The top 5 teams in the NFL draft are uncertain about their choices, except for the Chicago Bears at No. 1. Chicago Bears (No. 1) are possible trading partners for the Minnesota Vikings.
Both the Washington Commanders (No. 2) and New England Patriots (No. 3) want quarterbacks and are likely to pursue one in this draft. The Vikings have three first-round picks in the next two years that they could use to move into the top three.
Darren Wolfson of KSTP talked to SKOR North on Tuesday, March 26 and discussed the chances of the Commanders and the Patriots making a deal with Minnesota, and he believes that a trade is definitely a possibility.
There are enough league people who really believe J.J. McCarthy is the guy for Washington at [pick No. 2]. Now hey, you reach out to some people close to Jayden Daniels, they’ll tell you, “Nope. Jayden is going No. 2.” So I’m still trying to figure out how it plays out. Heck, would Washington even move off the second pick?
If I had to bet right now — okay, so it’s reckless speculation Thursday on a Tuesday — the Vikings don’t get up to [pick No. 2]. But I do think getting up to [pick No. 3] New England is very much in play.
Vikings Provide Multiple Options for Franchise QB by Trading Into Top 3 of NFL Draft
GettyQuarterback prospects J.J. McCarthy of Michigan (left) and Drake Maye of UNC (right).
If the Bears select Caleb Williams of USC as the first overall pick, the Vikings will have quarterbacks Daniels, McCarthy, and Drake Maye.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell made comments earlier this week at the NFL Owners’ Meeting in Orlando that indicated McCarthy could be the top QB of the three on Minnesota’s draft board, though that conclusion requires some subjective interpretation.
More tangible evidence that Maye could be the guy exists in the Vikings’ recent decision to hire former NFL signal-caller Josh McCown — also one of Maye’s high school coaches in Charlotte several years ago — as their new quarterbacks coach.
The case for Daniels resides mostly in his explosive dual-threat abilities, which made him a top contender for the Heisman Trophy last year and raised his profile in mock draft boards nationwide. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN and many other analysts believe Daniels will be picked second by Washington, suggesting that the Vikings might select Daniels if he falls to them at their acquired pick.
Vikings Assure Themselves Top QB Prospect Via Trade With Patriots
GettyQuarterback Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers.
Whatever Minnesota prefers, getting a high draft pick is crucial for their plans to secure a rookie franchise QB.
Trading with the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 does not guarantee the Vikings one of the top-four prospects. Dealing with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 does, but it gives Minnesota no say in the player they end up with.
Moving up to the No. 3 spot has always been the best plan feasible for the Vikings, and is likely to require the No. 11 pick in 2024 and their first-round selection in 2025, whose placement in the draft will be unknown until next season.
The proposed deal with the Patriots will probably cost Minnesota the No. 23 pick acquired from the Houston Texans in a trade earlier in March. However, this is not a major concern for the Vikings, as it's widely assumed that they acquired the asset to strengthen an offer for the Patriots' top-three pick in 2024.
By getting the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Vikings ensure that they will get one of the top four potential players in a very skilled group of QBs. This also gives the front office the choice between two of the three quarterbacks: Daniels, McCarthy and Maye.
