Report: Vikings Open to Making a Big Move in the 2024 NFL Draft
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said from the get-go that this is a big offseason for the Minnesota Vikings.
A major part of that offseason includes the 2024 NFL Draft, in which Minnesota currently holds nine selections, including two within the first 50 picks. Their No. 11 overall pick in the first round is an intriguing spot for a couple reasons.
It could be a great opportunity to add a piece to their defense, or the Vikings could try to move up in the order to select their quarterback of the future. Kirk Cousins is set to enter free agency in March, and it’s time for Minnesota to begin thinking about the future of that position.
Well, according to a recent report from Ben Goessling of Star Tribune, the Vikings could be open to making a big move to slide up the first round and snatch that quarterback.
Vikings Open to Making a Big Move in the Draft
Goessling joined Paul Allen’s show on KFAN this week, and he suggested there could be a big trade in the Vikings future. “If they’re going to take one, it’s going to be someone we love or we’re not doing it,” Goessling said. “If you have to give up a couple first-round picks for future years, I don’t think they’d bat an eye at that.”
Essentially, this suggests that if the Vikings are going to take a QB in the draft, it’s going to be a guy that they’re all-in on. There won’t be any wishy-washy selections in the first round from this team, particularly at a position as important as quarterback.
“They have certainly looked at this as ‘we need to get the guy that we can plant our flag with for the next 10 years, and if it costs a lot to do that, so be it.’ I don’t think they’re going to limp in on this, so to speak, and be like, ‘Well, if it’s QB5 and we’re kind of OK with him, let’s take him anyway,’” Goessling added.
It would certainly be a risky proposition for Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell to essentially trade the farm and take a chance on a prospect, but if they aren’t going to do it now, when will they?
Adofo-Mensah signed a four-year contract with the Vikings back in January 2022, and he is halfway through that deal. It’s time for him to truly leave a lasting footprint on this franchise, and what better way to do that than try to land a true franchise QB?
That being said, it will certainly take a ton to try to trade up in the draft for one of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or Caleb Williams. Each of the top three teams in the draft order (Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots) appear to be in the market for quarterbacks this offseason, and it will take a massive trade for any of them to give up these positions.
Still, there have been reports that the Vikings were willing to make a big trade for Anthony Richardson last offseason. While that trade never happened, it certainly appears that Minnesota is going to do their best to land a quarterback this spring.
A Packer in Peril? Public Enemy No. 1 in Minnesota Could be Nearing a Trade
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.