Another Mock Draft Reveals Splashy QB Trade for Vikings
Dustin Baker
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From about 5-10 separate entities, the Minnesota Vikings have been theorized as eager movers and shakers in the 2024 NFL Draft, pegged as a franchise that could trade up the draftboard on April 25th for a quarterback of the future.
Another Mock Draft Reveals Splashy QB Trade for Vikings
Incumbent QB1 Kirk Cousins is scheduled to hit free agency in three weeks, although general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could prevent that with a contract extension. We shall see.
And if the Vikings say goodbye to Cousins after six seasons, CBS Sports is the latest outfit to propose a mammoth trade up the board in April, this time with sights set on North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards didn’t provide a trade pricetag — it would be massive — but he did envision a Vikings’ trade up to No. 3 on draft night with the New England Patriots. Then, Adofo-Mensah would grab Maye, and voila, the post-Cousins era would begin with a promising young prospect.
Edwards explained Maye to Minnesota, “Minnesota has perused the rookie quarterback market over the past few years and has not been in a position to pounce. I tend to think New England WILL draft a quarterback, but the possibility that it is not in love with the quarterback prospects available has to be considered.”
The Vikings organically hold the 11th overall pick, a spot where it could possibly stick-and-pick a passer like J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) or Michael Penix Jr. (Washington). But the Edwards theory is significantly splashier.
“In this instance, the Patriots give the Vikings the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins,” Edwards added.
It’s worth noting that New England has a litany of roster holes, and with new leadership — Bill Belichick left after a quarter century in January — the Patriots could begin team-building through the draft. New head coach Jerod Mayo currently holds the aforementioned third overall pick in the draft, and if the Vikings inquire, the spot could be prime territory to draft Maye, for example. Heading into the 2024 offseason, with a new general manager and head coach, New England arguably has these roster holes to address:
- Quarterback
- Wide Receiver (two of them)
- Offensive Tackle (two of them)
- EDGE Rusher
So, with any luck, this could be the path for Minnesota, bartering with New England to wiggle into the draft’s top three picks. Regarding Maye, he has excited Vikings fans because of his incredible arm and Josh Allen-like mobility. He has everything, on paper, to crave in a franchise quarterback: Size, youth, and toolkit.
Some, like PurplePTSD’s Josh Frey, have quietly predicted that Maye could surpass Caleb Williams for the first overall pick.
One way or another, the Vikings will likely need a quarterback from Round 1 of April’s draft. Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles and will turn 36 this summer. Minnesota could still re-sign Cousins if his representation and the Vikings’ front office meet in the middle on a contract, but even so, Minnesota is overdue to identify and select an heir apparent.
The Vikings haven’t drafted a quarterback in Rounds 1 or 2 in 10 years and have never used a Top 10 pick on one.
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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