NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Insiders Believe Vikings Could Trade Up to Pick QB

Andrew PetersFebruary 5, 2024

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The Minnesota Vikings could be among teams interested in trading up to draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The Vikings, who currently hold the No. 11 pick in the draft, have some uncertainty surrounding their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, which Fowler believes could lead to them trying to move up and get in on a talented quarterback draft class.

“People around the league are keeping an eye on the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11, too,” Fowler wrote. “They did a lot of quarterback homework last offseason and could eventually target one high in the draft with free agent Kirk Cousins’ future in Minnesota uncertain. But moving from No. 11 into the top three would cost GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a ton of draft capital.”

Cousins will become a free agent in March, and it’s not clear whether the veteran will return to Minnesota or take his talents elsewhere. If he departs, the Vikings will be looking for someone to fill his spot, potentially in the draft.

The 2024 NFL Draft features a handful of premier quarterbacks. According to Fowler, it is expected that the Chicago Bears will take USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is the No. 4 player on Bleacher Report’s 2024 NFL Draft Big Board, with the first overall pick. Along with Williams, the draft also features North Carolina’s Drake Maye, the No. 2 player on B/R’s Big Board, and Jayden Daniels, the No. 24 player on B/R’s Big Board.

Williams, Maye and Daniels are just a few of the many talented quarterbacks that will be available in this year’s draft, and the Vikings could have some options should they choose to draft up.

If Minnesota wants to keep Cousins around, it could have to pay a hefty asking price. The quarterback is reportedly seeking a contract worth $90 million through the 2025 season, which the Vikings might not be willing to pay, given Cousin’s age of 35.