Where the Vikings’ 2023 Draft Class Stands Now
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) goes through pregame warmups before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Last year, I examined the current state of affairs for the Vikings’ 2022 draft picks, with two years being ample time for the draft class to at least begin to make its mark. So this year, it’s time to examine the Vikings’ 2023 draft class.
A closer look at how the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023 draft class is performing two seasons in, from early-round starters to depth players fighting for bigger roles.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah came under heavy fire for the poor outcome of his first draft in 2022. The 2023 draft gave him his first opportunity to repair his reputation. Minnesota selected six players in this draft, following trades, most notably the one that saw their second-rounder go to division rivals, the Detroit Lions, for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Adofo-Mensah’s best draft pick to date came from this draft, but as you would expect, there is a mixed bag of results. Slightly worryingly, the second half of the draft class all left Minnesota before this season began to get underway.
Vikings’ 2023 Draft Picks Under the Microscope
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) shares a fired-up moment with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) following a third-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Jordan Addison (WR) – Round 1, Pick 23
Current Situation: WR2 on the Vikings.
By far the most successful of Adofi-Mensah’s early drafts to date, Jordan Addison immediately became the Vikings’ WR2 and the perfect foil for Justin Jefferson. Addison has also shown he is capable of stepping up to the lead role when Jefferson is absent. With 1786 receiving yards and an especially impressive 19 receiving touchdowns across his first two seasons, Addison has been almost the perfect number two receiver.
The only problems for Addison have been off the field, culminating in a three-game ban to start the 2025 season after the resolution of his DUI court case that has dragged on over the last year. The season-ending injury to Rondale Moore has put more pressure on Minnesota at the WR position, with them starting the season undermanned due to Addison’s suspension.
The good news is the Vikings wide-out has shown a great rapport with JJ McCarthy through training camp, while Jefferson has been sidelined with injury. Their QB-WR connection has been one of the highlights of the preseason and is something to look forward to blossoming when Addison gets on the field during the regular season.
Mekhi Blackmon (CB) – Round 3, Pick 102
Current Situation: Cornerback depth on the Vikings.
Mekhi Blackmon showed promise when he got the opportunity at the back end of his rookie season in 2023. Unfortunately, the chance to build on that promise in Year 2 was thwarted by a season-ending knee injury at the beginning of training camp. Blackmon was fit and raring to go at the start of camp this year and is competing for his place on the depth chart.
Byron Murphy is the Vikings’ top CB, but behind them, there is plenty of healthy competition between Blackmon, Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern for playing time. If Blackmon can’t force himself into a starting role, he should still get plenty of opportunity across the season in the rotation. It’s then up to him to seize those opportunities the way he did in his rookie year.
Jay Ward (S) – Round 4, Pick 134
Current Situation: Safety Depth on the Vikings
Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; Minnesota Vikings Defensive Back Jay Ward (20) in the 2nd Quarter against New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images.
Special Teams is where Jay Ward has been making his living in his first two seasons in Minnesota. The safety has only missed one game since being drafted, always suiting up on game day, but has only played on 63 defensive snaps across 33 games.
Solid play on Special Teams has kept his place on the roster, and with Camryn Bynum now departed and no major replacement incoming, Ward has the opportunity for an increased role on defense in 2025. Hopefully, this will give him more opportunities for impactful plays, such as the sack/fumble he made against the Arizona Cardinals in his rookie season.
Jaquelin Roy (DT) – Round 5, Pick 141
Current Situation: At the New England Patriots, currently on Injured Reserve.
I was somewhat surprised that Jaquelin Roy only lasted one season in Minnesota. There is talent in the big defensive tackle, but the Vikings waived him going into the 2024 season. The New England Patriots picked him up for their practice squad, eventually elevating him in October for a game against the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded his first career sack.
Oct 13, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (94) and New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) celebrate getting a sack against the Houston Texans during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images.
Another sack in his second game was a bright start to a six-game run in the team that culminated in 17 tackles, including three tackles for loss. A foot injury ended his season early, and he was put on Injured Reserve again on August 5th, leaving his 2025 season in limbo.
Jaren Hall (QB) – Round 5, Pick 164
Current Situation: Free Agent.
Jaren Hall got unexpected opportunities in his rookie season thanks to the season-ending injury to Kirk Cousins. He came in to see out a win over the Green Bay Packers before starting the next game, where he suffered a concussion and was replaced by Josh Dobbs.
The second half of the 2023 season saw a QB carousel in Minnesota with Hall getting another opportunity in the penultimate game of the season against the Packers. This time, he was pulled for Nick Mullens. Failing to grasp his opportunity, Hall was waived heading into the 2024 season and found his way onto the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Released back in April by the Seahawks, Hall still finds himself a free agent.
DeWayne McBride (RB) – Round 7, Pick 222
Current Situation: Reportedly signed by the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League.
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota running back DeWayne McBride (27) runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports.
Expectations should be tempered for a seventh-round pick, but running back DeWayne McBride was a complete miss. He never stepped on the field of play in a meaningful game for the Vikings. By January 2025, he is reportedly set to play in the UFL, having been signed by the Edmonton Elks for the current season. However, there seems to be no sign of him anywhere on their roster.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
