Wild 3-Team Trade Proposal Lands Vikings Top-3 QB Prospect
here are endless possibilities for the Minnesota Vikings to trade into the five picks of this year’s draft for a quarterback — but few have considered the potential the Vikings make not one, but two moves in the first round.
CBS Sports Fantasy managing editor R.J. White has done that, offering a three-team trade proposal involving the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots that could surface come draft night on April 27.
“It really feels like the Vikings have signaled they’ll do what it takes to get into position to draft a quarterback,” White wrote. “I think it’ll ultimately result in making two moves, a la the Carson Wentz trade of 2016 that saw the Eagles move from No. 15 to No. 8 to No. 2.”
Here are the trade details: The Vikings trade the Chargers their two first-round picks this year at No. 11 and No. 23 in exchange for the No. 5 overall pick; then, they would offer the No. 5 pick and their 2025 first-round pick to the Patriots to move up to No. 3.
Three first-rounders seems to be the price it would take to move up to three when considering the San Francisco 49ers‘ move from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance in 2021.
This path would position the Vikings to land a top-three quarterback of their choice instead of hoping for their guy to fall beyond the Patriots.
Vikings Have a Better Chance Talking Patriots Down in 3-Team Trade
GettyGeneral manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings’ acquiring the No. 23 pick in a trade with the Houston Texans after moving on from Kirk Cousins signaled another trade on the horizon. Nothing has happened, which could mean more moving parts need to play out before the Vikings can cement their spot in the top five.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that New England has not shown an appetite to trade down yet this offseason, however, White’s proposal would make sense for a Patriots team that doesn’t have an ideal situation for a rookie quarterback.
Asking New England to drop just two spots and still pick in the top five could be more palatable for the Patriots — especially with the likelihood of drafting a top-two wide receiver or a franchise offensive tackle in play.
Meanwhile, the Chargers just cleaned house and have a bevy of draft needs other than quarterback. They also picked a first-round wide receiver in Quentin Johnston last year and instead could use the No. 11 pick to land a blue-chip edge rusher, defensive interior lineman or cornerback. Jim Harbaugh would likely revel in jumpstarting the Chargers with two first-round picks this year.
