The Minnesota Vikings have positioned themselves to move up to No. 4 or No. 5 in the upcoming NFL draft to select a quarterback, but the team has the ammunition to aim higher.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN examined the Vikings’ trade with the Houston Texans on Saturday, March 16, in which Minnesota added the No. 23 pick, and what it means for franchise’s future at QB. Barnwell acknowledged the deal that makes the most sense is still a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, who own the fifth overall selection.
However, if the Vikings are willing to include wide receiver Justin Jefferson or left tackle Christian Darrisaw, they could potentially get into the top three and make a play for one of the best three QB prospects in the 2024 class: Caleb Williams of USC, Jayden Daniels of LSU or Drake Maye of UNC.
“The [New England] Patriots need solutions at wide receiver and left tackle, and the Vikings have standouts at both positions … but trading either player as part of a move would set that new quarterback behind before he ever steps on the field,” Barnwell wrote. “And while Nos. 11 and 23 wouldn’t be enough to land the third pick, Nos. 11, 23 and either Jefferson or Darrisaw would be too expensive of a price to pay. If the Vikings do make a move with the Patriots, it would have to be their two first-rounders and a future first-rounder as the basis for a deal.”
