The Minnesota Vikings might be close to targeting a quarterback in the 2024 draft, but they will probably need to trade to get him.
They currently have the 11th and 23rd overall picks, and they have been consistently attending pre-draft pro days.
The Vikings have been present at the pro days for Caleb Williams, and, and Drake MayeJ.J. McCarthy. Josh McCown Their quarterbacks coach attended all three workouts. They did not attend the pro days for Bo Nix or Michael Penix.
Their planned meeting with Jayden Daniels fell through, possibly as his future gets clearer.
This gives the Vikings two potential choices, with Williams expected to be the first pick to the Chicago Bears: Maye and McCarthy. Maye could be their preference.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “SportsCenter” on March 29, “It would be a perfect scenario for the Vikings. There’s a belief among some teams that Minnesota could try to trade up to get him. It would take a lot, but they have two first-round picks to make it happen.”
Maye is the second-youngest prospect among the top six quarterbacks projected to be drafted in the first round on April 25.
Multiple league execs believe he has the most potential of any of the quarterbacks in this draft and possibly any player in this draft. Josh Allen, He’s got a similar build to Justin Herbert
. Allowing him to sit for a year behind the scenes could help him develop into an All-Star.
Proposed Vikings Trade Moves Up for Drake Maye
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
ESPN’s Matt Miller released the latest iteration of his 2024 mock draft on March 27. He proposed a hypothetical trade that would give the Vikings the No. 3 overall pick from the New England Patriots.
Vikings get:
– 2024 first-round pick (No. 3 overall)
Patriots get:
– 2024 first-round pick (No. 11)
– 2024 first-round pick (No. 23 overall via CLE)
– 2025 first-round pick
“The Vikings badly need a solution under center,” Miller wrote. “Maye is big-armed and mobile, with the tools to thrive under coach Kevin O’Connell. With a star left tackle in Christian Darrisaw, arguably the league’s best receiver in Justin Jefferson and a very good WR2 in second-year player Jordan Addison, the Vikings’ offensive supporting cast is perfect for a rookie quarterback.
“Maye is raw, and in many situations it would be best for him to sit and learn for a year, but the Minnesota structure could get him on the field early. He has thrown for 7,929 yards and 62 TD passes over the past two seasons.”
The Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract. But he is viewed as little more than a stop-gap solution.
Maye would be landing into a comfortable situation from a coaching standpoint too.
Drake Maye Praises Vikings QB Coach
GettyQuarterbacks coach Josh McCown of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCown coached Maye in high school. He also used to watch film of the former Tar Heel with Darnold while the two were with the Carolina Panthers last season, per The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on March 20.
Maye described McCown as “great,” according to The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye on March 29.
“He’s always so positive,” Maye stated. “He never speaks negatively, and I believe that’s the best thing about him. He will still provide guidance.”
Combine that with the strong endorsements from current players of O’Connell, the talented supporting group along with a potentially motivated Aaron Jones, and an innovative defense providing support, Maye would be joining one of the most QB-friendly environments in the league.
