Top 30 visits aren’t an exact science on who a team will take, but it shows at least a slight interest in every player brought in.
Every team gets to bring in 30 players (as I’m sure you figured out in the name Top 30) teams also get to bring in local players, whether they went to high school or college in the state. You get 30 visits from around the country and could visit with the entire University of Minnesota roster if that’s what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to do.
In 2023 the Minnesota Vikings drafted three players that took the trip to Minnesota for a top 30 visit: Jordan Addison, Mekhi Blackmon, and DeWayne McBride. So, odds are, the Vikings will draft at least one of these players, so it’s good to get familiar with them now. These reports were compiled on Si.com by Will Ragatz. I’m expanding and giving more detail on these players. With that being said, here are every reported top 30 visits as of Friday, April 19.
Every Minnesota Vikings Top-30 Visit
Byron Murphy II DT Texas- Reported by Ian Rapoport
An almost certain first-round pick, Murphy played at a high level for Texas in 2023. Murphy was first team All-Big12 and Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year. If the Vikings can’t get a quarterback and keep pick 11, Murphy is a likely possibility.
Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo- Reported by Dane Brugler
A three-star prospect out of high school, Mitchell committed to Toledo and dominated and separated himself early from MAC competition. Mitchell is Toledo’s all-time leader in pass breakups, showing impeccable ball skills. His stock took off at the combine, running a 4.33 40-yard dash along with a 38-inch vertical, showing off his explosiveness. He’s another player who’s a slam-dunk first-round pick, and the Vikings would likely have to take him at pick 11.
Dallas Turner DE Alabama- Reported by Tom Pelissero
Turner is one of the more high-profile defensive players in this draft. He’s the betting favorite to be the first defensive player off the board, and for good reason. While he’s not the biggest guy at only 247 pounds, he sure makes up for it in explosiveness. At the combine, he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, with a 40.5-inch vertical and 10.07-inch broad jump, which all rank near the top of all defensive ends.
Charles Turner III IOL LSU- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Turner is viewed as a late-round or undrafted free agent. He played center for Heisman-winner Jayden Daniels and LSU during the 2023 season. Turner tested well at the combine, having 34-inch arms, with explosive jumps and a good shuttle time, but will have to overcome his lack of size.
Marshawn Kneeland DE Western Michigan- Reported by Tony Pauline
Another high-profile MAC prospect, Kneeland has been picking up steam throughout the last couple of weeks. He was Second Team All-MAC while leading the Broncos with 4.5 sacks in 2023. An undersized but explosive athlete (you may be sensing a trend here) he had great vertical and broad jumps, showing off explosion and burst, paired with great agility testing in the shuttle and three-cone drills. Kneeland is viewed around the league as a second-round pick, which the Vikings currently don’t have.
Taki Taimani DT Oregon- Reported by Aaron Wilson
Taimani, the 330-pound senior at Oregon played in every game in 2023 for Oregon, starting in nine. A run-stuffing specialist, PFF graded him at 82.3 in their run-defense grade. Taimaini wasn’t a combine invite, and the testing he did at Oregon’s pro day doesn’t flash great athleticism. He’s viewed as an undrafted free agent.
McCallan Castles TE Tennessee- Reported by Ryan Fowler
Castles, a sixth-year senior, finished his last year of collegiate football with 283 yards and five touchdowns. Castles is seen as a late-round pick to an undrafted free agent, as he didn’t produce a lot. Tennessee moved him around from in-line tight end to the slot, and he tested well at the combine, so there’s upside to be unlocked.
Spencer Rolland OT North Carolina (local)- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Rolland, the Apple Valley alum, tested fairly average at the combine. A two-star prospect out of high school, he committed to Harvard and played there for four years before transferring to North Carolina for the last two. He started every game for the Tar Heels, and projects as an undrafted free agent.
Khristian Boyd DT Northern Illinois- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Boyd has been on the Viking’s radar for a while now, with the two having meetings starting months ago. He wasn’t invited to the combine but tested at UNI’s pro day. His 28.5-inch vertical and eight-foot-two-inch broad jump don’t show a ton of explosiveness, and with his arms only measuring 31 5/8 inches long, he has to use his power to hold up with offensive linemen. He’s viewed as a late-round prospect.
Dillon Johnson RB Washington- Reported by Ryan Fowler
Johnson is known to most who pay attention to college football, rushing for almost 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns for an extremely dynamic Huskies offense. One of the tougher players in this draft, Johnson played in the National Championship with a knee and foot injury that clearly hobbled him but gutted through anyway.
Erick All TE Iowa- Reported by Ryan Fowler
After committing to Michigan out of high school, he played there for four years before injuring his back and required spinal surgery. He transferred to Iowa for a fifth year where he led the team in receiving while only playing in seven games due to an ACL tear. He didn’t test because of the knee injury, so the athletic numbers are unknown, but he showed flashes of being a solid athlete. The injuries are worrisome, and he isn’t the most physical player. He’s viewed as a mid-to-late day three pick.
Donovan Jennings OT South Florida- Reported by Tony Pauline
Jennings, a sixth-year senior, played all six seasons at South Florida. He set a school record in games played for USF with most of those snaps at left tackle. With 33-inch arms, he looks to convert to the interior once on an NFL roster. He projects as a late-round pick to an undrafted free agent.
Qwan’tez Stiggers CB Toronto Argonauts (CFL)- Reported by Aaron Wilson
After a long journey of being overlooked in high school and quitting football altogether, he wound up playing in the CFL for the 2023 season. He won the Most Outstanding Rookie award in the CFL, and since he didn’t play any college football, he’s allowed to declare for the NFL draft. He had a pro day at B.E.S.T Academy, his old high school, in Atlanta. Stiggers ran a 4.45 40-yard dash with a 1.52 10-yard split. At 5’11” and 205 pounds he doesn’t have the biggest build. With his short area quickness along with his determination and ability to overcome challenges, he’s an exciting middle-of-day-three prospect.
Main Image: Jay Janner / American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
