The Vikings Upcoming QB Trade: 10 Predictions

Dustin Baker   |  

Mar 24, 2024

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The Minnesota Vikings own two 1st-Round picks in April’s draft, more than any quarterback-needy NFL team besides the Chicago Bears.

The Vikings Upcoming QB Trade: 10 Predictions

That gives Minnesota the ammunition to trade up the board for a quarterback of the future, so we asked VikingsTerritory writers to predict the future: the trade target, the trade partner, and the trade price. These were their responses.

1. Drake Maye from Chargers Trade

Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry

The Vikings shoot their shot for a QB they believe can become a true franchise cornerstone for a decade (or more); meanwhile, Harbaugh gets to keep building around Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, and Quentin Johnston.

2. Drake Maye from Patriots Trade

Prediction Maker: Josh Frey

The Patriots will be a popular trade candidate for many QB-needy teams, which could increase the price. Still, the Vikings have an appealing package with two 2024 firsts, so they get the deal done to move up for their QB of the future.

3. Drake Maye from Patriots Trade

Prediction Maker: Cole Smith

The extra pick from Houston won’t be enough to protect all future assets, but the 2025 first will be an easy pill to swallow if the Vikings get their guy.

4. J.J. McCarthy from Chargers Trade

Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker

Vegas claims McCarthy will be the guy for Minnesota, and it’s hard to dispute that with about one month to go before the event. It would be a “Vikings thing” to miss out on someone as awesome as Drake Maye, so let’s go with McCarthy to Minnesota, which everyone will soon fall in love with.

5. J.J. McCarthy from Chargers Trade

Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson

Harbaugh boosters run game/draft stock, and the Vikings get QB of the future.

6. J.J. McCarthy from Cardinals Trade

Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler

Getting into the top three, with three QB-needy teams, doesn’t seem likely. This is where Minnesota strikes.

7. J.J. McCarthy from Cardinals Trade

Prediction Maker: Adam New

Dangling the carrot of the prospect of three first-round picks in 2023 is enough to get the Cardinals to deal.

8. J.J. McCarthy from Cardinals Trade

Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt

The Vikings use the previously acquired draft capital to facilitate a trade with the Cardinals, a team that needs to fill more holes and is willing to trade down. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is exactly what head coach Kevin O’Connell wants: a guy whose poise and physical skills allow him to steer his offense.

9. J.J. McCarthy from Cardinals Trade

Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui

It’s hard to see the Vikings giving up the 11 and 23, along with next year’s first for Maye. While he may be very good, that’s also a lot for an unproven player. High picks aren’t always good. Maybe McCarthy will also end up being better. Who knows? Or perhaps he won’t be as good, but still good, and the Vikings then keep next year’s first and possibly get a stud at that pick, too.

10. J.J. McCarthy from Cardinals Trade

Prediction Maker: Cody Spears

Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is a creative thinker who won’t be afraid to maneuver through the draft, and Arizona is the Vikings’ best bet after three QBs go 1, 2, 3.

Also Read:
4 Burning Questions Remaining for the Vikings Offseason

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.