The Vikings’ Crowded Draft Kerfuffle
Dustin Baker
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With or without Kirk Cousins on the 2024 roster, the Minnesota Vikings almost must select a quarterback in Round 1 or 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Otherwise, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell will attach their employment outlook to Cousins indefinitely, and rarely do new leaders take over a franchise and refrain from choosing a rookie quarterback.
The Vikings’ Crowded Draft Kerfuffle
But there’s a problem: The Vikings outlandishly are not alone.
Oodles of teams need quarterbacks. Of course, the demand varies, but here’s the kerfuffle.
The Absolutelys
With no debate whatsoever, outside of a splashy unforeseen trade for a veteran, these NFL teams need a rookie quarterback in the upcoming draft:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New England Patriots
- Washington Commanders
And, you, the Vikings fan, must decide if Minnesota should be a part of this group or the next.
For context, these rookie passers will or could be scooped from Round 1:
- Caleb Williams (USC)
- Drake Maye (North Carolina)
- Jayden Daniels (LSU)
- Michael Penix (Washington)
- Bo Nix (Oregon)
- J.J. McCarthy (Michigan)
That’s six dudes for ATL, DEN, LV, NE, and WAS — not including the Vikings. Something’s gotta give.
The Maybes
These teams might select a quarterback of the future in April:
- Chicago Bears
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears hold the almighty domino, deciding on Justin Fields’ fate in the next few months. If these four teams opt for a fresh face at quarterback from the draft, that’s 10 teams seeking six 1st-Rounders (with Quinn Ewers’ status unknown).
The Plan for the Futures
The fun part, these clubs may want to draft a quarterback now to prepare for 2025:
- Los Angeles Rams
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
This little list could also include the New York Jets, but it might be unlikely for a team welcoming Aaron Rodgers back to draft a youngster.
LAR, NO, NYG would hypothetically nudge the total to 13 teams seeking six 1st-Round QBs.
The Wildcard
Finally, this organization could stick with Kyler Murray or trade him elsewhere while using a high 1st-Round pick on Williams, Maye, or Daniels:
- Arizona Cardinals
When the dust settles, Murray will probably stay, as his financial commitment in Arizona is robust.
The Full List, Summarized
Including the Vikings, 14 teams could be in the market for a QB1 this offseason. These are those teams:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals
- Chicago Bears
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Commanders
If you’re in the camp wanting the Vikings to draft “the next guy,” you’ll have to hope Adofo-Mensah knows how to move and shake on draft night.
The Cautionary Tale about Jaren Hall
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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