Questions Answered: An Extra Draft Pick, 2 QBs in the Draft, the Drake Maye Preference

Vikings
Minnesota Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media about the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft from the TCO Performance Center. The Vikings have long-term draft needs at quarterback, cornerback, and interior offensive line.

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the April 17th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Questions Answered: An Extra Draft Pick, 2 QBs in the Draft, the Drake Maye Preference

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.

Q: Will the Vikings get a compensatory pick if Brian Flores takes a head coaching job next offseason?

Flores Flourish
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Answer: Yes.

If Flores takes a promotion in 2025, the Vikings will get a compensatory pick — probably an extra 3rd-Rounder, which the club will need if it trades the farm in eight days for a quarterback.

Flores explained on Tuesday about no head coaching interviews during the most recent cycle, “I don’t really have control over that situation. I will say that I’m very happy where I am. It’s been a great offseason. I haven’t spent this much time with my family in a while.”

“There’s no way to know. It’s not really something I’m spending a lot of time thinking about. I try to be where my feet are, and that’s here with the Vikings. I try not to worry about things I have no control over,” Flores said Tuesday when asked if his lawsuit affected the lack of head coaching interest.

Perhaps Flores will get the chance to become a head coach next year. Until then, he’s a fantastic defensive coordinator, and Minnesota is lucky to have him in the saddle.

Q: What do you make of the theory that the Vikings could draft two quarterbacks in this draft?

vikings
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

Answer: It’s hogwash.

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson was the architect, and he envisioned a mini-tumble for Maye down the draftboard to No. 9. “The Vikings double-dip at quarterback: Minnesota drafts a falling Drake Maye in Round 1 before selecting Michael Penix Jr. early in Round 2 after a few trades,” Monson wrote this week.

In 2012, the Washington Commanders drafted Robert Griffin III in Round 1 and Kirk Cousins two days later. That might be the Monson inspiration.

But the Vikings won’t do this. They have other long-term roster matters to address. It’s just a fancy offseason take.

Q: Adam Schefter seemed to hint that Drake Maye is the Vikings’ preference in this draft. Do you believe that?

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports | Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes the ball as Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski (6) pressures in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

A: Yes.

Adam Schefter said this week, “It all depends on the team you talk to. It all depends on the team’s interest. If Minnesota were to find a way to get up to three, my sense is, and we don’t know fully, but my sense is that Drake Maye would be the preference.”

Maye’s skillset and upside would fit wonderfully — like a glove — in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. J.J. McCarthy will fit, too, but Maye is perfect. He can fling it, he’s mobile, and he has prototypical size.

Here’s to hoping the purple team makes it happen.


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 MIN 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.