Mark Craig’s first-round NFL mock draft: What will the Vikings do at No. 24?

The first round of the NFL draft will begin Thursday at 7 p.m. Central time (ABC, ESPN, NFL Network). Green Bay is hosting the draft for the first time. Here’s what Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune thinks will happen:

Cam Ward, QB, Miami. Best player available? No. Does it matter when you’ve stunk your way to No. 1 with Will Levis as your QB1? Not in today’s NFL.

Travis Hunter, WR-CB, Colorado. Big need: QB of the future. Bigger need: Winning now to secure public money for a new stadium.

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State. General Manager Joe Schoen needs to secure his future before he reaches for the Giants’ future QB. An immediate impact defender is a better fit.

Will Campbell, OT, LSU: Protecting Drake Maye’s blind side is a top-four priority.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan: Hard to imagine a run-stopping, pocket-busting defensive tackle this good falling out of the top five.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: Pete Carroll gets the running back who is going to make his quarterback, Geno Smith, better.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: Surprise, surprise, surprise! P.S.: Ask Kirk Cousins if he thinks signing Justin Fields in free agency means the Jets won’t draft a QB in the top 10.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: The Panthers get a big receiver to help Bryce Young’s build upon his late-season surge in 2024.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: Rookie head coach Kellen Moore’s honeymoon period will be spent grooming a young and — equally important — cheap quarterback.

Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State: New coach Ben Johnson got this job because of Detroit’s great offensive line. He’s trying to build the same thing around Caleb Williams in Chicago.

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas: The rebuilding 49ers could trade down or choose to use the pick and protect Brock Purdy, whose contract is the reason for the rebuild.

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas: Another Longhorn off the board as the Cowboys fill a huge need with 4.29 speed at receiver.

Armand Membou, OT, Missouri: A fourth offensive tackle flies off the board as the Dolphins get a bookend player who didn’t allow a sack or QB hit last season.

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State: Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, Indy’s QB needs a steady target he can throw to quickly.

Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia: Walker might not fall this far, but if he does, the Falcons will pounce.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas: With so many offensive tackles gone, the Cardinals can’t resist taking the first cornerback midway through the first round.

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan: An offseason focused on offense, offense, offense will shift to defense, defense, defense in the draft.

Grey Zabel, G-C, North Dakota State: The Seahawks are weak at interior offensive line. And we all know how that can affect Sam Darnold, don’t we, Vikings fans?

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: The Buccaneers can get younger at off-ball linebacker later in the draft. Day 1 gives them one of the top corners.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: The running back class is deep, but recent drafts have reminded us that picking elite ones early isn’t a bad thing.

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss: Once Aaron Rodgers gets done kissing his mirror, Pittsburgh will fill its biggest need. Until then, let’s not forget that Cam Heyward turns 36 soon.

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan: More offensive help arrives for Justin Herbert and a unit that was held to 17 or fewer points seven times last year.

Mike Green, Edge, Marshall: Like the Vikings, Green Bay’s biggest need is cornerback. But they’ll take Green if the 2024 FBS sack king (17) is available.

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon: A league-low four picks screams trade down or take a corner ASAP. But let’s not forget that Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are on the wrong side of 30, coming off injuries and need depth behind them since they don’t play a high-snap position.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State: The Texans give C.J. Stroud one heck of a talented fellow Buckeye this low in the first round.

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky: Inside linebacker is the biggest need, but hard to pass on a ballhawk with the combine’s fastest 40 (4.28).

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina: Pairing Kyle Hamilton with a 6-3, 220-pounder with 4.38 speed and two pick-sixes a year ago – and doing it at No. 27 – is a good example of how the Ravens stay on top.

Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M: The Lions land an elite rusher and make Aidan Hutchinson even more elite on the other side.

Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia: The Commanders will be among the teams fielding trade calls from those looking to trade back into the first round for a QB. If they stay put, edge rusher is the way to go.

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss: The Bills can’t afford not to grab a cornerback high in this draft.

Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon: The Chiefs have mastered the art of choosing impact players at the bottom of the first round. Their much-needed O-line rebuild continues with strong value at 31.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College: Would you expect anything less from the Super Bowl champion Eagles than taking a pass rusher who posted 16½ sacks a year ago?

Watch Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, Emily Leiker and Michael Rand of the Minnesota Star Tribune simulate a three-round mock draft for the NFC North:

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