NFL exec thinks Minnesota Vikings could make a stunning decision in 2024 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings are widely expected to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night. For weeks, NFL draft rumors have suggested Minnesota will trade up for either Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. However, an NFL executive has a new theory that taps into more recent Vikings rumors.

One issue for the team is that the Vikings have reportedly been negotiating at a disadvantage in trade talks, one that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell created. However, Minnesota is still making every effort to try and move up for one of the top five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Minnesota Vikings miss out on top QBs in NFL Draft?

One existing issue for Minnesota is that its top options at quarterback might be off the board with Minnesota not even getting a shot at them. The Washington Commanders set the asking price so high for the No. 2 overall pick that no one could meet it, likely always intending to draft Jayden Daniels with the second pick on Thursday night.

While the New England Patriots have expressed receptiveness to trading the third overall pick, there’s a growing belief they’ll draft North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye. It would immediately take the three highest-rated quarterbacks off the board for Minnesota, which comes amid a growing buzz connecting the Vikings to Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix.

Now, just 24 hours out from Round 1, with three quarterbacks likely to come off the board before the fourth overall pick, one league executive believes Minnesota could take things in a completely different direction.

Also Read: 2024 NFL mock draft, 3 round projections

Speaking to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, one NFL executives shared their belief that Minnesota doesn’t want to part with both of its first-round picks in a trade. Because of that, moving up is becoming “a more arduous task”. While some view that as posturing, according to Fowler, others think it’s a very real approach that could result in a surprising Vikings draft pick with the 11th overall pick.

“I could even see them taking the best player available at 11, like a corner, and then figuring out quarterback at 23. Feels like all options are on the table for them.”

NFL executive on the Minnesota Vikings’ potential alternate approach to the 2024 NFL Draft (H/T ESPN)

While plenty of NFL Draft rumors this time of year are smoke, there could be some noise to this. The Houston Texans reached out to Minnesota about the trade for the 23rd overall pick, an opportunity the Vikings took advantage of.

Also Read: Why the Minnesota Vikings should draft J.J. McCarthy

Plus, previous Vikings rumors during the pre-draft process point to a potential alternate strategy that could unfold on Thursday night. Fowler also notes that the Vikings also like both Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr, both of whom could also be options, if they miss out on the top talents.

It’s worth noting that the Vikings had a positive experience in the pre-draft process with all five of the QBs stacked behind USC’s Caleb Williams, which means Penix and Oregon’s Bo Nix could also be options.

Jeremy Fowler on Minnesota Vikings’ feelings about Nix, Penix (H/T: ESPN)

Examining a potential ‘Plan B’ Minnesota Vikings draft strategy in Round 1

Before acquiring the 23rd overall picks, reports surfaced that the Minnesota Vikings had a lot of interest in Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. He’s been one of the fastest-rising prospects this offseason, now viewed by some as a top-10 talent with many regarding him as the best defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Related: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings

Minnesota also has a glaring need at cornerback and the two best defensive backs – Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold – will likely be available at the 11th overall pick. The Vikings defense needs more talent both in the trenches and on the boundary, with the No. 11 selection providing Adofo-Mensah with a chance to give defensive coordinator Brian Flores an impact, high-end starter at a critical position.

• Minnesota Vikings draft needs: QB, CB, iDL, EDGE

The Vikings could take either Murphy II or Arnold with their top pick, providing Flores with a cornerstone for his defense. Then later in the first round, Minnesota could snag Bo Nix with the 23rd overall pick, providing O’Connell with an accurate, athletic quarterback who makes quick decisions to execute his system.

It would be a much different outcome than the mock drafts projecting the Vikings to trade up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy, but it could still result in this team being a playoff contender in 2024.

Related: 2024 NFL Draft quarterback rankings

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