TRADE NEWS: The Vikings’ Trade has Acquired the Next Great Quarterback
Whether Kirk Cousins is playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings or not, time is running out. Though they might have to trade for one, this year might be the best to prepare for life without the four-time Pro Bowler.
In the first two rounds, at least six quarterbacks might be selected, so they may need to be proactive to secure a spot for themselves.
They would just that, according to a new fictitious trade scenario from Bleacher Report.
“Cousins is still a good quarterback, but he is expected to be the most sought-after signal-caller available in free agency as he turns 36 in August. The scouting section of Bleacher Report noted on January 29 that “keeping him won’t be cheap, and with [Justin] Jefferson’s extension looming, it may finally be time for Minnesota to move on.”
The Vikings would be able to accomplish that by securing LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and moving up a few positions in this hypothetical deal. Daniels is only placed 24th on the B/R board, so the Vikings could need to move up from No. 11 in order to sign him.
The scouting staff noted, “The [Atlanta] Falcons are sitting at No. 8 and will undoubtedly be in the market for a new quarterback.” “With Will Levis looking like the quarterback of the future for the Tennessee Titans, Tennessee becomes a viable trade partner.”
Drake Maye of North Carolina and Caleb Williams of USC are predicted to be selected in the first three overall. The position of each player varies based on the mock.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Daniels’s stock has increased significantly.
Daniels led the Tigers to the ReliaQuest Bowl by completing 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
In his mock draft from mid-December, ESPN’s Matt Miller predicted that he would go to the New York Giants with the fourth overall pick. Daniels was not even listed in Miller’s August mock draft for the upcoming season as a possible first-round selection.
In his mock draft from January 23, fellow draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. predicted Daniels would go to the Washington Commaners with the second overall pick.
In both Kiper’s and Miller’s situations, this hypothetical deal would be unnecessary. The Vikings might target J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. In Miller’s most recent mock, he is projected to be No. 7. Meanwhile, according to Kiper, he will go No. 13 overall to the Last
