The NFL Draft is one week from today, and the Minnesota Vikings, in case you haven’t heard, are hoping to move up from their current position at No. 11.
While we have heard that they are open to many outcomes on April 25, their ideal option is to trade up and secure their future quarterback.
From what we know, they like all three quarterbacks who are anticipated to be available at No. 2: Drake Maye (UNC), Jayden Daniels (LSU), and JJ McCarthy (Michigan). We don’t know which quarterback they favor or how much they prefer them.
Minnesota Vikings would like to trade up before draft night
According to Kimberly Martin (ESPN), the Vikings would want to trade up before draft night. Whether it’s No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, or a surprising move to another slot, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would rather not wait until the wildcard, which might be draft night.
Why would the Minnesota Vikings want to move up before the draft? My best guess, as it eliminates the unknown. If Kwesi can break into the top four, they will almost certainly land one of the aforementioned quarterbacks. If they can make it into the top three, they will have an option, as there are still two spots available.
Giants must have Vikings nervous at No. 6
It’s funny. I was just chatting to someone about it last night, as news came that the New York Giants were reportedly not interested in a quarterback at No. 6. The New York Giants, ranked sixth, pose the most serious threat to the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 NFL Draft aspirations.
They’re telling everyone who will listen that they don’t want a quarterback, but Adam Schefter (ESPN) and others will tell you that the Giants have done more research on quarterbacks in this draft class than just about any other team in the NFL except the Vikings.
If the Broncos or Raiders try to trade up ahead of you, say to No. 4 or No. 5, the Cardinals and Chargers (respectively) will call you first to ensure you do not offer something even bigger than those trade-up packages. Assume the board falls as expected to begin the draft.
In the above scenario, JJ McCarthy would fall to the Vikings at No. 11 if no trades were permitted. According to reports as of tonight, no team after No. 3 is interested in drafting a quarterback. Thinking more realistically, I doubt they’re concerned about getting jumped by teams behind them, such as the Broncos or Raiders.
According to @ByKimberleyA via @GetUpESPN, the #Vikings are trying to get a trade up in place BEFORE draft day 👀
“[The Vikings have] been on the phone to actively move up… in a perfect world they would start Thursday with that top-5 pick already in hand.”
🎥: @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/4otKZCea3j
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) April 18, 2024
Common sense suggests that clubs ahead of them, such as the Chargers, Falcons, and Bears, would contact the Vikings before making a draft night trade with any of those QB-hungry teams. Why? Because Kwesi & Co. might provide a better package.
Before agreeing to a trade with the Broncos, Raiders, or anyone else, those teams should contact the Vikings to see if they can obtain a better deal.
