Some Within Vikings Organization Eyeing Trade-Up for Justin Jefferson Friendly QB in NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings are entering another offseason in which they lack clarity at the future when it comes to their franchise quarterback. Kirk Cousins has filled that role ever since signing a then-record breaking contract in 2018.
Related: Vikings Want Kirk Cousins’ Future Decided this Month; Danielle Hunter Talks on Hold
But now, the Vikings’ Pro Bowl QB is set for unrestricted free agency, and while both sides would like to find common ground on an extension, anything could happen between now and the 2024 NFL Draft. And there’s one player in the NFL Draft pool who the Vikings’ front office may be growing infatuated with, according to one NFL insider.
Minnesota Vikings Growing Infatuated With LSU’s Jayden Daniels?
ESPN’s Dan Graziano has been down in Las Vegas preparing for Super Bowl Sunday. During his time circulating with fellow NFL insiders, team officials and other football minds, Graziano picked up a few golden nuggets relating to the Minnesota Vikings.
One of his insider notes from Saturday said the Vikings are a team to watch in a trade-up scenario. The NFL insider even names their likely QB target, if they can pull off a blockbuster trade up the draft board with, let’s say, the Patriots at pick 3.
According to Graziano’s report, pairing Justin Jefferson with another LSU alum, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, “has appeal to some in the organization”.
“The Patriots also need a quarterback, but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft and addressing the quarterback position in free agency. If the Pats do trade that pick — which could be Daniels or Maye — the two teams I’d keep an eye on are the Falcons (moving from the No. 8 spot) and the Vikings (moving from the No. 11 spot, assuming they don’t bring back Cousins). Minnesota knows it eventually has to address the quarterback position long term, and the notion of bringing in Daniels to pair with their star LSU alum wideout Justin Jefferson has appeal to some in the organization.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Minnesota Vikings’ interest in Jayden Daniels
Many anticipate that Daniels could go No. 3 overall to the QB-needy New England Patriots, but with how unpredictable the NFL is, it’s possible we see Bill Belichick’s former team trade down too. If so, the Vikings, who have been willing to make a major move up the draft board in the past, could make a behemoth offer for the third overall pick too.
While Jefferson and Daniels never crossed paths at LSU, players from the same alma mater often seek out opportunities to team up in the pros too. If the Patriots are willing to play ball, we could see the Vikings take that approach with the face of their franchise, in hopes of adding another impact playmaker next to Jefferson on the team’s current Mount Rushmore.
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