Vikings trade up in draft, now in position for big QB move

Whereas it’s an intriguing transfer for Houston to maneuver fully out of the first-round and accumulate extra picks (each this 12 months and subsequent 12 months) the true intrigue right here sits with the Vikings and what this might imply for his or her draft plans. 

The obvious concept is that they’re positioning themselves for an excellent larger transfer up the draft board the place they may be capable to land their subsequent franchise quarterback.

If that is not their plan, then it’s a actually curious transfer to randomly transfer as much as the twenty third choose within the draft in the course of March when you don’t have any concept what the draft board will really appear like on draft night time. 

This commerce now provides the Vikings the No. 11 and 23 general picks within the draft. That may appear to be a very good start line for a transfer up into the highest 5 the place the elite quarterback prospects are going to go. 

The one query can be which group can be keen to take that bait.

The Chicago Bears have two top-10 picks (No. 1 and No. 9) however appear on observe to pick USC’s Caleb Williams with the No. 1 general choose.

The Washington Commanders at No. 2 are in no place to maneuver again as they desperately want a franchise-changing participant, particularly at quarterback. They would appear destined for Drake Maye. 

However the New England Patriots at No. 3 and the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 would appear to be intriguing choices that could be keen to maneuver again. Particularly the Cardinals who’re ready to roll with Kyler Murray as their quarterback.

The Los Angeles Chargers have the No. 5 choose and still have their franchise quarterback (Justin Herbert), whereas additionally needing to rebuild a wage cap-purged roster beneath new head coach Jim Harbaugh. 

If the Vikings need to land one among Williams, Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels shifting into the top-three would in all probability be a should. After that, it might in the end rely upon how excessive they’re on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. Would they actually be keen to maneuver up into the highest 5 to take him? It could be on the desk.

The Vikings misplaced long-time starter Kirk Cousins in free company to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving an enormous gap at crucial place on the sector. With large receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison nonetheless within the combine, discovering a quarterback who can make the most of their abilities is a should this offseason.