MARCH 17: Now that the Vikings have two first-round picks in the 2024 draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller says the “latest leaguewide rumor” is that Minnesota will use its newfound resource to acquire the Cardinals‘ No. 4 overall pick (subcription required). Arizona has Kyler Murray entrenched as its QB1 and could accelerate its rebuild with additional high-end draft capital to address non-QB needs.
Such a move would almost certainly give the Vikes the chance to select McCarthy, and there is a chance that Maye or Jayden Daniels may be available as well.
MARCH 15: More than a month ahead of the draft, the Vikings reached an agreement to acquire an additional first-round pick. Minnesota and Houston agreed to a trade Friday involving only draft picks.
The NFC North team will part with two second-rounders to move up this year. The Vikings will obtain the Texans‘ 2024 first-rounder — No. 23 overall — and a 2024 seventh in exchange for Nos. 42, 188 and a 2025 second-round pick, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.
This will give the Vikings another asset if they are serious about moving up for a quarterback. The Texans, who obtained the No. 23 overall pick from the Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade, will not have a 2024 first-rounder now. But they now hold two second-rounders in 2024 and ’25.
Minnesota now holds the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks in this year’s draft. The deal could give the team a chance to add two starter-caliber rookies to team with Sam Darnold. Perhaps more likely: it provides a team transitioning at quarterback — following Kirk Cousins‘ Falcons defection — with a better asset to acquire a long-term replacement. Early-offseason rumblings about the Vikings’ interest in trading up surfaced; this deal will provide them with a better chance at moving into range for one of the top QB prospects.
QB injuries have led the Vikings to continually turn to veterans at quarterback this century. Daunte Culpepper‘s six-season run as Minnesota’s QB1 ended with an October 2005 ACL tear. Teddy Bridgewater saw his time as the team’s starter end with a severe knee injury during training camp in 2016. The likes of Brett Favre, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Cousins have stepped in. But with Cousins moving on after six years — as the Vikings did not offer their longtime starter the guarantees the Falcons did in a four-year, $180MM deal — could put the Vikes on a path to make another first-round effort to land a passer.
Since the 1999 Culpepper pick, Minnesota has not enjoyed good luck choosing first-round passers. Neither Bridgewater nor Christian Ponder panned out as a long-term option. The Vikings, however, have never chosen a quarterback in the top 10 of a draft. The Nos. 11 and 23 selections could serve as the lead assets in a deal to potentially move into the top three, though it would not surprise to see the Patriots — who sit at No. 3 — to ask for more for a draft pick that could lead to a Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy investment. McCarthy may well be available further down the board, but the Michigan prospect’s stock is climbing. It is certainly possible the Vikings would be stuck with the draft’s fifth-best QB if they stay at 11.
Third-year GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will receive more attention this offseason, having a chance to grab his own quarterback after effectively renting Cousins for two seasons. Darnold agreed to a one-year, $10MM deal, but the former No. 3 overall pick should be considered a bridge QB. The Broncos also showed interest in Darnold, and while they may not have submitted an offer, this trade leaves another obvious candidate to select a QB lacking in ammo by comparison. Sean Payton‘s team — thanks to the move to acquire the head coach — does not have a second-round pick. Denver sits at No. 12.
For the Texans, this move marks a considerable change with regards to their 2024 draft arsenal. The Watson trade had given the team two 2024 firsts, but GM Nick Caserio dealt the team’s own pick to move up for Will Anderson last year. But the C.J. Stroud pick has changed Houston’s trajectory. Picking up seconds in back-to-back drafts provides Houston the opportunity to add more quality cost-controlled starters around its new franchise quarterback.
Making moves
Bears on line 1
If in the unlikely event the Bears trade out of the first pick, it won’t be to a division rival.
Bears trading the 1st overall to the Commanders for a haul & then gonna draft Daniels
Bears aren’t trading the pick.
And commanders have no incentive to trade up 1 slot and give up a haul when they can take someone like Daniels.
