While the Vikings tried their best to patiently wait until a top QB prospect fell into their laps, we did see a slight move up to the tenth overall pick to ensure no one else could take J.J. McCarthy instead. However, as we previously knew, the Vikings tried executing an even bigger trade up the board, all the way up to No. 3.

Minnesota Vikings final offer to Patriots for No. 3 pick revealed

But what we didn’t know was what the Vikings offered the New England Patriots for the third overall pick, until now. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Vikings did have interest in moving up for Drake Maye, but it doesn’t sound like they were willing to make a ‘Godfather’ like offer to do so.

“The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants did make offers to the New England Patriots for the No. 3 pick to take Drake Maye. Earlier this week, Minnesota offered the Nos. 11 and 23 picks, and its 2025 first-rounder, with pick swaps favoring the Vikings as part of the proposal; and that offer ticked up with New England on the clock. The Giants, meanwhile, did wind up putting their 2025 first-round pick in their offer to move from No. 6 to No. 3.”

SI’s Albert Breer revealing Minnesota Vikings’ trade offer for No. 3 pick

What does it all mean? While we don’t know what the “offer ticked up” to once the Patriots were actually on the clock, but it’s an indication that Maye was the highest-ranked prospect on the Vikings’ draft board once Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were gone.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2024: Vikings Draft Grade, Pick-by-Pick Analysis

It’s also a sign that the Vikings didn’t have an issue and possibly even had a preference for standing pat, holding onto their extra draft capital (23rd pick and 2025 1st), knowing they’d still have a chance to select J.J. McCarthy.

While the Vikings obviously didn’t get Maye, the route Adofo-Mensah chose delivered McCarthy, arguably the top edge-rusher prospect in the draft in Dallas Turner, and still allows the Vikings to keep their first-round pick in 2025.

But before Roger hits the podium, holding a player card, he’s more than likely going to walk up with a Vikings trade card instead. One that announces a move up by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Which other team will be on that card? That’s another question we can’t answer.

Well, there’s been quite a lot of chatter coming out the most trusted insider NFL circles recently that head coach Kevin O’Connell’s top choice Thursday night is Drake Maye. That’s what we heard yesterday from Boston insider Ben Volin, who believes the Vikings feel better about Maye than the New England Patriots do.

Adam Schefter throws gas on Minnesota Vikings + Drake Maye fire

Related: Elite 2024 NFL Draft QB prospect reportedly wants to play for the Vikings

Then on Monday morning, Adam Schefter (ESPN) threw more gas onto the blazing Maye + Vikings fire by confirming that he’s hearing the same thing as Volin. That general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could trade up as high as No. 3, if the Pats are willing to play ball, and that their top choice is indeed the North Carolina kid.

Schefty also confirms reports that the Vikings would like to move up before the draft, if they can find a partner willing to do so.

The Patriots, slated to pick No. 3, also have been fielding calls from teams. It would take a big offer for New England to move off that spot knowing it needs to come out of Round 1 with a quarterback, but the team has listened. And the Vikings, among others, have attempted to move up.

Some around the league believe if the Vikings can get as high as No. 3, their preference would be quarterback Drake Maye (North Carolina), who was coached in high school by Minnesota’s new quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. But many are waiting to see how the Patriots value Maye vs. J.J. McCarthy (Michigan)…

Adam Schefter – ESPN+

Anything can happen on NFL Draft night

More than likely, it’ll be the New England Patriots (No. 3), Arizona Cardinals (No. 4) or Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5). In a perfect world, though, a QB that head coach Kevin O’Connell loves will fall down the board a few more spots, so Kwesi can save a first round pick (or two), in a trade up with the Tennessee Titans (No. 7) or Atlanta Falcons (No. 8).

But if the Drake Maye steam is true, they’ll have to jump up into the top-5 to get their guy. But top-5 doesn’t guarantee them anything, and certainly not Maye. To do that, they’d probably have move into the top-3, at least, but possibly top-2, depending on who the Washington Commanders like between Maye and Jayden Daniels.

Related: Missing Out on Top QB Could Reportedly Cost Kwesi Adofo-Mensah His Job as Vikings GM

More than likely, though, the Vikings won’t be willing to pay what it will take to move up that high, especially if reports on the Patriots STEEP demands are true (THREE to FOUR 1st-round picks).

