The Minnesota Vikings are tired of having to work with another team's quarterback and have given a lot of responsibility to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Washington Post insider Jason La Canfora reported on April 4th that the Vikings are searching for their first franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton over 40 years ago — and Adofo-Mensah is under pressure before the draft.
La Canfora predicted that the Vikings will pick North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye fourth overall from the Arizona Cardinals, but the main point from La Canfora's report is the growing pressure to make the right quarterback selection.
“According to multiple people who have talked to Vikings officials this offseason, ownership has made it clear that after going year-to-year with Cousins, it wants a 15-year solution now,” La Canfora wrote. “The industry believes young GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is feeling some heat, and Maye would be the last of the top four QBs in this scenario. There would be no excuse for not moving up again at this point.”
If the Vikings aim for a 15-year commitment with their draft pick, they are probably willing to do whatever it takes to trade up and get their desired quarterback — even if it limits their ability to build the team for a few years.
The minimum asking price for a deal, if the Vikings are strongly considering this year’s draft class, should be the No. 11 and No. 23 picks this year, along with a future first-rounder.
Commanders Take McCarthy, Giants Poach No. 3 Spot for Daniels, Maye Slides to Vikings
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
La Canfora’s predictions, which take his source information into account, had a few surprising takeaways.
At No. 2 overall, He has the Washington Commanders taking J.J. McCarthy, touting McCarthy’s maturity, coachability and athleticism.
“When I asked the second evaluator for comparisons for the top four QBs, he said this about McCarthy: ‘Looks like another [Brock] Purdy to me,’ ” La Canfora wrote. “Commanders GM Adam Peters was part of the brain trust that took Purdy in San Francisco, although that was in the final round.”
The third spot in the draft may be the biggest shakeup from the consensus.
La Canfora has the New York Giants selecting Jayden Daniels No. 3 overall by trading with the New England Patriots, who have an appetite to trade down, several general managers and agents told La Canfora.
“I don’t get the sense they feel like they have to take their guy now,” one agent who had discussions with Patriots brass during the free agency process told La Canfora. “How far down they would be willing to go is the question, but this scenario only requires a drop back of three spots.”
That leaves the Vikings, outside the top three but still able to get arguably their top choice in Maye, whose draft stock has not held up through the post-combine buzz.
Kevin O’Connell is the Key for Vikings QB Plans, Not Adofo-Mensah
GettyHead coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.
While the Vikings’ quarterback selection will fall on Adofo-Mensah, it’s Kevin O’Connell who is the main person responsible for making the 15-year plan a reality in Minnesota.
O’Connell’s skill in finding, developing, and complementing quarterback talent through his play designs is what propelled him up the NFL coaching ranks.
During the interview process, O’Connell's vision for the future after Cousins had to have been a major focus for the Vikings and Adofo-Mensah.
O’Connell has succeeded with quarterbacks in the past, but choosing the right prospect should be the top priority for the franchise.
The responsibility falls on Adofo-Mensah to ensure the Vikings secure that quarterback by any means necessary — but O’Connell's handling of him could define the Vikings' next decade.