Kingsbury worked with a QB in Murray that has similar skill set to Daniels.
I agree Washington has no incentive to do that.
Kingsbury did work with Murray, I don’t know if I would say he did a good job though. Murray is a great athlete but he seems not overly invested in being a great QB ( video game language in contract) and hasn’t progressed as much as a cardinals fan would have hoped since he entered the league. One could argue that’s at least partially on Kingsbury. But, kingsbury as an OC could be different then HC.
Why not McCarthy?
Two first rounders below 10 aren’t close to get the bears #1 unless you add a couple more first rounders in later years.
Unless you mean they’re gonna get the bears 9th pick…which seems like an overpay to move 2 spots and by then the best QBs will all be gone.
Totally agree,not to beat a dead bear but no way the bears trade number 1.
Wow, surprised to see this now, this far in advance of the draft, rather than when the pick was coming up otc, unless they’ve already got a deal in place as the story implies, to deal up for a QB towards top of the draft.
Why restrict self to the 15 min draft day clock when they can just do it now. They will wait to see how the first few picks shake out to see the QB situation. But there is no reason to wait to acquire pick #23.
Because they don’t know what will be available at that moment when their pick comes up? Far more typical to trade for the OTC pick than to trade well in advance of a draft after all, no?
Alternatively, it makes some sense to trade picks before the draft so you can maximize your individual visits. I think each team gets 30 visits total.
Trading a pick or picks gives teams a better understanding of who their targets will be and host different guys as a result.
For instance 99% chance Texans aren’t going to host 1st round prospects now and instead focus on guys they believe will be available in the 2nd round.
Sure you don’t know who’s going to be there at your pick but you at least have a better chance you visited with someone you liked enough to draft there even if you miss your target.
That’s an interesting perspective. I hadn’t considered that. Of course, it does narrow alternative plans a bit, but realistically I suppose that it doesn’t matter much, since no team is picking thirty players in the draft.
Those interviews get extremely valuable for UDFAs, though, I would imagine.
Well that sucks. Really wanted Cooper DeJean.
But extra picks to sure up the defense especially line and corner isn’t the worst thing
Shore up*
Shore Thing
They need a QB. Darnold is not a real NFL starter.
But not sure if one will be there at 11. They could be angling to trade 11 and 23 to get into top 6 or so for a QB. May take some additional picks to do it, however
McCarthy or Nix should be there 1 at least if not both but they have to believe in either of them
Calling the Patriots for #3 as we speak….and the Patriots best listen. So many holes to fill!
Get quite a few picks for #3 and trade 1 2nd rounder for Fields.
At this point you can get Fields for a 3rd or less. No point trading a 2nd for a guy with no where to go and who nobody want unless you do a pick swap in the deal.
I don’t like predictions, but if Fields gets moved for anything greater than a fifth, I personally would be quite surprised.
Not gonna happen
Pats traded Mac no way they pass up on a QB @ 3 especially with the uncertainty of the QB class next year
“uncertainty of the QB class next year”
Gets said every year about the next year.
No one in this class is a for sure lock. They all have issues whether physical or maturity(Williams).
I bet the Chargers would love to trade 5 for a package built around 11 and 23.
After losing Everett, Allen AND Williams, I would think SD would stick at 5 and grab a blue chip WR(Nabers/Odunze) or Bowers.
Most draft experts agree that picks 1 thru 9 are all high end, blue chip talent and there’s a big drop off after that. Of course that’s assuming that all 9 go in the first 9 picks.
Right. It’s entirely possible Bowers falls to 11. But also, the Chargers need to add so many areas. Even if the top three receivers and Bowers were gone at 11, they might have their choice of just about any defensive player in the draft at 11 and then be able to swing back around for a Thomas or Mitchell if they still want a receiver in the first. I would have a hard time passing on those top three receivers, but that roster needs a quick overhaul.
If the chargers trade with the Vikings, bowers or Rome could be available at 11, if not they can pivot to wide receiver in the late first or second.
