EAGAN, Minn. — With the 2024 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the countdown to the Vikings first-round selection has begun.

Minnesota currently has the 11th overall pick after finishing 7-10 in 2023, which was third in the NFC North and 10th in the NFC standings.

The Vikings have picked inside the top 12 just 23 times in franchise history. Twice those selections netted a quarterback, Christian Ponder (2011 No. 12 pick) and Daunte Culpepper (1999 No. 11 pick).

Other notable top 12 selections include Adrian Peterson (2007 No. 7 pick), Bryant McKinnie (2002 No. 7 pick), Kevin Williams (2003 No. 9 pick) and Anthony Barr (2014 No. 9 pick). Three players selected in the top 12 — Carl Eller (1964 No. 6 pick), Ron Yary (1968 No. 1 pick) and Chris Doleman (1985 No. 4 pick) — made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held from April 25-27. The first round begins on April 25. Rounds 2 and 3 follow on April 26, and the final four rounds will occur April 27.

Here is the first version of our Vikings 2024 Mock Draft Tracker, which includes 12 recent predictions from across football media.

Draft pundits routinely named quarterback and edge rusher as the Vikings primary positional needs. Defensive tackle and cornerback were also represented in several mocks. The only offensive position listed was quarterback.

Newton is a disruptive 3-technique who concluded the season with 42 pressures, 7.5 sacks, and a 11.4-percent defensive pressure rate. He is one of my favorite overall prospects in this class, regardless of position. Furthermore, he seldom ever leaves the field; in 2023, his 715 snaps ranked eighth out of all FBS defensive linemen. Because of his adaptability and explosiveness as a pass-rusher, Newton can play from a variety of alignments and be used in inventive third-down packages.