Top Trade Scenarios for Vikings Draft — Ranked
Dustin Baker
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Some 14 weeks of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason are in the rearview, with free agency basically over and the 2024 NFL Draft 12 days away.
Top Trade Scenarios for Vikings Draft — Ranked
The club has onboarded 14 new free agents, re-signed internal players, and even delivered a blockbuster trade one month ago in preparation for the draft, which will feel like a grand offseason crescendo. All Vikings fans’ eyes have turned to the draft, and rightfully so. The organization needs a quarterback of the future after Kirk Cousins departed for the Atlanta Falcons in March.
So, with the NFL draft less than two weeks away, these are the four likeliest 1st-Round trade scenarios, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to occur).
4. Trade with Washington Commanders
Three 1st-Round Picks + 2nd-Rounder in 2026
The Draft Spot: No. 2 Overall Pick
The Target: Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye
The Commanders seem unlikely to move away from their organic selection, but if they do, it will cost a godforsaken trade package. Most sportsbooks believe Jayden Daniels will head to Washington, and Daniels’ collegiate head coach might’ve spilled the beans a couple of weeks ago.
Still, Washington’s front office made it clear last month that it will at least listen to trade offers.
Head coach Dan Quinn said on NFL Network, “I would anticipate (GM Adam Peters) fielding these calls as it goes through, and usually it’s not necessarily later than No. 6 or 7, but those people who are usually in the top four or five, there’s somebody that somebody has targeted, and I think it’s mostly like ‘Well, I’ve got to take a shot!'”
He added, “A lot of times it’s no, like ‘Thanks for calling’ but it is part of the process, and you have to do your due diligence to listen and to find out just to make sure, like is there something that you just couldn’t refuse. I think anybody in personnel with the skills of Adam, they’re going to listen, but there’s only so many things that you’d consider, and it’d better be really good.”
3. Trade with Arizona Cardinals
Two 1st-Round Picks + 2nd-Rounder in 2026
The Draft Spot: No. 4 Overall Pick
The Target: J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye
Cardinals boss Monti Ossenfort has stated his team is open for business with bright flashing lights. He’s the quintessential type of guy to stockpile draft picks.
But he may want three 1st-Rounders for his pick because it will inevitably be used on a quarterback, so he can basically price gauge. It could be more likely for the Denver Broncos to do business with Arizona than Minnesota, hoping to scavenge the fourth passer off the board.
2. Trade with New England Patriots
Three 1st-Round Picks
The Draft Spot: No. 3 Overall Pick
The Target: Drake Maye
If the Vikings want Drake Maye, this is probably “the lock” to get there. Indeed, it won’t be cheap, likely requiring three 1st-Rounders and perhaps then some.
But New England lives in a roster-building spot like the Carolina Panthers last year, where if it drafts Maye or Daniels, well, it better get ready for a bumpy and lumpy season. There’s just not enough offensive line protection, playmaker weaponry, or pass rush for a rookie passer to succeed.
That’s why many Vikings fans maintain this pick is tradeable for New England — into the willing arms of Minnesota.
1. Trade with Los Angeles Chargers
Two 1st-Round Picks
The Draft Spot: No. 5 Overall Pick
The Target: J.J. McCarthy
Call it the compromise.
Here, the Vikings can do business with Los Angeles, surrender two — not three — 1st-Round picks, and draft J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota won’t have to sacrifice a 1st-Rounder next year; it would still fetch a promising young quarterback in McCarthy and can boast high expectations for life after Kirk Cousins.
For Los Angeles, it can flip the Vikings’ two 1st-Rounders to build out the roster for the Harbaugh era. It needs playmakers and probably another offensive lineman.
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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.
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