The Vikings’ massive transaction on Friday morning positions them to make another big trade between now and April 24th.
Minnesota gained another first-round pick in this year’s draft through a trade with the Texans. They traded two second-round picks — one this year at No. 42 overall and one next year — as well as a late-round pick to Houston for the No. 23 overall pick. That means the Vikings presently have picks 11 and 23 in this year’s draft, as well as their first-round pick in 2025, to trade up for a quarterback this year.
How high can they get?
The Vikings will most likely speak with every team in the top five draft picks, from the Bears at 1 to the Chargers at 5.
A deal with Chicago seems exceedingly doubtful, despite the fact that the Bears, unlike the other two teams expected to draft a quarterback in the top three, have not yet moved their current starter. The Commanders traded Sam Howell, while the Patriots traded Mac Jones, but Justin Fields remains on Chicago’s roster. Nonetheless, the Bears are unlikely to sell Caleb Williams to a division foe, no matter what the price.
At number two, Washington is committed to drafting a quarterback after dealing Howell to Seattle. The major issue is whether it will be Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. The Vikings might offer 11, 23, and next year’s first to the Commanders, giving them two first-round picks in each of the following two rounds. If Washington doesn’t believe there is a sigThe Vikings could offer New England the same package — 11, 23, and their first pick in 2025. That may be enough to complete a deal for the third overall pick. If the Vikings believe that surrendering two extra first-round picks to move up eight spots isn’t a fair trade, they might try to acquire a Day 2 pick back. For context, the 49ers traded No. 12, two future firsts, and a future third to move up to No. 3 in 2021 for Trey Lance. However, the Vikings’ immediate first-rounder at No. 23 is more valuable than a future first.
nificant dropoff with Daniels, Maye, and J.J. McCarthy, perhaps they will accept it and then try to move back up? However, similar to Chicago, it appears like the Commanders will want to stay where they are and get their person.
The Patriots, ranked third, appear to be the most intriguing possible trade partner. They also have a significant need for a quarterback, but as the post-Belichick era begins, they may be persuaded to fill out their roster and wait to address the quarterback issue. Whereas Marcus Mariota and Jake Fromm are Washington’s current quarterbacks, the Patriots recently added Jacoby Brissett to join Bailey Zappe.
If the Vikings are going to trade up to No. 3 in the draft, they must be confident in landing both Daniels and Maye. If they had a preference for one of those players — and there is talk that they like Maye a lot — would they wait until draft night to see what Washington does at number two?
The recent track record of teams trading up into the top three for a quarterback is dismal, to say the least. But this should not be a deterrent. If the Vikings go all-in on Maye or Daniels, it’s a risk worth taking.
If the Vikings are unable to crack the top three, they should be able to move up to fourth (Cardinals) or fifth (Chargers) to assure McCarthy’s signing. He may not have the same ceiling as the top three players, but the NFL is apparently bullish on McCarthy, who appears to be a good match for Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Now that the Vikings have 11 and 23, passing the Giants at 6 and moving into the top five should be possible without trading next year’s first-round pick.
One piece of perspective is that the Vikings are expected to receive two third-round compensatory picks in the 2025 draft. They presently do not have a second or third place finish this year or next, but having three thirds next year helps to compensate.
Friday morning’s deal was fascinating. It’s hard not to believe that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a strategy to land the Vikings’ future quarterback.