No doubt, though, unless all of the recent Maye + Vikings talk is just a smokescreen, it’s becoming pretty clear that the Minnesota Vikings’ top choice on Thursday is Drake Maye. We’ll see if they get a chance to prove that come Thursday night.

In his column today, Volin says he has spent months trying to parse through all of the smokescreens being laid out by NFL front offices across the league. And out of that extensive sleuthing, he’s arrived at a few different interesting theories, many of of which are related (either directly or indirectly) to the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings want Drake Maye more than the New England Patriots

Let’s start with the headliner. Volin believes that head coach Kevin O’Connell is locked in on Drake Maye as his No. 1 target, between him, Jayden Daniels and JJ McCarthy. That the Vikings want him more than the Patriots do. If New England wanted Maye that badly, he states bluntly, they wouldn’t be listening to offers from the Vikings or anybody else.

The Vikings want Maye more than the Patriots do. If the Patriots were truly sold on Maye, they wouldn’t consider trading their No. 3 pick. My hunch is that the Vikings want Maye more, based on the fact that Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown knows Maye well, having coached Maye in 2019 at Myers Park High in Charlotte, N.C., where McCown’s two sons also played.

Ben Volin – Boston Globe

Well, that must mean general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to pull off a trade up with the Patriots for No. 3, right? Not so fast, says Volin. Instead, he expects the Vikings to call their bluff and make them show their hand to reveal how much they really like Drake Maye.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Grilled Over Vikings QB Questions and Draft Plans… at Church

If Pats general manager Eliot Wolf’s hand comes up with the UNC QB, then the Vikings will shrug their shoulders and “settle” for JJ McCarthy. Clearly, one of Boston’s most plugged-in sports reporters is not convinced that will be the outcome.

Vikings can get Drake Maye at No. 5

In fact, Volin believes Minnesota might be able to snag Drake Maye at No. 5, after he falls all the way to the Los Angeles Chargers. There, he says the Vikings could get their prized possession with the No. 11 and No. 23 picks… and nothing else.

If the Patriots want Maye at No. 3, there’s nothing the Vikings can do about it, and they’ll likely settle for McCarthy. But if the Patriots pass on Maye, the Vikings should be able to find a willing trade partner in the Chargers, who look like they would love to trade down from No. 5. The Vikings’ No. 11 and 23 picks might be enough to get it done.

Ben Volin – Boston Globe

The Globe’s NFL insider isn’t sold on teams like the Vikings, Giants, Broncos or Raiders being desperate enough to do what it takes to trade into the top-4. That yes, he expects the Vikings will move up to draft a quarterback and the Broncos could too.

Related: Elite 2024 NFL Draft QB prospect reportedly wants to play for Vikings

But the Vikings can get their guy at No. 5, who they hope is Maye. Because, unlike the many other insiders who are eating up the QB, QB, QB talk in this first round, Ben isn’t buying it.

Quarterbacks aren’t going with the top four picks, maybe not even with the top three. It’s a quarterback league, teams are always desperate to get one, yadda, yadda, yadda. While Caleb Williams is definitely going No. 1, and the Commanders are definitely taking a quarterback at No. 2 (likely Jayden Daniels), there is hardly a guarantee that Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy go third and fourth. Maye might go No. 3 to New England, but in that case, I highly doubt that McCarthy would go No. 4. The Cardinals already have two first-round picks and need an elite receiver way more than they need a trade down for more picks.

Ben Volin – Boston Globe

Wide receiver blockbuster trade coming before QB deal?

How does something like this happen? Phoenix, Ben believes, won’t let Marvin Harrison Jr. slip past No.4 and it’s possible he doesn’t make it beyond the Patriots at No. 3.

That if anybody is going to trade into the top-4, Volin actually says to watch out for the Bears trying to move up from No. 9, so they can land both Caleb Williams (no. 1) and MHJ at No. 3. How wild would this be?

The Bears are already drafting Williams at No. 1, and what better way to create excitement than to get the best quarterback and the best receiver in one draft? The Bears don’t have a second-round pick, but I wonder if No. 9, No. 75, and multiple picks next year (maybe a first and a third?) would be enough for the Patriots to make the swap. I think the Patriots would be much more comfortable taking McCarthy at No. 9, while adding extra draft capital, than they would Maye or McCarthy at No. 3.

