The Minnesota Vikings appear to be narrowing down their options for a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, although it seems likely they’ll need to execute a trade to secure their desired prospect.
With the 11th and 23rd overall picks in hand, the Vikings have been actively scouting prospects throughout the pre-draft process, attending numerous pro days to evaluate potential quarterback talent.
Among the quarterbacks they’ve shown interest in are Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye, with Quarterbacks Coach Josh McCown personally attending all three workouts. Notably absent from their scouting efforts were pro days for Bo Nix and Michael Penix.
Unfortunately, a planned meeting with Jayden Daniels didn’t materialize, possibly due to uncertainties surrounding his future.
With the likely scenario of Caleb Williams being taken as the top pick by the Chicago Bears, the Vikings find themselves with two primary prospects to consider: Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy. Of the two, Maye seems to be the preferred choice.
“The Vikings, [it] would be a perfect scenario for them,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “SportsCenter” on March 29. “There’s a belief among some teams that Minnesota could try to trade up to get him. It would take a lot, but they are armed with two first-round picks to try to make it happen.”
Maye stands out as one of the youngest prospects among the top six quarterbacks projected to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, slated for April 25th.
Despite recently signing Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract, the Minnesota Vikings view him as a short-term solution at best. Drake Maye, on the other hand, could step into a promising situation, both in terms of coaching support and team dynamics.
With offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell earning high praise from current players, a solid supporting cast featuring a potentially rejuvenated Aaron Jones, and an innovative defense to complement his efforts, Maye would find himself in one of the most quarterback-friendly environments across the league.
Want the latest NFL and NCAA Football analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
