Finding an Elite QB in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback and they are going to have the opportunity to select one during the upcoming NFL Draft on April 25th.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah knows that they are not going to get Caleb Williams because the USC quarterback will be selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears. But there are five other high-quality quarterbacks available that could fill the team's needs after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots have the No. 2 and 3 selections, and both of those teams need quarterbacks as well. Jayden Daniels of LSU and Drake Maye of North Carolina are expected to be drafted by those teams in either order, but there is a chance the Vikings could work a trade with one of those two teams.
Issues Facing the Vikings
The Vikings have the No. 11 and 23 picks in the first round and that could be enough to interest the Commanders or Patriots. But interest may not be enough. Either one of those teams may demand more than two first-round draft picks to complete a deal.
While both Daniels and Maye appear to have the skills and talent to become high-level NFL quarterbacks, there are no guarantees. Adding a 2025 first-round pick to sweeten the deal could be a move the Vikings regret for years to come. First-round draft picks don't come easily and to give up three (or more) to get a quarterback who could turns out to be a disappointment would set the franchise back for years.
A Solution That Could Work
However, if the Vikings decide they want J.J. McCarthy of Michigan, Michael Penix of Washington or Bo Nix of Oregon, they may not have to give up any more than the this year's two picks.
A good case can be made for any of those three. After leading the Wolverines to the national championship, McCarthy's draft status has shot up the board and he will likely be the fourth quarterback selected. He dominated with the Wolverines by leading a run-based offense and he will be asked to read pass defenses and execute decisively once he takes over under center.
That's where head coach Kevin O'Connell will be asked to show off his ability get a young quarterback up to speed. O'Connell understands the professional passing game as well as any head coach this side of Kansas City's Andy Reid, so he could be successful.
McCarthy completed 240 of 332 passes for 2,991 yard with a 22-4 touchdown to interception ratio last year. He also completed 208 of 322 passes for 2,719 yards with a 22-5 TD-interception ratio in 2022. He also had 8 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Penix has as good an arm as any of the quarterbacks in this year's draft, but his past injury history is an issue for any team considering him. Penix has been healthy the last two seasons, but he had two shoulder and two knee problems prior to that. There is a fear that he may not be able to stay healthy at the next level.
However, Penix completed 363 of 555 passes for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. Those numbers were no fluke as Penix threw for 4,641 yards with a 31-8 TD-interception ratio in 2022.
Nix does not have the arm strength of Penix, but he is a better athlete, gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately and understands how to attack defenses. His numbers are simply sensational. Nix completed 364 of 470 passes for 4,508 yards with 45 touchdowns and 3 interceptions last season for the Ducks. He also ran for 234 yards and 6 touchdowns.
There is a legitimate chance that McCarthy, Penix and Nix could have better careers than Williams, Daniels and Maye.
Will The Vikings Trade Up for Drake Maye?
The idea of giving up more than the two first-round picks the Vikings have in this year's draft does not seem like a wise choice. Too many things could go wrong and the team could find they still need a quarterback in the future and they won't have the draft capital to get one in the future.
It's difficult for any general manager to avoid trying to hit a home run in the draft with a quarterback they have fallen in love with during the weeks leading up to the draft. But taking the prudent choice may provide a bigger payoff than the more expensive choice.
Vikings +275 odds to win the NFC North
No one is expecting the Minnesota Vikings to contend for a Super Bowl (+5000 odds at SI Sportsbook). With +275 odds to win the NFC North, they certainly are not the division favourites either. But many Vikings fans betting on the NFL this season would disagree. With the right roster moves and a couple blockbuster years from the team's stars, they might just out compete the Lions and Packers in the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
