Questions Answered: The Tampering Penalty, Trade Partner, BPA at No. 11

kirk cousins
Apr 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins during a pregame ritual before an Atlanta United match against FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the April 22nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Questions Answered: The Tampering Penalty, Trade Partner, BPA at No. 11

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.

vikings
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell (left) and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah react during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Q: What do you think will be the outcome of the Falcons’ tampering allegations?

Tampering
Apr 21, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.

Answer: A penalty for the Falcons and basically nothing rewarded to the Vikings.

“The NFL’s investigation into alleged tampering charges against the Falcons for their involvement with then-free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Eagles for their involvement with then-free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is ongoing and could reach a conclusion as early as this week, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote Monday morning.

We believe the Falcons will be penalized in some capacity — a stripped mid- or late-round draft pick — and that’ll be that. The NFL rarely awards the aggrieved team goodies after tampering tomfoolery. It would be awesome if Minnesota received something, but we expect the punishment to target the offender.

Q: Who will the Vikings trade with on draft night to get their quarterback of the future?

Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot takes the field before the start of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.

Answer: Our formal prediction is the New England Patriots, but we won’t be shocked one bit if it’s the Los Angeles Chargers.

“We’re open to anything. Moving up, moving down. We’re open for business in the first round and every round,” defacto New England Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf said Thursday.

We believe the Patriots covet Jayden Daniels, and when the Washington Commanders draft him, New England will be willing to trade their precious third-overall pick. New England simply has too many roster holes to refuse a king’s ransom deal from Minnesota.

Q: If, for some reason, the Vikings are forced to make a pick at No. 11 (with no trades), who’s the best player available at No. 11?

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (DB27) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

A: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo.

If one assumes that Minnesota strikes out via trade for a quarterback of the future — and then evidently has some grand plan for Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix at No. 23 — Quinyon Mitchell will arguably become the best player available at No. 11. A case can be made for DTs Byron Murphy II and Johnny Newton, too.

We don’t think this will unfold — the Vikings’ forced to pick a non-quarterback at No. 11, — but if it does, watch for Mitchell, Murphy II, or Newton.

This scenario is essentially netting Mitchell and Penix Jr., for example, from the draft, which many fans might actually enjoy.


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.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily ... More about Dustin Baker