Latest TDN Mock Draft Has Wild Trade Scenario for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings have been in the heat of so many trade scenarios ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. With uncertainty surrounding some of the top QBs in this year’s class and where they may be selected, it makes sense that the Vikings could insert themselves into the thick of the race. However, this latest wild trade scenario in a mock draft from The Draft Network, penned by Jaime Elsner may take the cake.
In that mock draft, Elsner has the Vikings swinging a massive trade to move up 21 spots and take over the second overall pick. With that pick, Minnesota selects Kentucky QB Will Levis rather than Anthony Richardson or C.J. Stroud. Here’s the reasoning behind that selection:
Surprise! You may have seen the betting odds change for the No. 2 overall pick on Saturday, with Will Levis becoming the odds-on favorite. But I don’t think that’s because the Texans are taking him. I’ve heard loud rumblings that Minnesota is very active in trying to trade up for a quarterback and I think they will pull off a blockbuster here. Levis will succeed Kirk Cousins after the Vikings chose not to extend the latter beyond this season. There is a major disconnect between how fans and those inside the NFL view Will Levis. Don’t get me wrong, there are several people in the NFL who are uninterested in drafting Levis this high, but there are plenty who believe he is absolutely worth the cost with the upside to be the best passer in the class when it’s all said and done.
Indeed, Levis has skyrocketed up the betting odds for the second overall pick, especially in the aftermath of the news that the Carolina Panthers are likely to take Bryce Young with the first overall pick.
This is likely because Houston isn’t necessarily sold on a quarterback in this class, especially C.J. Stroud considering he has the same agent as Deshaun Watson. If Houston were to pick a QB here, there is a decent chance that it is Levis.
However, for the Vikings to swing such a trade, it’s hard to justify it not being for either Anthony Richardson or Stroud when Stroud certainly has the highest floor of any quarterback in this class, and Richardson has the highest ceiling due to his otherworldly athleticism.
The Vikings likely would have to move an arm and a leg in draft capital in order to land the No. 2 overall pick (Carolina had to give up two first rounders, two second rounders, and WR D.J. Moore just to move from No. 9 to No. 1). It would be a massive risk for the Vikings to move 21 spots up the board, so if they do, they need to make a move for the QB they are absolutely sold on.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.