This is what I’m hoping for
They should.
Even if you miss out on Nabers Bowers they could stand to add someone like Jared Verse or Bryon Murphy on defense at 11 Good pash rush makes any secondary look good.
With 23 you can go Thomas Jr or Coleman and with your 2nd rounder go Legette or McConkey
Coleman isn’t going in the first at this point. Could see the first two picks being a lineman and a corner, with a receiver in the second.
I’ve seen mocks having him going to Buffalo in the 1st. Hes borderline end of 1st to 2nd in a lot of mocks.
In recent mocks? Seems unlikely to see a receiver go in the first with a 4.61 40 time.
If he improves it at pro day he can probably sneak into 1st.
Could be. And I guess it depends what flavor of receiver teams prefer. But aside from the big three, it’s hard to see him going ahead of Thomas, Mitchell, or McConkey. Franklin, Pearsall, Wilson, and Worthy could all go ahead of him too. And I obviously don’t think all those guys are going in the first.
6’4″
215-220 lbs
Basketball background
I get why he’s a borderline 1st early 2nd pick.
Oh I get it too. And I can see why a Chiefs fit would make sense, especially since they just added someone with lots of speed and no size. But I do think he’s a little bit more of a question mark than he was seen as a few weeks ago.
Far as recent
Yes
This one has him going # 32 to Chiefs
link to cbssports.com
Hmmmm. Maybe Bo Nix and Koolaid McInstry?
They didn’t make that move for Koolaid. He’s the 5th ranked CB in the draft, they could have just grabbed a similar CB early in the 2nd round.
Honestly I thought Bo Nix at #11 would have been a solid move but they must see a guy worth jumping for. I doubt #1 is available (Division Rival) but 2 or 3 could be available. WAS or NE could trade down but WAS doesn’t need anymore picks, they need a QB (Doubt they want to miss out on Maye or Daniels). That leaves NE who has every reason to trade down and acquire more picks.
Just my opinion
I can’t see patriots moving off of their spot either. Escosilly after shipping off Mac Jones for a bag of Doritos.
What in the world are the texans thinking? This is awful on their part.
It’s possible they think the dropoff in talent from the late first to the mid-second isn’t all that huge. Dropping down to 42 should still put them in good range for a receiver, corner, linebacker, or DT, and given that Minnesota will probably be starting some combination of Darnold and a rookie next year, they likely get an additional top 50 pick next year. It’s an odd one, but I get it.
I just find it hard ever giving up a first unless you get a first back unless its late in the first round…. 2 seconds is nice. but give me the 1st anyday the week.
I get it, but it’s not like it was a high first. Houston’s biggest needs should still have offerings at 42, and adding another crack at a cheap starter next year will help offset the spending that’s begun with Hunter and will presumably continue with Collins pretty soon.
Texans needs are supposed deep positions in this draft & they feel confident in their ability to pick in the 2nd round and beyond
The key to this deal is 2025 2nd rounder.
Dropping 23 to 42 isn’t a huge fall. And they pick up the 2025 2nd rounder dropping back 19 slots.
Which if Vikings are rolling with Darnold or a rookie QB that could be an early 2nd rounder in the 30s which would be a huge asset
Offensively Texans are pretty set
Oline was actually pretty solid last year and should have Scruggs Patterson Green and others at full health
Collins Dell Schultz are back but could use another WR like Adonai Mitchell if Collins departs via free agency, similar skill sets and projected 2nd rounder.
They need some help on dline especially DT. Esp up the middle. Maason Smith 6’6 315 out of LSU. And secondary. They’re ok at LB but could use some depth.
Trust me, you don’t want anything to do with Maason Smith. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. He should have stayed in school and gotten more seasoning. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but he would be a VERY late round, or UDFA for me. I hope I’m wrong, but don’t see it happening.
Dropping 23 to 42 is a HUGE deal! Getting a high 2nd rounder next year makes it less bad, but the Vikings won this trade.
note: I don’t care about either of these teams, so there’s no bias.
