The NFL draft is just two months away, and things are going to start falling into place quickly. The NFL’s free agency period is coming up next month, and the NFL scouting combine kicks off next week. Both of those are going to have a significant impact on what teams like the Minnesota Vikings plan to do with the NFL draft.
Minnesota’s biggest question mark heading into the NFL draft is at quarterback. During a media conference call, NFL draft expert gave some insights into his thoughts on the Vikings options and potential thought process.
When asked by a member of the media which of the “next group of QBs” (Bo Nix, Michael Penix, and J.J. McCarthy) the Vikings may target if they were to stay at the 11th pick and take a quarterback, Jeremiah had this to say:
That’s a good one. I would say — man, I would probably
lean more towards McCarthy on that one. I just think everything he does in terms of accurately delivering the football, his ability to move around a little bit, I think the way he sees everything and kind of plays under control, I think Kevin O’Connell would like him. And he can still use his legs to get out and get going a little bit. That would be the one off the top of my head that would make some sense there.
Jeremiah was also asked about the potential for the Vikings to move up in the NFL draft if they wanted to target one of the presumed top three quarterbacks: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Here’s what Jeremiah had to say on that idea and the cost associated with moving up in the draft:
If you are looking at — if they wanted to trade up, if we put them into that formula we were talking about to get up to number three, you’re talking about the 11th pick, the first round pick in ’25 and a first round pick in ’26. That would be the cost for them to get up to number 3 if you are the Minnesota Vikings if they wanted to get one of the top three guys.
Giving up a first next year and in 2026 would be a steep price to pay, and one that would almost certainly result in the Vikings cleaning house if the move doesn’t pan out. But the NFL is becoming more and more reliant on a great quarterback, and if you get the pick right and hit a home run, no one is going to care how much you gave up to get him.
Will the Vikings be that bold come April? Do they have strong feelings about McCarthy or someone else in that “next group”? Or will they opt to do whatever it takes to bring Kirk Cousins back and kick the can on the future QB situation for another year or two? We’ll find out in April!
