The Craziest Vikings Mock Draft You’ll Read

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Oregon quarterback Bo Nix celebrates after running for a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The Minnesota Vikings must get the quarterback position right this offseason. Following the departure of Kirk Cousins and stockpiling a pair of first-round picks, it seems Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is loading up to make a big move. Regardless of what you may have seen, this could be the craziest suggestion yet.

The Craziest Vikings Mock Draft You’ll Read

Yes, Drake Maye makes a ton of sense if the Vikings want to trade up and grab someone within the top three picks. They aren’t going to get the Chicago Bears to move off of the first pick and select Caleb Williams. They could probably influence Washington or New England if they want Maye or Jayden Daniels. Beyond that, they definitely have the ammunition to grab Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

vikings mock draft
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

What if they just say moving up isn’t necessary, we have Sam Darnold?

No, there isn’t a scenario in which Minnesota should pass on drafting a first-round quarterback from this class. There is one where taking Bo Nix in a realistic spot could be fruitful though. They shouldn’t need the 11th overall pick to accomplish that feat, and that means there is an avenue in which the Vikings could grab a third selection within the first round.

Minnesota could trade the 11th overall pick and pick up a second or third in the process. In this scenario, only Williams, Maye, and Daniels are off the board at the most important position in sports. If McCarthy is also gone, then the selection becomes a bit less valuable, but if he’s on the board, they could probably command something short of a ransom.

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Grabbing Nix would mean taking the last quarterback with a first-round grade, and it would be heavily reliant upon Kevin O’Connell and Josh McCown’s ability to develop their prospect. With Darnold already rostered, a pair of projects in a situation with ideal leaders could definitely bear fruit. There would be no reason for Nix to start in year one, and evaluating Darnold without an immediate threat breathing down his neck could work out for everyone involved.

Minnesota could be close to the competition by getting the quarterback position right because of their skill position players. However, the division’s strength has significantly increased as a whole, and ensuring the roster is sustained for success both now and in the future is a must. The more top picks that can be executed, the better, and trusting your own internal process might be enough to break a traditional mold.

case for bo
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Forget moving into the top three. Don’t grab one of the four best consensus quarterbacks. Quack like a duck, add two more, and execute on nearly 10% of the first-round selections.


Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.