Vikings Mock Draft: Minnesota Trades Up for a QB, but not the One You’d Expect
Josh Frey
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Every Monday here on PurplePTSD, we go over some of the possible 2023 NFL Draft scenarios for the Minnesota Vikings, and how they may go down by conducting mock drafts. There has been a lot of speculation that the Vikings could trade up to select a potential QB of the future (most examples include Anthony Richardson as the draftee). Today, we will go over just what it could look like in April if Minnesota trades up for a QB. Per usual, we will be conducting this mock draft using the simulator on NFLMockDraftDatabase.com
Day One
Round 1, Pick 8: QB Bryce Young
In the trade, the Vikings get:
- No. 8 overall
- Falcons 2024 fourth round
Falcons get:
- No. 23 overall
- Vikings 2024 first round
- Vikings 2024 third round
- Vikings 2025 first round*
*: The simulator doesn’t allow us to trade 2025 picks yet, but I would assume the Vikings will have to trade two future firsts in order to swing this deal, especially if it is for Bryce Young.
This probably isn’t what anyone expects to happen in this scenario. Bryce Young is considered QB1 of this class by many (myself included), and it would be surprising at this point to see him drop out of the top five. Consider, though, there are four teams that could be looking at picking a QB in the top 10: the Texans (No. 2 overall), the Colts (No. 4 overall), the Raiders (No. 7 overall), and the Panthers (No. 9 overall).
Young’s biggest question mark at this point is his size. We haven’t seen a player as slight as Young at QB in decades. Meanwhile, both CJ Stroud and Will Levis are much more the prototypical NFL quarterback size. There’s certainly a world where the Texans and Colts target those two prospects, and perhaps the Raiders trade for an Aaron Rodgers or sign a Jimmy Garoppolo.
Regardless, this wouldn’t be the trade scenario that I’d bet on, but this could just as easily be a way that the Vikings are able to grab Anthony Richardson by jumping the Carolina Panthers.
Day Two
Round 3, Pick 87: LB Henry To’oto’o
We’re already on an Alabama theme, so may as well stick with it. The Vikings have a need at the linebacker position, and Henry To’oto’o is a very solid pickup in the late third round of the draft.
To’oto’o brings terrific instincts to the field in pass coverage, and he is a physical player at the line of scrimmage as well. The Vikings need a player that is a more adept coverage linebacker while they develop Brian Asamoah, and this could be a great fit.
Day Three
Round 4, Pick 119: CB Garrett Williams
We’ve had Minnesota focus less on the cornerback position in some of these mocks more than a few folks may like, but it’s a possibility that we have to be prepared for. The board is not guaranteed to leave any of the top-end cornerbacks in Day 2 for the Vikings, and in this case, they have to get into the third day of the draft before finding one.
Garrett Williams has outstanding ball skills, and he can help support against the run as well. However, some concerns with his overall speed and explosiveness could drop him into the final rounds.
Round 5, Pick 160: RB Chase Brown
Simply put, the running back class in 2023 is loaded, and the Vikings probably would be wise to use one of their picks to select one of them. Chase Brown was one of the prospects that showed out at the Senior Bowl a few weeks back, and he can certainly be a depth piece to the Vikings backfield.
Round 5, Pick 177: WR Andre Iosivas
Another positive takeaway from the Senior Bowl was Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas. We’ve mocked him to Minnesota a couple times, but he could be a player that comes into the NFL with big-play potential. His speed can take the top off a defense and could be a great complement to Justin Jefferson.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.