One Prediction Claims TWO More 1st-Round Trades Afoot for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings already conducted one high-profile trade pertaining to the 2024 NFL Draft, grabbing an additional 1st-Round pick in 2024 from the Houston Texans while sending two 2nd-Rounders in the deal, plus a late-round pick swap.
One Prediction Claims TWO More 1st-Round Trades Afoot for Vikings
Most Vikings fans realize another trade is around the bend, as the franchise seeks to replace Kirk Cousins, who vamoosed to the Atlanta Falcons a week and a half ago.
Well, CBS Sports got really funky this week with its next trade prediction for the Vikings, spitballing not one but two more trades afoot. In short, CBS Sports’ R.J. White claims Minnesota will first do business with the Los Angeles Chargers for their No. 5 pick — and then turn around to flip that pick to the New England Patriots for the No. 3 prize.
White wrote about the first installment of the trade, the deal with Los Angeles, “Vikings receive No. 5 (520.41 points) Chargers receive No. 11 and No. 23 (560.10 points). It really feels like the Vikings have signaled they’ll do what it takes to get into position to draft a quarterback. I think it’ll ultimately result in making two moves, a la the Carson Wentz trade of 2016 that saw the Eagles move from No. 15 to No. 8 to No. 2.”
The working theory on his deal would suggest that the Patriots want a Top 5 pick, and Minnesota doing business with Los Angeles first would do the trick.
White then explained the follow-up trade — yes, a third deal: “Vikings receive No. 3 (658.52 points). Patriots receive No. 5 and 2025 first-round pick. In both these deals, the Vikings are sacrificing enough value that the other teams should be open to accepting. It feels like a lot giving up three first-round picks; the 49ers did exactly that and also included a future third to get from No. 12 to No. 3 three years ago, but those future firsts are worth less in our chart than the No. 23 overall pick.”
If White were correct, Minnesota would presumably select Drake Maye (North Carolina). And if not Maye, Jayden Daniels (LSU), if all of the draft analysis pointing toward Washington’s ardor about him proves to be incorrect. There’s also a chance that the Vikings’ front office utterly adores Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and picks him at No. 3.
White concluded, “Still this is a relatively simple solution for the Vikings to consider in their quest for a quarterback. The Patriots lose out on drafting a QB but may not be in the best position as an organization to take one anyway, and their consolation prize will be a blue-chip receiving talent they also desperately need, as well as what could be a pretty high first-round pick next year with the Vikings likely starting a rookie under center.”
Believe it or not, the theory makes sense. Vikings fans have spent the last 10 days thinking about a singular trade partner between now and draft night, but a two-way path isn’t strange at all.
Minnesota has never used a Top 10 draft pick on a quarterback, raising the stakes for April 25th when the club announces its grand offseason climax.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.