Five QBs the Vikings could target in the NFL draft and how to get them

Kirk Cousins is a free agent. Is the Vikings' next quarterback in this year's draft class?

Jan 30, 20240

Derick Hingle, Associated Press count

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. Could he become Minnesota's successor to Kirk Cousins?

The Vikings enter the 2024 offseason in a difficult spot at the quarterback position. Free agent Kirk Cousins will be entering his age 36 season and coming off of a torn Achilles. If Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decides to move on from Cousins, the general manager is armed with the 11th overall selection, putting him in prime position to target a rookie QB and trigger a rebuild.

Here are five options the Vikings could be pondering as the April 25-27 draft approaches:

1. Trade up to the No. 7 pick and draft LSU's Jayden Daniels

Given how many QB-needy teams there are, it might be far too difficult to trade into the top three for USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye. Daniels is a fast-rising prospect, but the Vikings might be able to snag him without giving up too much to jump in front of a team such as the Falcons at No. 8. Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, is dynamic with both his arm and his legs, combining for 50 scores to only five turnovers, and got better as the season went on. The Vikings reportedly thought about trading up for Florida's Anthony Richardson last year; perhaps coach Kevin O'Connell wants to go for a different SEC QB with a similar playing style.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vikings-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-kirk-cousins/600339309/