The Minnesota Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency last week. Minnesota quickly signed veteran Sam Darnold and then went to work looking for its quarterback of the future.
On Friday, the Vikings reached an agreement with the Houston Texans to land a second first-round pick in next month’s 2024 NFL draft. The Vikings now hold the No. 11 and No. 23 overall selections in the draft.
The move is clear: The Vikings are coming for one of the draft’s top passers — but which one?
Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Bears. Besides, Chicago isn’t trading with Minnesota to help a division rival find a quarterback. The speculation is the Vikings are focused on North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who new QB coach Josh McCown coached in high school.
This is Josh McCown coaching Drake Maye in high school.
Josh McCown is currently the quarterbacks coach of the Vikings 👀 https://t.co/RIgYzZtMc7 pic.twitter.com/MbjAWaV4Me
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 15, 2024
The Vikings could tempt the Commanders in a trade, but that’s unlikely to happen. Washington is intent on solving its quarterback problem and will likely decide between Maye or Jayden Daniels of LSU.
In a new mock draft from CBS Sports, the Vikings move up into the top three — but with New England one pick behind Washington.
As for the Commanders, they go with Daniels.
New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury gets another dual-threat dynamo and Heisman Trophy winner (with Kyler Murray being the other) in Jayden Daniels.
At No. 3, Minnesota selects Maye.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently said he thinks Washington would be more likely to listen to trade offers than the Vikings. There’s a good chance both stick in the top three, meaning Minnesota would have to settle for moving up and taking Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
