NFL analysts predict Vikings will trade up to draft QB

Add Dan Graziano, Jordan Reid and Kevin Seifert of ESPN to the growing list of NFL analysts who believe the Minnesota Vikings will move up from the No. 11 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft order with a quarterback in mind. 

"The Vikings will package three first-rounders (including future years) and move up to No. 3," Graziano predicted in a piece published Monday. Interestingly, Graziano added he could see the Washington Commanders "pulling a bit of a surprise in selecting" North Carolina Tar Heels signal-caller Drake Maye instead of LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick. Such a scenario would leave Daniels for the Vikings. 

Minnesota seemingly is preparing to move up in the draft order after quarterback Kirk Cousins left the club to join the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Most continue to expect the Chicago Bears will make USC Trojans star Caleb Williams the draft's first pick, while many have linked Washington with Daniels. The New England Patriots currently possess the third overall choice and may or may not be low on Maye. 

"I'm watching for the Vikings to present the Patriots with an offer that they can't refuse -- No. 11, No. 23, a 2025 first-rounder and an added day three pick this year to jump to No. 3 in order to select Maye or Daniels," Reid said for the article. Reid mentioned that the Vikings have Sam Darnold as a bridge option at the position who could start if it's determined that a rookie such as Maye or Daniels needs to sit this fall. 

As for why the Vikings would move up, multiple reports have suggested that the New York Giants hope that either Maye or Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be available to them at pick No. 6. Thus, Seifert thinks Minnesota will acquire the No. 4 overall selection from the Arizona Cardinals and then have either Daniels, Maye or McCarthy develop under head coach Kevin O'Connell as that rookie sits behind Darnold "for part or even all" of the 2024 season. 

The Patriots reportedly could hold onto the third pick through the start of the draft on the night of April 25, so Minnesota may want to work something out with Arizona sooner rather than later in case individuals within the Patriots decide to stay put and take a quarterback at No. 3.