More Good News for the Vikings Rolls In
Whether the Minnesota Vikings receive a 4th-Round compensatory draft pick in 2026 relies on Daniel Jones, who played for the purple team last season.
A former Vikings QB has taken the lead in a summer battle, and that’s lovely news for the purple team. Here’s why.
Jones skedaddled in free agency to the Indianapolis Colts three months ago, and if he does not start for most of the 2025 campaign, the Vikings could be in line to earn a 5th-Round compensatory selection.
Yet, all signs from Colts’ summer activities point to Jones as the presumptive starter, putting Minnesota in the driver’s seat for a 4th-Rounder.
Daniel Jones Emerges as Colts QB1 Frontrunner
There’s still about two months before Indianapolis names Jones as QB1 for 2025; however, he is trending in the right direction.
The Athletic‘s James Boyd wrote Monday, “Daniel Jones is QB1 (for now). The Colts signed the ex-Giants/Vikings quarterback in free agency to challenge Anthony Richardson for the QB1 title in Indy, and Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open quarterback competition.”
“Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, aggravated the surgically repaired AC joint in his throwing shoulder May 29 and was shut down for the rest of the spring. There is no timetable for his return, per Colts coach Shane Steichen, which further positions Jones to take over as the Week 1 starter.”
If Jones wins the competition, this is exactly how the process would start.
Why That’s Good for the Vikings
Jones must play 60.6% offensive snaps under center if the goal is for the Vikings to obtain a 4th-Round pick. It’s part of the NFL’s intricate compensatory pick process.
Suppose Richardson won the starting quarterback job or Jones ended up playing less than 60.6% of offensive plays. Minnesota would drop to a 5th-Round pick. Ask any draft nut, and she will tell you that there’s a vast drop-off between a 4th- and 5th-Rounder.
It’s what separates a mid-rounder and a late-round lottery ticket.
You, the Vikings Fan, Are a Daniel Jones Fan
So, yes — you, reading this article, are a Daniel Jones fan, at least until mid-November or so when Jones has already tabulated 60.6% of plays.
Wins and losses don’t matter for the formula, but logic suggests that the Colts probably have to play .500 or better to avoid Indianapolis benching Jones for Richardson. The Colts drafted Richardson two years ago in Round 1, and outside of a few beautiful throws, his career development has been thwarted by inconsistency and injury.
Therefore, Jones, as the QB1, feels rather close to fruition.
Daniel Jones Earning a QB1 Job in Indy Helps the Vikings
Minnesota would earn a 4th-Round pick, not a 5th-Rounder, if Daniel Jones starts more than 3/5 of the time in 2025.
Possible Draft Pick Haul
The Vikings would be eyeing this full draft haul in 2026 if Jones plays 60.6% of the time this season:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 3 (compensatory pick)
- Round 4 (compensatory pick)
- Round 5
- Round 7
- Round 7 (from HOU)
- Round 7 (compensatory pick)
Comeback Player of the Year?
NFL.com even nominated Jones for Comeback Player of the Year in 2025.
Jeffri Chadiha wrote last week, “Jones already walked into a great opportunity in Indianapolis because the Colts gave him a chance to compete for the starting job with third-year veteran Anthony Richardson. There’s every reason to believe Jones can win that battle because Richardson, since arriving in Indy as the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career and even lost his job for a couple games last season.”
“Jones knows a few things about that path — the former No. 6 overall pick was benched and eventually dumped by the Giants last year — but there’s reason to be optimistic about him today. Jones signed with Minnesota after New York released hm, which gave him an opportunity to be around another beleaguered quarterback in Sam Darnold who was turning his career around with the help of a strong coaching staff.”
Such an award for Jones would be the chef’s kiss on his career reclamation — and the Vikings’ compensatory pick dreams.
Chadiha added, “Now, Jones gets to work with a creative offensive head coach in Shane Steichen, who happens to be the same man who helped take Jalen Hurts from raw talent to MVP-caliber quarterback in Philadelphia. Steichen likes quarterbacks who can move, and his time with Hurts proved that he could think outside of the box when it comes to maximizing a signal-caller’s strengths.”
“Steichen easily could be the man to take Jones to another level, especially when considering the Colts have better skill players and offensive line play than Jones ever enjoyed in New York. Nobody saw Darnold taking off when he arrived in Minnesota. Jones could do similar things in Indy if he stays healthy.”
Jones and the Colts host the Miami Dolphins in 75 days to kick off the regular season.
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