Drake Maye has a strong connection to Vikings QB coach Josh McCown. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty … [+] Images)
As the NFL Draft begins to come into focus, the Vikings are coming closer to making their huge relocation. There are 6 quarterbacks in this draft, and the quarterback at the top of the draft is plainly out of reach. Caleb Williams of USC is on track to choose the No. 1 choice to the department competing Chicago Bears.
The Bears traded Justin Fields and they are much more desperate for a quarterback than the Vikings. The concept of the Bears trading the No. 1 choice to the Vikings is stunning and it’s not going to take place.
The 2nd and 3rd choices are in play. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots– Nos. 2 and 3, respectively– have both suggested that they would want to trade those choices. Both of those groups require at the position too, however because there are 6 elite-level quarterbacks in this draft, possibly they want to opt for the lower name while developing at other positions.
The quarterback rankings at this moment are relatively clearcut.
1. Caleb Williams, USC
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
5. Michael Penix, Washington
6. Bo Nix, Oregon
Williams, Daniels and Maye represent the leading tier of quarterbacks in the draft. McCarthy does not have the experience in a high-powered passing offense that the leading 3 can declare, however he has actually passed every test at the college level and he has actually revealed he can beat elite challengers.
Penix has a substantial injury history with 2 shoulder and 2 knee problems in the past, however he did remain healthy throughout the previous 2 seasons and he integrates an effective arm with distinctive precision. Nix can’t match a few of the elite quarterbacks in general speed and arm strength, however he does not need to take a rear seats in any of the other measurables.
The Vikings seem concentrating on Maye at this moment. New quarterbacks coach Josh McCown has a long history with Maye, as he offered suggestions after viewing Maye’s video game movie as a school child quarterback at Myers Park (North Carolina) High School.
Maye states that his advancement stood out at Myers Park, and McCown had a substantial effect. “Playing there actually altered my football course,” he stated“Going in there my sophomore year and type of being the guy at quarterback, and things began from there. It began my journey.”
McCown was signed as a backup quarterback for the Eagles in 2019 after Philadelphia was struck with a variety of QB injuries. McCown would set up the Myers Park offending tactical plan on Mondays before flying back to Philadelphia to get ready for his task with the Eagles.
The Maye-McCown collaboration worked exceptionally well as the quarterback had a 50-2 goal to interception ratio that season.
The enduring relationship in between the 2 guys does not guarantee the Vikings will trade up and draft Maye, however it represents a likelihood.
Naturally, the quarterback coach does not make the last call. Head coach Kevin O’Connell needs to be on board, and his biggest strength is his capability to deal with quarterbacks.
After O’Connell is on board, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to choose if negotiating to get to the No. 2 area deserves it.
The Vikings have the 11th and 23rd choices in this year’s draft, and they would probably need to include a first-round choice in 2025 or 2026 to please their trade partners. That’s a substantial rate to spend for a quarterback possibility.
There are no warranties at this moment, however it appears the Vikings have a strong connection to Maye and they will attempt to negotiate that will provide the choice of picking their quarterback of the future.