At this point it’s just an exchange of lottery tickets. On balance I think the Texans are having a better offseason than Minnesota but again the jury is still out until the season actually begins later this year.
Why is it a huge deal? Cause of the 5th year option?
I’m willing to bet whoever is drafted at 23 gets less aav than whoever is drafted at 42 and wherever the pick falls in 2025. Which would be a win.
End of 1st round teams are routinely trading back getting more assets. Patriots did it for years.
It might be that MN is feeling moving up is not possible. Use the 11 on an edge rusher and the 24th in Nix or Penix to hold on to the 5th year option.
I like it for Houston. It doesn’t feel like the drop-off is all that steep this year. Maybe 9-10 elites, then a flood of good, but not great prospects.
Hoping to see my Raiders move back in something similar.
I agree. The drop off in overall, general value of that pick is large, but I actually think that this draft is pretty deep, if unspectacular in many areas. I think there’s a lot of mostly evenly rated prospects across the board. Not every draft is like that. Of course, statistically many won’t work out, but the early evaluations look mostly even to me.
Minnesota trading 2 firsts to the Chargers or giants for the 5th or 6th pick and drafting Mccarthy. I’m right you are wrong.
Why trade up this far ahead without knowing the pulse and whos there; or down for that natter with the Texans? Whats the last trade like this just picks for picks that did NIT involve the top pick(s)?
*NOT
Still possible, depending on who is still available at #11, that the Vikings trade back, with the goal of getting a 2024 2nd or 3rd. All depends on who the scouts, coaches and head coach feel is the QBOTF.
Additionally, sure seems as though the GM had anticipated the loss of both Cousins and Hunter and has a plan to add talent and stay under the cap.
GONNA BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT ELSE HAPPENS.
I’m good with this from a Texans POV. Outside of top DT there is a bunch of similar players – one or two should easily be available at that acquired 2nd spot (maybe Sweat or Jenkins). Other second (59) can be used for secondary help.
On top of that – should someone unexpected slide to later first they want – can always trade back in with the 42nd and something else that protects that additional 2nd next year.
Ok Vikes, now re-sign Dalton Risner.
Justin Herbert will be a happy man if the Vikes trade up to 4 and take a QB leaving Marvin Harrison Jr. at 5
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Gerald Everett all gone so Herbert’s happy meter could probably use a boost.
The Chargers, imo, are sitting in the best position in the entire draft. If Minnesota trades up to #4, the Chargers end up with Harrison Jr- and MHJ is the best player in the entire draft. If Arizona holds onto the #4, LA has a plethora of options.
Can’t blame MINN. Watching Darnold in relief of Purdy during the BALT game, it was clear Darnold has a cannon for an arm and was accurate. But when he had any pressure he looked lost.
I’m still amazed that only two 2nd round picks was able to get the Vikes from to 42 to 23.
If I were the Cards, I would wait til they’re on the clock to make a trade. They already have an extra first rounder from the trade with the Texans last year, and if MHJ is still on the board, they could really use him.
Yeah probably what’s happening they already know the Vikings package, and just waiting it out for someone else. Chargers are sitting at #5. I doubt anything happens til draft day. If Harrison jr goes to patriots someone will trade up with the cardinals a hundred percent. If three go off the board teams might wait for the chargers pick, because you have to pick before the giants. cardinals will lose the leverage
The Cards only lose leverage if both MHJ are gone and nobody other than the Vikings wants the pick at 4 which is highly unlikely to be the case. If MHJ is on the board the cards will be happy to take him. If he’s not and the 3rd best QB prospect is on the board there will be more than just the Vikings calling. At that point it’s all about what package the cards like best and who they are targeting on their board. They showed last year they aren’t afraid to trade out of the top 10 and then come back in for their guy. Giants, Vikings, Broncos, Raiders will all likely be interested.
Please AZ don’t pass on Harrison! We saw what happened last year passing on Anderson for what turning into a very late 1st