Everybody Thinks the Vikings Are the Spot
It may have been a pseudo-secret, but it is not anymore.
Everybody Thinks the Vikings Are the Spot
The NFL community is realizing that the Minnesota Vikings will provide a fabulous landing spot for a rookie quarterback — so much so that it may not “even matter” which quarterback the club selects in the draft on April 25th.
Minnesota pulled off a shiny trade 2.5 weeks ago, grabbing an additional 1st-Round pick from the Houston Texans while offloading two 2nd-Rounders in the deal, plus a late-round pick swap. Most expect general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to conduct another trade between now and draft night, probably into the Top 5 for a blue-chip prospect. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) are expected to go off the board in Rounds 1 and 2.
And whoever’s name is called by the purple team, well, that guy will be in good shape. ESPN’s Paul Hembekides tweeted Monday, “The most attractive landing spot for a rookie QB — by far — is Minnesota … HC Kevin O’Connell (3rd season) | OC Wes Phillips (3rd season) | WR1 Justin Jefferson (25) | WR2 | Jordan Addison (22) | LT Christian Darrisaw (25) | RT Brian O’Neill (28). Every pillar in place.”
ESPN’s Jordan Reid echoed a similar sentiment:
And in the video above, Yahoo‘s Charles Robinson claimed an NFL general manager told him about the Vikings: “You’re going in there with an offensive-minded head coach who’s been effectively an offensive coordinator. O’Connell had gotten Cousins to that point where he arguably was playing the best football of his life. The surrounding pieces, in terms of what’s available, you have a tight end, two very legitimate wide receivers, running back … there’s just an element of setup there.”
The Vikings, indeed, showcase weaponry like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, plus Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill bookending the offensive line. It’s a glorious spot for any quarterback — which is why some are so high on veteran Sam Darnold as a patchover quarterback option in 2024.
The next step for Minnesota is how to get the guy. If it covets Maye, McCarthy, or Daniels, it must trade into the Top 5 with a team like the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, or Los Angeles Chargers. Penix Jr. and Nix will be gettable at the Vikings’ organic positions, Nos. 11 and 23.
But let it be known: folks have caught on about the next quarterback in a spot to thrive with the Vikings.
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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