The Two Vikings Trade Partners Who Make the Most Sense in the 2024 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings have been in need of a quarterback ever since Kirk Cousins decided to leave for the Atlanta Falcons.
As a result, many have pointed to Minnesota as a team that could trade up the draft board in order to select a quarterback. While this is certainly in the Vikings’ best interest if they want to land one of the top four QB prospects, they will need to find a willing partner in order to make a trade happen. As of now, it appears that two teams could make the most sense as a Vikings trade partner.
The Most Likely Vikings Trade Partners
In order for the Vikings to swing a trade up the draft board, they will not only need to put together a decent enough package of draft picks, but they will also need to find a team that can justify moving down without missing out on top prospects at their positions of needs.
The Los Angeles Chargers seem like the most obvious team who could fit this category. Sitting at No. 5 overall, Los Angeles has some pretty major needs at both offensive tackle and wide receiver. Considering the depth at these positions in this year’s draft, it is entirely feasible that the Chargers could move down the board and still end up with a top-tier player at one of those positions, such as WR Rome Odunze or OT Taliese Fuaga.
Meanwhile, the price tag for the Vikings might not be ridiculously high to move up to No. 5. The Rich Hill trade value chart suggests that Minnesota actually would be overpaying to give Los Angeles both Nos. 11 and 23 for No. 5. Minnesota’s picks hold a value of 703 points according to the chart while the No. 5 pick is worth 468 points.
This isn’t an exact science, of course. The Vikings probably will need to overpay in order to move up since everyone knows that a trade up from Minnesota will be for a quarterback, and there more than likely will be competition from other QB-needy teams for a trade up.
Using similar logic, a sneaky trade partner for Minnesota could be the Tennessee Titans. This type of trade comes with a bit more risk since they are slated to pick at No. 7 right behind the New York Giants who could be another team interested in a quarterback.
However, if New York were to opt for a wide receiver, a trade with the Titans may open the door to Minnesota moving up just enough to snatch the fourth QB in the class. Looking at Tennessee’s needs, the most obvious is offensive tackle. Just like Los Angeles they can reasonably trade down the board, snatch some extra draft capital, and still land a top player at the position.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Titans GM Ron Carthon have a strong relationship going back to their time together working for the San Francisco 49ers. This doesn’t mean that the Vikings will get a discount deal from Tennessee, but the two sides should at least be open to working together.
Seeing as the Hill trade chart suggests there is only a 68-point difference between No. 7 (426 points) and No. 11 (358 points), perhaps the Vikings could even get away with making a trade while keeping No. 23 in their arsenal.
In all, the Vikings certainly have multiple options in terms of trading up for a QB, but Los Angeles and Tennessee may be the two to keep a close eye on.
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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.