“That would be my prescription. . . punt on trying to get one of the truly elite guys this year and build up the war chest for the next few years.”
The playoff action on Sunday dealt a serious blow to Vikings supporters who believed that all it would take to win the NFC North again would be a quarterback reset. Given the numerous voids in the roster and the restricted amount of draft capital and cap space available, what course of action should the Vikings front staff take? Trade down, contends Eric Eager of SumerSports.
over some fans who are still berating Kwesi Adofo-Mensah over the 2022 draft and the failed trades, that news will not be welcome. However, as reporter Joe Nelson discussed on Monday, the Vikings will have to pay a high price to select one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft.
With so many holes to cover, why stay put if you can’t advance to acquire a quarterback who could transform the franchise? Instead of filling more voids with picks, why not trade back and accumulate picks? particularly when it comes to the ball’s defensive end.
“I believe you must follow Buffalo’s lead. This is the Alex Smith or Tyrod Taylor scenario, in my opinion. The Chiefs got the first pick in the year of Geno Smith and EJ Manuel when they were 2-14. “They ultimately drafted Eric Fischer and continued to wait,” stated Eager during Monday’s episode of Purple Insider featuring Matthew Coller.
The Chiefs finished 2-14 in 2012 and were selected first overall. With Matt Cassell and Brady Quinn struggling, it made sense to select a quarterback with the first overall pick. The issue was that EJ Manual and Geno Smith, the best quarterbacks selected in that draft, weren’t first overall picks. In order to address their quarterback situation, Kansas City chose to trade for 49ers quarterback Alex Smith prior to the draft. They then utilized the draft to address other needs, selecting future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce in the third round.
Under Smith’s leadership, the Chiefs went on to post an 11-5 record in 2013 and waited to take a pick in favor of Patrick Mahomes in 2017. You are aware of what transpired next.
“I think that given where [the Vikings are], in my opinion you’re going to probably get (Caleb) Williams or (Drake) Maye, one and two, and I think Jayden Daniels is kind of in that three range,” Eager stated. “Due to his struggles with sack prevention, Jayden Daniels is not someone I would choose third overall. Next, you have your picks for Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, and other similar players, though I’m not sure how highly regarded some of those players are in the league.”
Given the abundance of skilled quarterbacks available in this draft, the Vikings shouldn’t be under any particular pressure to move up. Eager contends that it’s preferable to trade back, gain additional choices, and still select your quarterback if they feel secure with the second wave of quarterbacks, those around Penix and Nix.
“My thing is, lean into the uncertainty,” he stated. “Make Drake Maye go to Washington.” Make Caleb Williams go to Chicago. Make them more confident than yourself. There are [picks] 11 and 42 for [The Vikings]. I’m trying to say, choose those two picks—17, 32, 52, and 60. After making those, select Bo Nix, who has an excellent sack rate.”
Minnesota has just two picks in the top 100 going into the draft. Each of the two remaining postseason teams, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, has four picks in the top 100. They not only outperformed Minnesota this season and appear ready to contend going year, but they also have the draft capital to maintain and possibly increase their lead.
“Then have Bo Nix, have Jaren Hall, have a veteran there, there’s a lot of good veterans in free agency this year,” Eager states. “Then start the year, or start the year alongside Nick Mullens. This is an entertainment product, and quarterback Nick Mullens is entertaining and engaging. Kirk Cousins won’t help you win this season. Nick Mullens is not going to help you win this year. The only way you can win is if you have a young quarterback, and this year you won’t have access to a young quarterback who will be a blue-chip prospect. Thus, my recommendation would be to take a chance on attempting to acquire one of the very elite
