Top 30 visitsaren’tan 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 (asI’msure you figured out in the name Top 30)teamsalso 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 ifthat’swhat general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to do.
In 2023the 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 thatbeingsaid, 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. Ifthe Vikingscan’tget 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 Toledoand dominated and separatedhimself early from MAC competition.Mitchell isToledo’sall-time leader in pass breakups, showing impeccable ball skills. His stock took off at the combine, running a 4.33 40-yard dashalong witha 38-inch vertical, showing off his explosiveness.He’sanother playerwho’sa 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’sthe betting favorite to be the first defensive player off the board, and for good reason. Whilehe’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 ranknear the top of all defensive ends.
Charles Turner III IOL LSU- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Turneris viewedas 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, butwillhave to overcome his lack of size.
Marshawn Kneeland DE Western Michigan- Reported by Tony Pauline
Another high-profile MAC prospect,Kneelandhas 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)hehad great vertical and broad jumps, showing off explosion and burst,paired withgreat agility testing in the shuttle and three-cone drills. Kneeland is viewedaround the league as a second-round pick, which the Vikings currentlydon’thave.
Taki Taimani DT Oregon- Reported by Aaron Wilson
Taimani, the 330-pound senior at Oregonplayed 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. Taimainiwasn’ta combine invite, andthe testing he didatOregon’spro daydoesn’tflash great athleticism.He’sviewedas 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 hedidn’tproducea lot. Tennessee moved him around from in-line tight end to the slot, and he tested well at the combine, sothere’supside to be unlocked.
Spencer Rolland OT North Carolina (local)- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Rolland, the Apple Valley alum, testedfairlyaverage 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 TarHeels,and projects as an undrafted free agent.
Khristian Boyd DT Northern Illinois- Reported by Darren Wolfson
Boyd has been on theViking’sradar for a while now, with the two having meetings starting months ago. Hewasn’tinvited to the combine but tested atUNI’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’sviewedas 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 foran extremelydynamic Huskies offense.One of thetougherplayers in this draft,Johnsonplayed 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 fifthyearwhere he led the team in receiving while only playing in seven games due to an ACL tear. Hedidn’ttest because of the knee injury, so the athletic numbers are unknown, but he showed flashes of being a solid athlete. The injuries areworrisome, and heisn’tthe most physical player.He’sviewedas a mid-to-late day three pick.
DonovanJennings 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 USFwithmost of those snaps at left tackle. With 33-inch arms,helooks 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 woundup playing in the CFL for the 2023 season.He won the Most Outstanding Rookie award in the CFL, and since hedidn’tplay any college football,he’sallowed 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. At5’11”and 205 pounds hedoesn’thave thebiggestbuild. With his short area quicknessalongwith his determination and ability to overcome challenges,he’san exciting middle-of-day-three prospect.
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