The NFL Draft commences in slightly over three weeks, with the Minnesota Vikings possessing two first-round selections – numbers 11 and 23.
The plans regarding those picks remain uncertain, with various speculations abound. It’s widely speculated that they may combine the two picks, potentially along with an additional future draft selection, to trade up into the top five of the draft in pursuit of a potential franchise quarterback.
The Bears hold the first pick and are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Following them, the Washington Commanders hold the second pick, with the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and L.A. Chargers trailing behind. It’s anticipated that the Commanders will opt for a quarterback, while the Patriots are considering trading their third pick. Meanwhile, both the Cardinals and Chargers are not in need of quarterbacks.
Should the Vikings trade up into the top five, they would likely have the opportunity to choose between J.J. McCarthy, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye. The decision on which route to take remains uncertain.
DRAKE MAYE – NORTH CAROLINA
Drake Maye garnered Second Team All-ACC honors last season, tallying over 3,600 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions across 12 starts. Notably, he achieved this despite his primary receiver facing eligibility issues. Maye’s exceptional performance led him to be named ACC Player of the Year in 2022, and he showcased his skills impressively during his Pro Day. His confidence and apparent readiness to lead an NFL offense are evident. With guidance from Kevin O’Connell, Maye could prove to be an excellent addition for the Vikings.
J.J. McCARTHY – MICHIGAN
Few players have generated as much attention or witnessed their NFL Draft prospects soar as much in the past two weeks as Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the question remains:
is this surge genuine or merely a tactic to prompt teams to consider moving up to acquire him? McCarthy recently clinched a national title with the Wolverines and earned accolades such as Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and First-Team All-Big Ten selection. Operating within a pro-style offense that heavily relied on the running game, he amassed nearly 3,000 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
While he possesses the ability to execute all kinds of throws, the lingering uncertainty lies in his readiness to face NFL defenses. Despite the ambiguity, McCarthy’s name carries significant allure in the draft landscape.
JAYDEN DANIELS – LSU
Jayden Daniels, who secured the Heisman Trophy while playing for LSU this past season, poses a dual threat with his running and passing abilities, making him a highly coveted prospect. His impressive statistics underscore this, as he ranked fifth in the nation with 3,812 passing yards, second with 40 touchdowns, and boasted a completion rate of over 72 percent.
Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the sole player in FBS history to achieve both 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards throughout his career.
The Vikings have either conducted or will conduct private workouts with all three quarterbacks.
Should the Vikings acquire one of these three quarterbacks, it seems improbable that Sam Darnold would remain the Week 1 starter. Alternatively, there’s a possibility that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah retains both picks, selects a defensive player at No. 11, and opts for either Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. at No. 23. Regardless, the next three weeks are sure to be rife with rumors and speculation.