Ben Volin – Boston Globe

The most interesting part of this report is where it comes from. The New England Patriots hold the keys to the first round. If they take Drake Maye, the rush for QBs could be on and it’s very possible we see four quarterbacks go in the top-5 picks.

Related: Which Top 5 Teams are Most Likely to Trade Back with QB Hungry Vikings?

But if they complete a blockbuster with Chicago, for Marvin Harrison Jr, or if they take the projected superstar wideout themselves, we could see the Vikings land Maye at No. 5 and McCarthy in danger of falling out of the top-10. No doubt, Volin’s scenario is one of the best ones we’ve seen projected, if KOC really does want Drake Maye over all others.

Schefter: Minnesota Vikings will move up… and possibly target Drake Maye?

But when said steam and speculation comes from the mouth of the NFL’s top insider, Adam Schefter (ESPN), it rings a little bit louder. So when Schefty hit the ESPN airwaves Monday evening and reported (with conviction) that the Vikings are indeed expected to trade up, something that’s been questioned more recently, it caught my attention.

And I’m glad it did. Because then, Adam went on to report that “the league” believes Minnesota’s preferred target is North Carolina’s Drake Maye, if they can get up to No. 3, in a trade with the New England Patriots.

Per @AdamSchefter, Drake Maye is the “preference” for the #Vikings 👀

“I think Drake Maye is the leader in the clubhouse, but it all depends on the team. If Minnesota were to find a way to go up to 3, my sense is Drake Maye is the preference."pic.twitter.com/woIoAnrPhi

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) April 16, 2024

“If Minnesota were to find a way to get up to No. 3, my sense is, and we don’t know fully, but my sense is that Drake Maye would be the preference.”

Adam Schefter – Kiper and Fields Mock Draft Show (ESPN)

About 12 hours later, on Get Up (ESPN) Tuesday morning, Schefty sort of doubled down on his report that Minnesota prefers Drake Maye… but not really. In a “Burning Questions” segment he reports that speculation around the league points to Maye as their preference, if they can get up to No. 3.

Related: Should Top QB Prospects ‘Eli Manning’ Their Way to Vikings… and is it Possible?

But… he quickly pivots to McCarthy and admits there’s still a real possibility that he is the Vikings’ guy too. In reality, this conversations starts with the New England Patriots.

Do the Patriots like Drake Maye enough to take him at No. 3 overall? If not, are they willing to trade back with the Vikings (or anyone else), if offered a reasonable trade package? Then, does Kwesi Adofo-Mensah agree on what the Patriots consider “reasonable”. Those are the questions that will be answered by draft night, and likely dictate who the Minnesota Vikings end up drafting.

Schefter: League thinks #Vikings prefer Drake Maye over JJ McCarthy (maybe?)… but their options will be dictated by what the Patriots do at No. 3.

He's pretty convinced, tho, that one of Maye or McCarthy lands in MN. pic.twitter.com/i1fA07HdoG

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 16, 2024

“There’s speculation around the league that the quarterback that they’d like to come up and get would be Drake Maye. There’s been a lot of JJ McCarthy conversations with Minnesota as well. We don’t know which one they want, but clearly the Vikings want up for a quarterback.”

Adam Schefter – Get Up (ESPN)

Is it possible that Kevin O’Connell prefers Drake Maye over JJ McCarthy, in a vacuum? Maybe… but it feels like, if that’s true, the gap between Drake and JJ might not be wide enough for Kwesi to move heaven and earth in order to make sure the Vikings land Maye.

That, if “settling” for McCarthy at No. 4 or No. 5 allows them to… say… keep an additional 1st round pick, either this year or in 2025, that they might opt for McCarthy and keeping that additional draft capital, vs drafting Maye and losing that additional 1st rounder.

Related: Vikings Trying to Keep No. 23 Pick in Trade Up

Or, if the Patriots really do go ahead and draft Maye, that the Vikings would be just as excited to get McCarthy and keep some additional draft capital. If New England prefers McCarthy, which some reports have suggested, then it sounds like KOC would be even more excited to land Maye, especially if he gets to pay less for him at No. 4 or No. 5.

New England, whether they stay at three and take a quarterback or trade out. They’ve been getting calls. They’ll get more calls. And anybody that wants to come up will target New England at No. 3.

