The top of the NFL draft remains uncertain, as all but the Chicago Bears (No. 1) among the top five teams could potentially trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Washington Commanders (No. 2) and New England Patriots (No. 3) are both in need of quarterbacks and have indicated their intention to seek one in the draft. However, the Vikings have the option to leverage their three first-round picks over the next two years to move into the top three.
Darren Wolfson of KSTP discussed the possibility of trades with the Commanders and Patriots on SKOR North, suggesting that a trade is likely “in play.” While speculation is high, there are differing opinions on who Washington might select at No. 2, with some believing J.J. McCarthy is the likely choice, while others argue for Jayden Daniels. It remains unclear if Washington would even consider moving off the second pick.
In summary, while it’s uncertain if the Vikings will move up to No. 2, there’s a strong possibility they could target the No. 3 pick held by the New England Patriots.
The Minnesota Vikings have expanded their possibilities for securing a franchise quarterback by trading into the top three picks of the NFL Draft.
If the Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams of USC with the first overall pick, as many NFL analysts anticipate, the Minnesota Vikings will have a choice of quarterbacks that includes Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted at the possibility of McCarthy being the top QB on Minnesota’s draft board, although this interpretation is subjective.
A more concrete indication that Maye could be favored comes from the Vikings’ recent hiring of Josh McCown, who coached Maye in high school. Daniels is known for his explosive dual-threat abilities, which helped him become a Heisman Trophy contender last year. Analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. believe Daniels could be selected second overall by Washington, suggesting that if he falls to the Vikings, they might choose him.
The Vikings secure a top quarterback prospect through a trade with the Patriots.
The Vikings are aiming to secure a top quarterback prospect through a trade, prioritizing a high draft pick to ensure they can select the player they prefer. While trading with the Chargers at No. 5 doesn’t guarantee one of the top four prospects, a deal with the Cardinals at No. 4 would. However, this would leave the Vikings with no choice in which player they get.
To secure more agency in their selection, the Vikings are considering breaking the bank to move into the No. 3 spot. This move would likely cost them their No. 11 pick in 2024 and their first-round pick in 2025. The proposed deal with the Patriots for the No. 3 pick would also likely involve giving up the No. 23 pick acquired from the Texans earlier in March.
By securing the No. 3 draft position, the Vikings ensure themselves a top-four prospect in a highly talented quarterback class, allowing them to choose between two of the three top signal-callers: Daniels, McCarthy, and Maye.
