This time of year, there are a ridiculous number of mock drafts on the internet, laying out all kinds of different scenarios. This one from NFL.com analyst and former All-Pro Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew contains pretty much the ideal scenario for the Minnesota Vikings.
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are the first two picks in MJD’s mock draft, as many expect. Then, at No. 3, the Patriots take J.J. McCarthy, not Drake Maye. That might be surprising to some, but there’s been buzz that McCarthy — who the NFL is high on — could go in the top three. The Cardinals then stay put and take Marvin Harrison Jr. at fourth overall. And at 5, the Vikings trade up with the Chargers and select Maye to be their quarterback of the future.
This would be a home run for Kevin O’Connell, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and the Vikings. Maye and McCarthy feel like the best fits for their offense, with Maye possessing a theoretically higher ceiling due to his remarkable physical traits. To get him at 5 and not 3 would likely mean the Vikings could hold onto their 2025 first-round pick, which would be huge. Picks 11, 23, and a future Day 2 pick should be enough to move up six spots, unless the Chargers drive a very hard bargain.
Maye, who was coached in high school by Vikings QB coach Josh McCown, has the upside to make Minnesota a Super Bowl contender during his rookie contract. He’d be a candidate to sit behind Sam Darnold and develop for at least the beginning of the 2024 season, but he has all the tools to become a star in the NFL if he can hone in consistent accuracy. There would be no better landing spot for Maye than Minnesota, where he could work with O’Connell and McCown and join an offense that is loaded at the offensive tackle spot and skill positions.
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2024-04-05 21:31:34
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