Adam Schefter – Get Up (ESPN)

Do they like Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or JJ McCarthy most? They’ve set up or already completed workouts with all three. But given all three of those quarterbacks are expected to go in the top-5, the overarching concern remains.

Will general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah be able to find a trade partner who’s willing to dance out of the top-10? Because, unless the NFL rewards them with a pick-swap tampering miracle, they currently pick at No. 11. Or, will the Vikings be forced to “settle” for a 2nd tier option, like Michael Penix Jr or Bo Nix?

Minnesota Vikings would be happy landing all three top QB targets

Well, the best local insider in town, Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) seems very confident that, barring their visit with Jayden Daniels going completely sideways or their trade-up partners — like the Patriots (No. 3), Cardinals (No. 4) and Chargers (No.5) — all drying up, that the Vikings love all three of the top quarterbacks mentioned above. Not only that, but he also sounds pretty convinced they will end up with one of either Daniels, Maye or McCarthy, when the dust settles on April 25.

“I’ll die on this hill, that my stance from a few weeks ago isn’t changing, regardless of what comes out the next couple weeks. Now, maybe subject to change a little bit, if I get some intel that, somehow next Thursday’s meeting with Jayden Daniels goes sideways. I don’t anticipate that happening. My understanding is the Vikings would be plenty happy with any of Jayden Daniels, Drake May, JJ McCarthy. I really think it’ll be one of those three.

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Wolfson confident Vikings will land one of Daniels, Maye or McCarthy

Doogie then dove into all the hypotheticals. He offered some context and gave himself some outs of his prediction. What happens if the Patriots stay put at No. 3? Do they take a QB or do they shake up the draft by picking a non-QB in the top-3? Do they tag the Vikings, Raiders (or even Giants) for a trade back, at that spot?

Related: Florio Wonders if Vikings are Waiting for Pick-Swap Tampering Reward from Falcons

But Doogie comes back to the same spot and comes off about as sure as any deeply connected insider could be, two weeks out from the draft. Not only do the Minnesota Vikings like all three of JJ McCarthy, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, Darren is very much convinced that the Vikings will end up drafting one of those three guys too.

“What is New England going to do at three I know Adam Schefter, earlier this week, suggested that the steam right now is New England isn’t moving off pick three. All right, so who do they they prefer if Daniels goes two? Do they go Maye or McCarthy, are they going quarterback for sure at pick three?

So I understand it, that the Vikings may not even have a shot at landing one of those three [quarterbacks], but I really believe they are going to end up with one of those three. That, whether it’s Arizona at No. 4 or the Chargers at No. 5, whichever of the three end up falling. That the Vikings will get their hands on one of those guys, that the Vikings are plenty happy with any of those three.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Wolfson can’t answer the question that would be the inside scoop of all inside scoops, which is who the Minnesota Vikings would prefer out of the three quarterback prospects they’ve been incessantly linked to all offseason.

Related: NFL Draft Insider Convinced Giants are Biggest Threat to Foil Vikings’ Trade Up Plans

Still, for how even-keeled Doogie normally is, I was very surprised to hear him announce with such conviction that Kwesi will find a way to get one of the three top QBs. Yes, he leaves himself one rip cord to pull, in a situation where they are locked out of the top-5, but he doesn’t appear all that concerned with that happening.

“I don’t have this knowledge, I don’t think anybody in my position has this knowledge, of who the Vikings prefer among Daniels, McCarthy and Maye. I don’t know that, okay, let me make that very clear. I don’t think anybody knows, but I’m sure they prefer one of those three.

I’m just telling you, my sense going back weeks, and I’m not changing this stance, is the Vikings have a healthy opinion of all three of those guys, that there would be happiness landing any of those three.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

For the Vikings, those reports (more often than not) include a trade into the top-5, where they take their next franchise quarterback. We’ve seen them closely connected to QBs No. 2 thru No. 4 on the draft board. For those who haven’t been paying attention, that means Jayden Daniels (LSU), Drake Maye (UNC) and JJ McCarthy (Michigan).

Minnesota Vikings targeting Drake Maye?

On Easter Sunday, Forbes jumped into the Vikings’ draft plan royal rumble. According to longtime NFL reporter (30 years and 6 books, according to his Forbes bio) Steve Silverman, Minnesota is targeting Josh McCown’s high school protege, Drake Maye.

