The NFL Draft is still more than 25 days away, but rumors are already circulating in the media about the Minnesota Vikings, among other teams, being locked in on their first-round pick(s).
For the Vikings, many reports suggest a potential trade into the top-5 to secure their next franchise quarterback. They’ve been linked closely to quarterbacks ranked between No. 2 and No. 4 on the draft board, including Jayden Daniels (LSU), Drake Maye (UNC), and JJ McCarthy (Michigan).
On Easter Sunday, Forbes delved into the Vikings’ draft strategy, with veteran NFL reporter Steve Silverman suggesting that the team is eyeing Josh McCown’s former protege, Drake Maye. Silverman’s insights prompt speculation about whether the information might originate from someone close to the Vikings’ new QB coach, Josh McCown. The article highlights McCown’s relationship with Maye during the quarterback’s standout high school career at Myers Park, where he threw an impressive 50 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions as a senior.
While Silverman doesn’t guarantee Maye as the Vikings’ pick, he emphasizes McCown’s affinity for him, suggesting that if it were up to McCown, Maye would be their choice. However, the final decision lies with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who will determine the team’s top target on April 25. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will then work to execute the plan, although neither step is a certainty, especially concerning Maye.
According to the report, acquiring Maye may require the Vikings to include their 2025 1st-round pick, potentially alongside their No. 11 and No. 23 picks in 2024, to move up to No. 2 in the draft. This raises questions about whether O’Connell believes Maye is worth an additional 1st-round pick compared to JJ McCarthy. Alternatively, the Vikings could opt to retain their 2025 1st-round pick and trade up with either Arizona or the Los Angeles Chargers for McCarthy at No. 4 or 5.
In a recent piece for the Boston Globe, Ben Volin suggested that the Vikings may have indirectly signaled to the New England Patriots at the NFL League Meetings that their No. 11 and No. 23 picks should be sufficient to move up to No. 3. This implies that O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah may not be as willing to part with their 2025 1st-round pick as some speculate.