Vikings trade rumors: How Minnesota can package 2024 NFL Draft picks for major move up

The Vikings are loading up on 2024 draft picks. The question now becomes what they’re going to do with those picks.

Minnesota traded with the Texans to acquire the No. 23 pick, giving the Vikings a pair of first-round selections to go along with their No. 11 selection. The Vikings gave up a 2024 second, 2025 second, and a 2024 sixth to pick up the first along with a 2024 seventh from Houston.

The Vikings now no longer have any Day 2 picks in the 2024 draft. Beyond the 2024 first-rounders, Minnesota only has selections in the fourth, sixth, and seventh.

The move has fueled speculation the Vikings are building up to make a larger splash, stashing up high picks to put together a compelling trade. Here’s what you need to know.

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Vikings trade rumorsThere is a clear and obvious need for the Vikings: quarterback. Minnesota could not bring back Kirk Cousins when he hit free agency as he signed a deal with the Falcons. After inking Sam Darnold, Minnesota’s quarterback room now consists of Darnold, Jaren Hall, and Nick Mullens. 

Considering how stout the Vikings defense is, along with offensive weapons like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and T.J. Hockenson, it’s fair to say Minnesota remains only a quarterback away from serious contention.

At this point, it is widely assumed the first three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft will all be quarterbacks. In some order, it will be Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. Additionally, there has been speculation J.J. McCarthy will be the fourth quarterback after seemingly separating himself enough from the rest of the class, and that the Cardinals might trade out of No. 4 for a QB-needy team looking to land McCarthy with the selection.

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As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and Chad Graff speculated, the Vikings might look to New England at the No. 3 selection to take one of the clear top three. 

Safe guess: The first call for the Vikings is to the Patriots to offer picks No. 11, No. 23 and another sweetner for the No. 3 overall pick

Then it becomes a Robert Kraft decision. https://t.co/GpcrQm3TCl

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 15, 2024If the Patriots love Maye/Daniels, that’s the pick at No. 3.

But these QBs aren’t universally loved by every team (we don’t know how NE feels). Vikings at least check in and see if NE willing to consider. https://t.co/f9BQhY6hCq

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 15, 2024The trade possibility I keep thinking about:

Minnesota offers No. 11 and 23 this year plus next year’s first-round pick for No. 3.

What do the Patriots say? That might be enough to move them from their plan of a QB at No. 3.

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 15, 2024ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio added to the speculation, saying if the Vikings had intentions of using the No. 23 pick, they would not have likely made the trade as early as they did. The Bears are likely taking Williams first and the Commanders taking Daniels second, leaving the Patriots at No. 3 to either draft Maye or make a trade.

The trade between the Texans and Cardinals in 2023 could provide the blueprint for a Minnesota deal with either New England at No. 3 or Arizona at No. 4. Houston moved up to No. 3 to draft EDGE Will Anderson, sending the No. 12 and No. 33 picks in 2023 along with a 2024 first- and 2024 third-round pick for the No. 3 pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick.

Should New England value the No. 3 pick higher, the swap between the 49ers and Dolphins in 2021 could be a template. San Francisco sent the No. 12 pick in 2021, along with first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 and a third in 2022, to move up to No. 3.

The Vikings have similar picks as both examples, with the No. 11 and No. 23 picks available in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Vikings also have their 2025 first- and third-round picks available after sending their 2025 second-round pick to the Texans as part of the deal to collect the No. 23 selection. Minnesota also has its 2026 first-round pick available to move.

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There’s another extreme suggestion that has been going around. The Chargers are well over the cap and have been parting with hefty contracts left and right, including sending Keenan Allen to the Bears for a fourth-round pick. Los Angeles picks fifth overall and could be in a spot to draft J.J. McCarthy, who Jim Harbaugh coached while at Michigan. Could the Chargers send Justin Herbert to Minnesota for a large array of picks to help jumpstart the rebuild while the Vikings take on a star quarterback with a massive contract? 

Star quarterbacks are hard to come by. Don’t expect the Chargers to part with theirs short of anything earth-shattering.

The Vikings trade 11 + 23 to the Chargers for Justin Herbert.

Justin Herbert now gets Jefferson/Addison/Hock to throw to.

The Chargers then draft McCarthy at 5, Bowers at 11, Kris Jenkins at 23, Roman Wilson at 37, and Blake Corum at 69 and become the Los Angeles Wolverines. pic.twitter.com/QzOTjQIQ67

— Addison Hayes (@amazehayes_) March 15, 2024Minnesota certainly appears primed to strike for a top-four pick if the Patriots or Cardinals decide to listen to the offers. If the Chargers are listening, all the better.