What if the Vikings Move Down in the Draft?
Josh Frey
|
Of all the scenarios for the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming NFL Draft, one of the more underwhelming is the scenario where they trade down from the 14th pick. However, there is one potential trade that makes moving down seem logical, at least to me. Here is how after years of playoff battles, scandals, and general hatred, the Vikings and Saints can come together and help each other out.
Why the Saints Move Up
If there’s one thing the Saints and the U.S. are both good at, it’s ignoring debt. The Saints are currently the Titanic on a collision course with the salary cap glacier, but it’s not necessarily something they’ll have to deal with this year.
While it is true that cap penalties have to eventually be dealt with, New Orleans can keep kicking that rock down the road if they really want to. It would make sense to do so for at least one more year as this is still one of the more complete rosters in the NFL. Because they are pretty complete in most areas, they may be willing to give up a few extra assets this year.
That said, what is one thing the Saints could really use? A quarterback. With Drew Brees (probably?) retiring, there is a void left at the position. Taysom Hill filled in nicely for a couple games, but teams seemed to quickly figure him out once they had a few weeks to plan against him. Jameis Winston is a free agent and may command too much money to bring him back. Because of that, the team has been connected to draft prospects Mac Jones and Jamie Newman.
It is unclear as of now which quarterback the Saints are more intrigued by. That said, this situation only really works if New Orleans likes Jones better. Jamie Newman doesn’t seem like a first round pick as of now. Even if his stock were to rise, he will certainly be available to the Saints at 28.
If New Orleans wants to target Jones, there is one massive obstacle in the way: the New England Patriots. The Patriots hold the 15th pick in the draft, and they also seem to be interested in taking Jones. If the Saints really want him, the safest bet would be to find a way to get above New England, but still at a value given that Jones is a stretch with a top-10 pick. Luckily for them, the Vikings sit one pick above New England at 14 and could be willing to make a deal.
Why the Vikings Move Down
Other than Rick Spielman having a history of moving around in the draft, it’s pretty simple. There are two big reasons as to why Minnesota could trade down. One, the Vikings’ biggest needs in this draft are at the offensive and defensive lines. Two, some of the deepest areas in this draft are offensive and defensive lines.
Slick Rick could be seeing prospects in the later rounds that he likes just as much, if not more than those projected to go early on. He’s done it before. Danielle Hunter was a third rounder, Stefon Diggs was a fifth rounder, Brian O’Neill was a late second rounder. Heck, Adam Thielen was a UDFA back in the day. Obviously, these players have had to work hard to get to their current positions of success, but Spielman still found them.
Like I and so many others have harped on all year, this draft is a very important one for Minnesota. If the Vikings can pick up a few more assets to help fill some needs for the 2021 season, it may be worth moving down.
The Trade
Going off drafttek.com, an estimated haul for the Vikings could include something like the 28th pick and New Orleans’ second rounder, fourth rounder, and a future third rounder.
This trade gives Minnesota an incredible ten picks in the first five rounds, and it allows them to move into the second round. This is important because they will still be able to find big name players in their position needs. At 28, they should be able to grab a guard like Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis, and in the second round, they can grab a pass rusher like Texas’ Joseph Ossai.
They could also go in the opposite direction. In the first round, they could grab someone like Wake Forest’s Carlos Basham Jr., and in the second, North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz. Like I said, this is a very deep class for both areas of need for the Vikings, and there are many directions they can go in.
Closing Thoughts
Whether it’s the Saints or another team looking at drafting a quarterback this year, the Vikings should, and more than likely will, weigh their options for moving around the draft board. The 2021 draft is loaded with players on both sides of the ball that can step in on day one and make an impact.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the Vikings are a lock to do any of this. Given history, it wouldn’t surprise me if they even decided to go cornerback in this first round and take a Patrick Surtain. They could even go wide receiver and pick up Jaylen Waddle or, should they move down, Minnesota’s own Rashod Bateman. Nothing is certain in the NFL Draft, and that is even more true this year with the quarterback carousel going on around the league.