Vikings are adviced to swap an exciting young quarterback in trade for the $13 million playmaker.
On the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, an ESPN rumor said that the Minnesota Vikings might move up in the draft to choose Heisman Trophy winner and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
But more significant than Daniels’ professional viewpoint may be how the Vikings advance. When the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round selections to get Trey Lance at number three overall in 2021, they raised the stakes for a possible trade-up in the draft.
The Vikings are hardly the only team looking for a quarterback who may become a franchise. If the Vikings presented a comparable trade deal with the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, they might have to battle with the Atlanta Falcons, whose No. 8 overall pick would have an advantage. In that scenario, the Vikings might be able to outscore the Falcons by giving up another asset.
Matthew Coller of Purple Insider toyed with the notion of moving up to the No. 3 spot in order to give the New England Patriots something they haven’t had in a long time: a standout wide receiver.
Jordan Addison, not Justin Jefferson.
“What if Jordan Addison is the one? That seems like what I would do. That would be worthwhile, even if I think Addison is going to be a big star and I truly like him. Coller stated, “I believe you can replace the No. 2 receiver,” on a podcast episode of “Purple Insider” that aired on February 10.
Coller requested that Daniels be selected with the third overall pick in exchange for the following bargain, which he would be willing to make:
The Vikings Have the Cash to Give Up Jordan Addison
Addison, who was chosen with the 23rd pick in the 2023 draft, had an incredible rookie campaign. He caught 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is the most for a rookie since Randy Moss’ 1998 campaign.
Addison may be one of those components at a position the Patriots have historically had trouble selecting in the draft, something the offense of the team needs a few more pieces of before it has an ideal scenario to insert a rookie quarterback into.
At twenty-two, Addison will begin the 2024 season in the second year of his $13.73 million rookie contract. He may also have his option to play in the fifth year exercised. That’s a rookie-level contract for four seasons from a wide receiver that could rank in the top 20.
For that reason, Addison is a significant asset, and the Vikings front staff would find it tough to part ways with him.
But it might make all the difference in the Vikings acquiring a terrific quarterback to go with Jefferson.
LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels Could Be A Superstar
There is variation in first-round quarterback prospects, as the NFL has demonstrated. In the first round, there is a tier that is deserving of a top-five selection, and then there is a slip.
The Vikings could select any quarterback that falls to them with the eleventh overall choice, but that would mean going back to their previous practice of selecting quarterbacks that have left supporters feeling very stung. The Vikings have never gambled on a top-10 quarterback and have had dismal results when they have selected a quarterback outside of the top 10.
The fourth quarterback selected in the 2011 draft at pick No. 12, Christian Ponder, was not offered a second contract in Minnesota. Teddy Bridgewater, who was chosen 32nd overall in 2014, had a leg injury that ended his career, but he had the makings of a game manager. The only other quarterback selected in the first round since 1977 is Daunte Culpepper, who was selected with the eleventh overall pick in 1999.
QBs ranked in the second tier have their limits and warning signs. Daniels, meanwhile, has defied a lot of the doubters about his ability to rank among the first five picks overall.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels and #Vikings WR Justin Jefferson connected during Super Bowl week👀 pic.twitter.com/81GwzikdHk
— Heavy On Vikings (@HeavyOnVikings) February 12, 2024
Daniels, a genuine dual-threat who is drawing comparisons to Lamar Jackson, combined his inherent arm power and athleticism with improved mechanics and processing during his senior year. With 50 touchdowns and 4,946 total yards, he led the nation in both efficiency and total yardage.
Daniels went from being compared to other current Heisman finalists to being regarded as one of the greatest winners of the prestigious prize ever. Out of all Heisman winners, only Joe Burrow had a lower PFF grade this season than him (94.7).
The best part is that Daniels is already interested in the Vikings.
Daniels “would enjoy” moving to Minnesota, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, who was responding to an ESPN source Dan Graziano’s story that Daniels and Jefferson together “has appeal” within the organization.
Daniels and Jefferson have already bonded, as evidenced by their Super Bowl week photo together.
The Vikings only need to go retrieve him.
Leave a Reply