Vikings Reportedly Adore One Specific Rookie QB
Dustin Baker
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While free agency will tell a clearer story next week regarding Kirk Cousins’ future, the Minnesota Vikings might be locked on one specific rookie QB with the draft about seven weeks away.
Vikings Reportedly Adore One Specific Rookie QB
This year’s quarterback draft class features a “Big 6,” including Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon), all men expected to leave the board by the end of Round 2. Williams, Maye, and Daniels could reasonably be the first three picks overall.
And according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Minnesota “adores” Maye, the North Carolina product. Lewis tucked that factoid into an article last week, and as the plot thickens on Kirk Cousins’ possible departure, Vikings fans are hanging on every clue.
Mentioning new Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown, who has ties to Maye as a high school mentor, Lewis wrote, “McCown’s presence is also useful because he can relate to veterans and has experience working with highly touted draftees (Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts, Bryce Young, etc.). Another facet to consider: McCown coached North Carolina’s Drake Maye, whom the Vikings adore.”
Maye has been featured as the Robin to Caleb Williams’ Batman for over a year in mock draft placement, and although Jayden Daniels could overtake Maye when it’s all said and done, Maye will still likely find a new team within the draft’s first five picks.
Lewis added, “Most NFL evaluators have been eyeing USC’s Caleb Williams and Maye for a couple of years. Daniels’ ascension has been different, but it hasn’t caught Minnesota off-guard. It remains unclear whether the Vikings will be willing (or able) to move heaven and earth to snag one of the three.”
Minnesota will have to “trade the farm” for the pick used on Maye, probably with the Washington Commanders or New England Patriots. It’s unclear if either team will move from their organic draft spot. Stay tuned.
The Draft Network’s Damian Parson described Maye in January, “He can alter the pace and tempo of his throws based on the target window. He makes routine NFL throws at all three levels of the field. He has the arm strength to drive passes into tight windows. Maye’s arm talent gives his offense access to the entire field. His work in the quick passing game provides his receiving options the opportunity to gain yards after the catch. Maye’s touch and arc on passes are impressive.”
Maye also possesses prototypical size at 6’4″ and 230 pounds and isn’t afraid to get out of the pocket and move. At heart, he’s a pocket passer who can “do both” in the way of slinging the rock and getting mobile when necessary.
The large hurdle is how to get the man. Minnesota must either pray he tumbles down the draftboard — which is unlikely — or conduct a splashy trade with the aforementioned Commanders or Patriots, for example.
But let it be known that the Vikings’ brass evidently adores the 21-year-old.
Minnesota hasn’t drafted a quarterback in Round 1 since 2014 and has never chosen one in the Top 10.
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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