Potential Vikings Trade Partner in the 2024 NFL Draft Comes Off the Board
This week, the Minnesota Vikings signed QB Sam Darnold in free agency as an immediate replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Even still, many have pegged the Vikings as a potential team to select a quarterback in this spring’s draft. Siting at 11th overall, a Vikings trade to move up the board may be the best path to land a top prospect at the position.
However, a potential trade partner more than likely has come off the board after the Washington Commanders sent Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks.
Vikings Trade Partner Comes off the Board
The trade was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, who tweeted, “Another QB trade: Commanders are sending last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks in a pick swap, per sources. Trade: Seahawks receive Howell, a fourth-round pick (No. 102), a sixth (No. 179). Commanders receive a third (No. 78) and a fifth (No. 152).”
Washington selected Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. After the Commanders went through a tumultuous 2022 season, starting a combination of Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz, Washington turned the ball over to the young QB in 2023.
Throughout the year, Howell started all 17 games and completed 63.4% of his passes for 3946 yards and 21 touchdowns. Impressive numbers for a first-year starter, but he also led the league with 21 interceptions during the season.
As a result of their 4-13 record last season, Washington currently holds the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Because of some promising moments from Howell, some have speculated that the Commanders could opt to trade that pick in order to pick up future first-round assets as they continue to rebuild.
Of course, the Vikings would have been an intriguing partner for that second overall pick particularly to select a player like Jayden Daniels out of LSU or Drake Maye out North Carolina.
However, it no longer appears that this will be an option for Minnesota now that Washington has moved off Howell in favor of some extra mid-round capital. Currently, Washington has Marcus Mariota and Jake Fromm on their roster, who don’t exactly represent promising starting options.
A few potential trade partners remain for the Vikings. Of course, the Patriots could be a partner at No. 3 overall. Further down the board, keep an eye on the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 and the Tennessee Titans at No. 7.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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.
