There Are 3 Key Players for Minnesota’s Draft Plans
The Minnesota Vikings have the 24th overall pick, a somewhat valuable asset, but then only three more draft slots. That would be the smallest draft class in franchise history, followed by a pair of five-player classes in 2008 and 2009.
There Are 3 Key Players for Minnesota’s Draft Plans
To combat that reality, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could make the logical move and trade back. However, to get an offer that makes sense, someone actually has to be willing to get up. And not just willing, desperate.
When do NFL teams get really desperate in the draft? When they fear their quarterback target might not make it to their next draft pick. Passers are always a hot commodity in a QB league, even in an underwhelming class like this one, because there are teams that desperately need a young arm that they are fine with overspending.
The 3 Guys
Miami’s QB Cam Ward is widely expected to be the first player taken, about nine minutes after commissioner Roger Goodell opens the draft.
But then, there’s a mystery surrounding Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. He’s a controversial player. Some love him, others hate him. How teams feel about him, especially those with quarterback questions, remains to be seen.
Furthermore, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is also controversial. Quarterbacks usually aren’t supposed to be built like a linebacker with running back speed. His arm is a big question mark, however.
The other guy? Jaxson Dart, and you guessed it, a controversial player. Just like Matt Corral (who also had a pretty bad short-term Vikings stint), he played at Ole Miss in a system that didn’t ask him to do certain things, and therefore, is somewhat of a projection coming out.
Sanders could go anywhere from the top five to the late-first. If he’s there at 24, the Vikings could get some calls. Milroe and Dart could be intriguing players later in the first round, too. They could also tumble all the way to the third round like the guys in the 2022 draft, but that’s what makes the draft great. Nobody really knows until Goodell makes the call.
Which Teams Could Be Interested?
The primary teams that don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback and aren’t that far away from 24 are the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. If they go with standout prospects Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter in the first, they could pay the premium and trade up from picks 33 and 34, respectively.
Cleveland is a huge train wreck because the Deshaun Watson deal has been a disaster. He played poorly prior to his injury and then suffered a torn Achilles, but the Browns are stuck with a fully guaranteed contract. It’s Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett at quarterback for Cleveland in 2025, and ex-Viking Kevin Stefanski needs someone to develop behind them.
The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, but let’s be honest, in 2025, that is only a one-year bridge situation and the old regime that allowed Saquon Barkley to walk and gave Daniel Jones a big contract, needs to find some succession plan after winning only nine games in the last two seasons combined.
The Saints draft a second time at 40. There’s a chance they once again skip the vital position with their 9th pick. With Derek Carr’s future in jeopardy due to a shoulder injury (and because he is 34), and neither Spencer Rattler nor Jake Haener having shown any franchise quarterback ability, it might be time to prepare for the future.
The Jets draft 42nd in the second round. They do employ Justin Fields for two years and could be willing to try to develop him into a starting-caliber quarterback, but if they aren’t convinced he’s their long-term guy, they could turn to the rookies, especially Milroe, who shares some of Fields’ tools.
The Ultimate Top 40 Vikings Draft Big Board