1. Trade what it takes to get in position to select one of the draft’s perceived top quarterbacks.
- Caleb Williams
- Drake Maye
- Jayden Daniels
2. Go defense with the first pick and hopefully find a potential future quarterback from the next wave.
- J.J. McCarthy
- Bo Nix
- Michael Penix Jr.
The second option would probably include the Vikings re-signing Kirk Cousins for a year or two. For me, this changes daily. Perhaps more frequently. Today, I’m probably leaning #2. This is a mock draft using that strategy.
1. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
2. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
4. Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
4. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
The Vikings must add defensive playmakers in this draft. That’s probably why I’m currently leaning into going after a quarterback with the second pick. Cornerback, edge, and defensive tackle, in some order, are the biggest defensive needs. With the 11th pick, I believe that the Vikings will have the opportunity to grab the best corner in this draft. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins should all be available. I’m going with Arnold in this mock draft but Mitchell is coming on fast after an excellent week of practices at the Senior Bowl.
As for the quarterback, I really like J.J. McCarthy. I’ll like him even more after sitting behind Cousins after a year, or two. If the Vikings decision-makers like him enough, and worry about him not being available later, I wouldn’t be disappointed if he’s the pick at 11. If that happens, this draft would work for me.
1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
2. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
-or Adisa Isaac, Edge, Penn State
4. Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
4. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
I’d be very happy with either draft. In reality, I seriously doubt that Michael Hall Jr. will be available in the fourth round. It’s more likely that he’s off the board in the second round, certainly the third round. Florida State’s Braden Fiske might be a more likely fourth round option. Although, he may soon follow Hall on Day 2. Not having a third round pick is painful. That’s the price a team pays to add a player like T.J. Hockenson. Thinking about Hockenson as the Vikings third round pick eases the pain of not having the pick.
If the Vikings go with Option #1, I sure hope that they do heavy defensive work in free agency. Which quarterback would they pursue? Caleb Williams won’t be an option. The Chicago Bears are either grabbing him or trading the first pick to another team that will. That team won’t be the Vikings. Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels? I’m currently thinking Drake Maye. But Jayden Daniels sure would be fun.
Until the next mock draft.
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