Vikings Reportedly Tried Trading Up in NFL Draft for LSU WR Malik Nabers

Malik Nabers, 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings had a very splashy 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Not only was the rollercoaster ride a fun one, but it was productive, producing two of the top talents in the draft at two of the Vikings’ biggest positions of need — JJ McCarthy (QB), Dallas Turner (EDGE).

But, from what’s been reported, JJ wasn’t their first option. Multiple reports say they were trying to move up as high as No. 3, in pursuit of Drake Maye. That’s not the only supposed trade up that they were trying to complete, though.

Minnesota Vikings tried trading up in 2024 NFL Draft for… Malik Nabers?

According to Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk), they tried to make a move that would have shook up the entire first round and had our brains malfunctioning almost to the degree of what they are dealing with today in Atlanta. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was reportedly trying to get to No. 5, where the LA Chargers were.

During a live hit last night for ProFootballTalk.com, Florio said a source he trusts says the Vikings had serious discussions Jim Harbaugh & Co, not to get a QB, but to try and snag LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.

“I’ve got a little something more to tell you, here. Something I’ve picked up, because I’ve got tentacles everywhere. I’ve got connections. I’m hearing things and you know what I heard, and I’m surprised by this but I trust my source. At No. 5, the Chargers, when they took Joe Alt, they passed on an opportunity to trade out of that spot.

The team that wanted to move up to that spot, I’m told… the Minnesota Vikings. And not to take J McCarthy. The Vikings, I’m told, were trying to move up to No. 5 to get Malik Nabers.”

Mike Florio – ProFootballTalk

From there, Florio goes on to question what the Vikings’ interest in Malik Nabers meant for Justin Jefferson. Could Minnesota really be concerned they might lose him or be forced to trade him this offseason (or next) should they not be able to reach a contract agreement.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Reacted Just Like You Did After Vikings’ Trade Up

Now, it’s important to not that this ProFootballTalk report came after the New York Giants selected Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick and after the Chargers had already drafted ‘one of us’ Joe Alt at pick 5. But it was before the Minnesota Vikings had traded up to No. 10 to take JJ McCarthy. Here’s the rest of the transcript from the Florio clip above.

“What does that tell you about the Vikings and Justin Jefferson? The Vikings tried to get to No. 5, apparently not to get McCarthy, but to get Malik Nabers. What an offense that would’ve been. They still would’ve needed a quarterback, they may get that quarterback in a few picks.”

Mike Florio – ProFootballTalk

What in the Mike Florio world is going on here…

Malik Nabers, NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We now know that the Vikings were able to land JJ McCarthy at No. 10. So, if we assume that Florio’s source was correct, one has to wonder if Kwesi and O’Connell were really trying to stack the Minnesota receiving core to a level we haven’t seen since Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed all suited up in purple and gold.

Related: Kwesi Laughs Off Reports that Vikings Approached Chargers About Justin Herbert Trade

Or… was the Vikings’ call up to No. 5 a smokescreen of some sort? We know the Giants spent more time with JJ McCarthy than any other team in the draft and many thought he would be the pick at No. 6, if he was still available.

Instead, it was New York who passed on JJ and opted for Nabers at No. 6. We may never know the answer to these questions, or if this call up ever really happened. But Nonetheless, it is a ‘what in the…’ type of report that Mike Florio has become famous for.

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