I last addressed my favorite quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft about a month ago. That was after the Scouting Combine and before the start of free agency. Kirk Cousins was still on the Minnesota Vikings roster. In an interview at the Combine with NFL Network honks, head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed guarded optimism that Cousins would be on the roster for the upcoming season. Despite that possibility, the Vikings were still likely to select their quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time, with the 11th pick, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Washington’s Michael Penix were the most likely candidates to be that quarterback of the future. A lot has changed since then. Kirk Cousins is no longer on the roster. The Vikings also have an additional first round pick. Second-round picks this year and next were sent to the Houston Texans for the 23rd pick this year. Before the trade, a trade to the top of the draft would probably cost first round picks through. 2026. That’s pretty expensive. Probably too expensive. A trade in March for an extra first-round pick is a pretty good indication that the Vikings have an even more aggressive plan in play. With the 11th and 23rd pick this year, the Vikings have the draft capital to move up for any of this draft’s top quarterbacks not named Caleb Williams. It’s been assumed since the first pick in the draft was assured that the Chicago Bears would select USC’s Williams. Even if tempted, there’s no way the Bears, no matter the return, would send the top pick and Williams to the Vikings. With two first-round picks this year, previously unreachable quarterbacks are within reach. That draft capital also gives the Vikings the ability to outbid any team hoping to beat them to the top of the draft.
So, as a Minnesota Vikings fan, who are my favorite quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft? It depends on the day as it changes often. More often than not, it looks a little something like this.
1. Drake Maye, North Carolina
2. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
3. Jayden Daniels, LSU
A month ago, I thought only J.J McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix were realistic. Now, thoughts of Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are reasonable. Perhaps due to the boldness of the trade with the Texans, I feel that one of Maye, Daniels, or McCarthy will be the Vikings quarterback of the future. It’s a dizzying feeling. Not since the selection of Daunte Culpepper with the 11th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft have the Vikings been able to grab one of the best quarterbacks in a draft. The Vikings have been searching for their next franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton retired in 1978. Tommy Kramer was drafted in the first round to be that quarterback. Despite a scattering of thrilling moments, injuries kept him from being the long-term answer that he had the talent to be. Culpepper looked terrific until his knee exploded. Teddy Bridgewater had potential until his knee exploded. A theme? If it is, I dearly I hope that it’s one that’s come to an end. The Vikings search for a franchise quarterback has been a long, frustrating, painful search. A problem to finding that quarterback has been the Vikings consistent ability to cobble together a competitive team. They’ve never been bad enough, consistently bad enough, or bad enough at the right time to grab a supremely talented quarterback. The closest was 2011. Their terrible 3-13 record earned them the 3rd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, that was a draft with only two top quarterbacks and two quarterback-needy teams picked ahead of the Vikings. This year is one of the most promising opportunities for the Vikings to find a potential franchise quarterback of my lifetime. It’s certainly the most promising opportunity since 1999.
I feel that the Vikings are willing to pay the steep price for whichever quarterback Kevin O’Connell, Josh McCown, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Wes Phillips, and all of the team’s decision-makers like best. Their opinion of the quarterbacks is the only one that matters. My opinion changes daily. Most often, I like Maye. I believe that his best traits fit what I believe O’Connell values most. Then, I suddenly flip and believe that McCarthy’s intangibles and winning record are best for the Vikings. His age and so-far untapped throwing talent are also intriguing. Then, I think about the freakish athletic ability of Daniels. I really believe that the Vikings can’t go wrong with any of the three. I believe that because the Vikings have the coaches and playmakers to help any top quarterback reach their potential.
My only hope is that the Vikings make this trade into the top-2/3/4 soon. The 2024 NFL Draft is still nearly a month away. I’m not sure I have the patience to keep my anticipation in check. The Vikings need a trade partner. The only thing that can keep the Vikings from one of those three quarterbacks is the unwillingness of another team to trade.
Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy. Oh my.
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