going to be right at home in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' scheme that will cut him loose up the field and allow him to be a playmaker. He's a dark horse for a 10-sack rookie campaign.
Least favorite pick: McCarthy
This is not a bad pick exactly, but McCarthy needs to show more before we can have full confidence that the Vikings got their guy. He has some nice arm talent and had real highs at Michigan but generally wasn't asked to be the driver of the offense. McCarthy is going to need seasoning, and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell might be the guy to pull whatever latent potential is sitting there.
Click here for the full report card.
View college action photos of every Vikings pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.
QB J.J. McCarthy
QB J.J. McCarthy
QB J.J. McCarthy
QB J.J. McCarthy
QB J.J. McCarthy
OLB Dallas Turner
OLB Dallas Turner
OLB Dallas Turner
OLB Dallas Turner
OLB Dallas Turner
CB Khyree Jackson
CB Khyree Jackson
CB Khyree Jackson
CB Khyree Jackson
CB Khyree Jackson
T Walter Rouse
T Walter Rouse
T Walter Rouse
T Walter Rouse
T Walter Rouse
K Will Reichard
K Will Reichard
K Will Reichard
K Will Reichard
K Will Reichard
OL Michael Jurgens
OL Michael Jurgens
OL Michael Jurgens
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
Ryan Dunleavy, New York Post
Overall Grade: B+ (listed 10th out of 32 teams)
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's trade offer to get up to No. 3 was rejected. He played it patiently for McCarthy — who steps into a great offensive situation — at No. 10 and traded up for maybe the draft's best defensive player at No. 17. The lack of Day 2 picks hurts.
Click here for the full report card.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Overall Grade: A-
The Vikings had to trade up only one spot to make J.J. McCarthy the fifth QB chosen in the top 10. He was a polarizing prospect, but he is set up well to maximize his chances of success, with Kevin O'Connell as his coach and Justin Jefferson as his top receiver. Because they did not have to make a major move up to get their QB, the Vikings were able to retain their second opening-round pick, and they traded up again to secure pass rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. He was a top-10-caliber talent pushed down because of the early run on offensive players. And don't dismiss the significance of getting Alabama kicker Will Reichard in the sixth round.
Click here for the full report card.
Steven Cheah of Barstool Sports
Overall Grade: B+
Analysis: Hey, they got their guy in J.J. McCarthy. Whether you like him or hate him, the value seemed there at least for him. Trading up for Alabama [OLB] Dallas Turner was a great move to address their pass rush. Wake Forest [OL] Michael Jurgens is a depth play in the seventh round and again, a kicker in the sixth round is beautiful. Alabama Kicker Will Reichard is great value at 203, as he'll likely make the team.
Click here for the full report card.
