Video Evidence: Vikings Tried to Move Up to 8th Spot in 2021 NFL Draft
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings consummated a trade on the first night of the 2021 NFL Draft that netted the franchise Christian Darrisaw (LT), Kellen Mond (QB), and Wyatt Davis (OG) — in exchange to the New York Jets for [what turned out to be] Alijah Vera-Tucker (OG) and the 143rd overall pick (which was traded by the Jets).
The haul for the Vikings was applauded nationally, chiefly because Darrisaw was scooped significantly later than most mock-drafters foresaw.
But had the Vikings executed their first wish, Justin Fields, not Kellen Mond, might currently be the heir apparent. The Carolina Panthers released a documentary-style video of their draft dealings last month. In that production, the Vikings made the call to Carolina, inquiring about the Panthers 8th overall pick.
Minnesota’s bargaining chips were too puny, and the deal was quickly squashed. The video illustrates the Vikings were willing to offer the 14th pick (presumably), 90th pick, and the 143rd pick for the #8 choice on draft night. Carolina wasn’t enthused.
Had the Panthers said “sure,” the Vikings would have placed one spot ahead of the Denver Broncos — who most folks believed would select quarterback Justin Fields from Ohio State. The Broncos swerved at the last minute and opted not to choose Fields, instead plucking Patrick Surtain II of Alabama. It indicated, at the time, that the Fields draft night tumble was underway. To the chagrin of the Vikings, Fields joined the Chicago Bears, enabling Minnesota’s defense to experience Fields twice per season.
The Vikings probably believed that Denver would pounce on Fields, so the Panthers deal was an effort to beat them to it. ESPN‘s Courtney Cronin reported earlier this month that Vikings were indeed fascinated by Fields. She noted on Minnesota’s zeal for Fields:
“The Vikings were also preparing to take Fields given the way the board was falling. As Minnesota watched Carolina and Denver pass on Fields at Nos. 8 and 9, their distant dream suddenly felt like it could become a reality. With Vikings ownership in the main draft room, front-office personnel worked the phones and tried to see where they might have to move up to land Fields.“
The only other theory — if Cronin is wrong — is that the Vikings wanted Northwestern LT Rashawn Slater, who wound up with the Los Angeles Chargers at the 13th spot, one position before the Vikings original spot.
Ergo, it was either Fields or Slater that caught Minnesota’s jaundiced eye — and probably Fields if Cronin is to be trusted. That stunner would have signaled a vivid conclusion to the Kirk Cousins era — likely after the 2021 season unless the Vikings wound up in the Super Bowl. Fields is too delectable to do nothing on the bench for longer than one rookie maturation season.
In the end, the Panthers wanted at least a 2022 1st-Rounder, thwarting the Vikings little offer. But at least the puzzle fits together now, explaining how the franchise ended up with Mond.
Fields was the goal; the price was too high. So, a Cousins-Mond twosome it is.