Quarterback has been a pain point for the Minnesota Vikings ever since Kirk Cousins was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. With the uncertainty over Kirk’s health and status for next season, along with his contract situation, it’s uncertain if he’ll be in purple and gold next year. It’s with that in mind that Pro Football Network has sent Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. to Minnesota in their latest mock draft.
Here’s what author Joe Broback had to say about the selection:
After watching Minnesota without QB Kirk Cousins, the need for a quarterback becomes glaringly obvious. You simply cannot continue trotting out backups like Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, or Jaren Hall and expect to win consistently. Even if Cousins returns in the offseason, Minnesota needs a future franchise signal-caller.
Michael Penix Jr. tore apart Texas’ secondary this weekend. He throws the best deep ball in this class, but his full range of throws was on display in the Sugar Bowl. He’s used to throwing to a talented trio of pass catchers with the Huskies, but he’ll get another one with the Vikings.
What’s particularly interesting here isn’t the selection of Penix, necessarily, but rather how the Vikings wind up with him. In this mock draft, Broback has the Vikings trading up with the New York Jets to take Penix with the eighth pick.
In exchange for that pick, Broback has Minnesota sending the 12th, 43, 203rd, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Jets. It’s a lot to give up, but if you hit on the quarterback position, it’s worth it.