The Vikings appear to be focusing on [Drake] Maye at this point. New quarterbacks coach Josh McCown has a long history with Maye, as he provided advice after watching Maye’s game film as a schoolboy quarterback at Myers Park (North Carolina) High School.

Steve Silverman – Forbes

Now, as you read this article, you start to wonder if Steve’s information might be coming from someone close to Vikings new QB coach, Josh McCown. The article focuses on Josh and his relationship with Maye, while the Carolina kid was throwing 50 touchdowns and 2 interceptions as a senior at Myers Park.

Not only that, but Steve makes it a point to tell readers that his article is not guaranteeing Drake Maye as the Vikings’ pick. He can’t promise that, he writes. Why? Because he doesn’t know if that’s who Kevin O’Connell wants.

Josh McCown targeting Drake Maye?

Instead, Steve focuses on McCown’s love for Maye and makes it feel like, if it were his decision, that’s who the Minnesota Vikings would draft. But, as Silverman notes, it’s not Josh McCown’s call.

Related: Insider Believes Vikings Used NFL League Meetings to Send Message to Patriots at No. 3

It’s head coach Kevin O’Connell who will make the final decision on who the Vikings’ No. 1 target is on April 25. Then, it will be up to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to TRY and make it happen. But neither of those two steps are a guarantee, when it comes to Drake Maye.

The long-standing relationship between [Drake Maye and Josh McCown] does not assure the Vikings will trade up and draft Maye, but it represents a strong possibility. Of course, the quarterback coach does not make the final call. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has to be on board, and his greatest strength is his ability to work with quarterbacks. After O’Connell is on board, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has to decide if making a deal to get to the No. 2 spot is worth it.

Steve Silverman – Forbes

The report goes on to note that the Vikings will likely have to include a 2025 1st-round pick, in order to make their way up to No. 2, which is where they will have to get, in order to guarantee they land Maye.

Will it take the Vikings’ 2025 1st round pick (plus No. 11 and 23 in 2024) to land Drake Maye? If so, does Kevin O’Connell believe Maye is worth an additional 1st rounder, compared to JJ McCarthy. If not, conventional wisdom says the Vikings should keep their 2025 1st and draft JJ McCarthy at No. 4 or 5, after trading up with either Arizona or LAC.

Related: ESPN Suggests Vikings Upgraded at EDGE by Signing Jonathan Greenard over Danielle Hunter

In a recent Boston Globe piece, Ben Volin wrote about his belief that the Vikings were speaking indirectly to the New England Patriots at the NFL League Meetings; that the No 11 and No. 23 picks should be enough to move up to No. 3, which could indicate that KOC and KAM are not as willing to move off of that 2025 1st rounder as some may think.

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the Vikings this offseason is how they will address the starting QB spot. After Kirk Cousins decided to depart following six memorable seasons to join the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, finding his replacement has become a top priority.

• Drake Maye pro day: Vikings scouts attended, Maye started slow but impressed after early struggles

Related: Minnesota Vikings Had a Good Reason to Walk Away from L’Jarius Sneed Trade

A couple of weeks ago, the organization seemingly found its next starting QB when they signed former first-round pick Sam Darnold. While the move didn’t blow Vikings fans’ hair back, there is still hope for a more exciting option. The team has been linked to highly-touted prospect Drake Maye for weeks and a new report claims the North Carolina star is the player most around the NFL believe the team really wants.

“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.”

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on a Friday edition of SportsCenter

• Drake Maye stats (2023): 4,057 total yards, 33 total TDs, 9 INTs, 149.0 passer rating

During the report, Fowler also compared the junior QB’s unique size to two of the best young signal callers in the league currently.

“He’s got that Josh Allen, Justin Herbert build. I’m not saying he’s them but he’s got some of those shades, where if you can let him sit for a year behind the scenes, he can really develop into an All-Star,” he said.

The Minnesota Vikings currently own the 11th and 23rd overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft order.

Related: NFL Draft Insider: Drake Maye Should Pray on Knees Daily that He Lands with Vikings

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wants Us to Believe Vikings Aren’t Sold on Trading Up for QB

He’s been tagged as the biggest project of the four quarterbacks at the top of the draft, by many of the most trusted NFL Draft analysts, insiders and experts in the business. But his ceiling might be the highest, too. There’s been a lot of talk regarding the importance of where Drake Maye ends up.

