Three Teams Who Could Be Vikings Trade Partners in the 2024 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings have long been considered a team that could be interested in trading up for a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Those odds went up this past week after Kirk Cousins became an Atlanta Falcon, and the Vikings swung a trade to acquire the 23rd overall pick from the Houston Texans. However, if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were to try and move up for a quarterback, which teams could be Vikings trade partners in order to make that happen? Here is a look at three of them, and why those teams hypothetically could show interest in moving back.
New England Patriots (No. 3 Overall)
If the Vikings are going to land one of Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, this is probably the pick that they will have to acquire in order to do so. New England very easily could target a quarterback themselves, but this is a roster that has plenty of needs outside of the QB spot.
New England needs help on their defense, offensive line, and receiver. With those holes existing, the selection of a quarterback may throw that player into a very difficult situation. If the Patriots want to address their other needs, snatching Nos. 11 and 23 along with a future first could be a very attractive option.
Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5 Overall)
If the Vikings are going to make a trade to move up in the draft, the Los Angeles Chargers might make the most sense as a partner. Los Angeles currently has the No. 5 pick in the draft, but seeing as Justin Herbert is their quarterback, they won’t be interested in picking a QB at that spot.
A player they could be interested in, though, is Georgia TE Brock Bowers, who looks like one of the better tight end prospects we’ve ever seen. Trading down to No. 11 could put them at risk of missing out on Bowers, but here is a look at the teams between Los Angeles and Minnesota:
- New York Giants
- Tennessee Titans
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears
- New York Jets
None of these teams are really in need of a tight end at this point in time, so there is still a decent chance that Bowers would be available if the Chargers traded down to No. 11, particularly with the offensive line talent at the top of this year’s class.
Tennessee Titans (No. 7 Overall)
This year’s NFL Draft is chock full of talent at the offensive tackle position, and that likely is precisely the position that the Tennessee Titans want to take this spring. Tennessee gave up the fourth-most sacks in the NFL this past season (64), and with Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, and Taulia Fuaga leading the way for the class, one of them should be available with the 11th overall pick.
Titans GM Ron Carthon and Adofo-Mensah worked together in the San Francisco 49ers organization, and the two have built a connection together since that time. The two sides could work out a deal, and the Vikings may only need to give up No. 11 and a future first in order to get up to No. 7.
The problem with this trade would be that it leaves the Vikings vulnerable to the New York Giants taking a quarterback at No. 6 or another team leaping ahead of them. The only way this trade works is if the Vikings wait until Tennessee is on the board, and their ideal QB remains available.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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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.