If you put him in a good situation and allow the Carolina kid to sit and learn, while also hammering down on his mechanics, your franchise could end up hitting the jackpot. If he lands on a team that needs to fastrack his development or one that doesn’t have a coaching staff built to work out his college kinks, Drake could end up as the next big bust in NFL Draft lore.

NFL Draft Insider: Drake Maye should pray he lands with Minnesota Vikings

That’s why one deeply embedded draft insider, Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network), said on a segment Friday that the UNC quarterback should be getting down on his knees and praying every day that he ends up with the Minnesota Vikings, where he can develop behind bridge QB Sam Darnold and work daily with great QB minds like Kevin O’Connell and his old high school coach, Josh McCown.

Per @MoveTheSticks, Drake Maye should be “praying” he lands in Minnesota and his “number 1️⃣ choice” should be the #Vikings 👀
pic.twitter.com/WHXiJn5bRN

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 29, 2024

“I would be getting on my knees and praying every day if was Drake Maye that, whether or not that means the Minnesota Vikings trading up to 3, 4, 5, whatever. Or, in this best case scenario for the Vikings, that Bucky has here, because Bucky doesn’t trade in mock drafts, that he just falls right into their laps [at No. 11]. I want to play for the Minnesota Vikings if I’m Drake Maye. That is my number one choice and quite honestly, I don’t care if that’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 11 or wherever…”

Daniel Jeremiah – NFL Network

Obviously, Jeremiah believes, as many do, that the Vikings have the best situation available for any of these rookie quarterbacks, which makes sense. It starts with the offensive weapons in Minnesota. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison could be a top WR duo for the next 5-10 years, based on their early career results.

Then, there’s TJ Hockenson, who’s widely considered as one of the best tight ends in football; and the Vikings have possibly the best young tackle combination in the NFL, with Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw. Oh, and they just signed running back Aaron Jones in free agency.

Related: Aaron Jones Signing Dubbed Best Value Add of NFL Free Agency

But beyond the ultra-talented teammates that a young QB will have to play with, is the coaches that he has to nurture his growth as a QB, which we’ve already touched on. The Wilfs hired Kevin O’Connell, in large part due to his resume as a possible quarterback guru and new QB coach Josh McCown is seen as the next O’Connell.

So if there is one spot where a raw quarterback prospect like Drake Maye is sure to thrive, it’s in purple and gold, as a Minnesota Viking.

Much like what we saw on Wednesday during Jayden Daniels’ pro day, Drake’s got off to a slow start, but according to most accounts, recovered nicely. In the end, reviews were mostly positive. As the session wore on, Maye looked more and more like the top pick he’s supposed to be, launching impressive throw after impressive throw, for the audience gathered at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Drake Maye casually throwing that ball 65 yards on a dime at his pro day. WR never broke stride.

Typical. The man was accurate on 21 of 26 deep ball attemps in the 11 games I graded this year. pic.twitter.com/K5qSGTfClV

— Joe (@JoeA_NFL) March 28, 2024

After slow start, Drake Maye impresses at Pro Day

ESPN analyst Jordan Reid stood by Drake Maye throughout his session, acknowledging a rocky start but noting his improvement as it progressed. Maye threw a total of 70 passes during his session. As mentioned, he got better with time.

His throws became smooth, fast, and accurate, impressing onlookers with his precision. When clicking, we know how well Maye executes his craft. His motion is smooth and that arm he has… it’s a cannon.

Stood behind Drake Maye the entire throwing session. A few errant throws early on, but he settled in as it went on. Ball comes out of his hand with plenty of velocity. pic.twitter.com/TnqaNo41tf

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 28, 2024

Okay this throw is just silly 🤯

Drake Maye at @UNCFootball's Pro Day on #NFLPlus: https://t.co/xuvj1FqQqZ pic.twitter.com/JKXv8QWb1D

— NFL (@NFL) March 28, 2024

Minnesota Vikings Scouts and QB Coach In Attendance

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell were absent, but that’s nothing new. Just like with Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams and JJ McCarthy’s pro days, it was new quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and scout Steve Sabo representing the Vikings at UNC on Thursday.

Minnesota currently holds the 11th and 23rd picks in the first round, but there’s speculation about them trading up. Drake Maye is being considered, given his impressive stats: 8,018 passing yards, 63 touchdowns, and just 16 interceptions in 30 games at North Carolina.

Wonder what Drake Maye and #Vikings QB Coach Josh McCown are talking about? 🤔👀

📸: @mike_e_kaye pic.twitter.com/gI5BhBFc91

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 28, 2024

Kirk Cousins is gone and the Vikings have acquired another 1st round pick (No. 23 overall) that most believe they will use to move up the draft board from No. 11 so they can draft their new franchise quarterback. But who is that quarterback?

Caleb Williams is going to be gone. The Bears traded Justin Fields yesterday and all but announced that Williams is their guy with the No. 1 overall pick. It’s widely believed that LSU’s Jayden Daniels will go No. 2 overall (to Washington for now), and that North Carolina’s Drake Maye will go No. 3 (to New England for now).

Minnesota Vikings prefer to spend more on Drake Maye than land JJ McCarthy for less

Then, there is Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, who was once seen as a borderline 1st round talent. Now, he’s much closer to top-10 than he is bottom-10. The belief is whoever wants JJ will have to jump somewhere into the top-10, probably even top-5 to land the Michigan product as their QB of the future.

As of Monday morning, the Vikings’ plans are still a mystery. But most have them deciding between a big swing up the board for JJ McCarthy or an even bigger swing, into the top-3, for Drake Maye.

Related: Vikings Probably Won’t Be Compensated for Falcons Tampering… but Rules Say They Could

If given those two options, the very plugged in Minnesota Vikings beat writer and insider, Alec Lewis (The Athletic), is putting his money on Kwesi giving up whatever additional assets are needed to move up higher, in order to land Maye. That, in Kevin O’Connell’s eyes, there’s a large gap between Maye and McCarthy.

Mailbag: Might the Vikings be able to hold onto next year’s first-round pick if they trade up into the top five?

Lewis: It depends. If the Vikings are committed to snagging a top-three quarterback, it’s doubtful. But if they’re OK ascending to No. 4 or 5 for an option like McCarthy — which feels like a major if — they could conceivably keep their future firsts.

Mailbag: Which is more likely: trading three firsts and getting Maye or trading two firsts and landing McCarthy? — Jordan J.

Lewis: I think the first outcome is much more likely than the second.

The Athletic

The young scribe wrote in The Athletic on Monday, from what he’s heard, it will take the No. 11 and No. 23 picks in 2024, along with another 1st rounder in 2025 and a 2nd-rounder in 2026 to move up that far. But if they only want to get into the top-5, they could probably get it done without the additional 1st rounder in 2025.

Drake Maye vs Jayden Daniels for Kevin O’Connell’s heart

If what Alec Lewis reporting is true then it doesn’t appear JJ McCarthy is much competition for Drake Maye. But that doesn’t mean Maye doesn’t have any competition for KOC’s attention. Lewis says this isn’t a battle between kids from North Carolina and Michigan. Instead, this is about Tar Heels vs Tigers. LSU Tigers.

Related: Travis Kelce Believes Sam Darnold Starts NFL Comeback Story with Vikings

Alec believes the trade up package it takes to get Drake Maye is very similar to what it would take to move up one additional position, to No. 2 overall. That to him, the Vikings appear set on getting either the aforementioned Maye… or Jayden Daniels.

Mailbag: It appears the Vikings prefer Drake Maye to Jayden Daniels. Why is that the case? — Luke B.

Lewis: It might appear this way externally, but I’m not sure I believe that.

As we’ve previously written, the Vikings were one of the teams that dove into, evaluated and expressed interest in Daniels the earliest. He’s wildly athletic, but the tape shows his accuracy, polish and ability to progress through reads on time. Head coach Kevin O’Connell values all of those qualities.

Maye is more raw but offers loads of promise. Evaluators rave about his leadership and temperament. His size and arm strength are undeniable. Emerge from the draft with either of these two, and the Vikings would assuredly be over the moon.

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Alec has been on the Vikings having real interest in Jayden Daniels throughout the offseason, even when others have all but crossed him off Minnesota’s board for one reason or another. There’s no doubt either, that Daniels would be a surprising target, given what we’ve been hearing from NFL insiders for the last couple of weeks.

So could the JJ McCarthy steam be more of a smokescreen than anything of substance? That seems to be what Lewis is suggesting. Stay tuned…