The Minnesota Vikings are positioning themselves to potentially trade up in the draft to secure a top-five pick and acquire a quarterback. However, if this plan falls through, they have a backup strategy for the 2024 season which involves relying on Sam Darnold.
According to a report by Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline on March 21, the Vikings are considering using their No. 11 overall pick to draft Byron Murphy II, a defensive tackle from Texas, following a meeting with him during Texas’ pro day. Pauline mentioned that there has been speculation since the Shrine Bowl that the Vikings might choose Murphy with their 11th pick. However, the focus has shifted to the quarterback position. Despite this shift, indications from the pro day suggest that Murphy could still be their fallback option at No. 11 if a suitable quarterback isn’t available.
If the Vikings don’t address the quarterback position with their 11th pick, their next option would be to select a quarterback with the No. 23 overall pick, which they acquired through a trade with the Houston Texans, or stick with Darnold as the starter for the 2024 season.
Even if they opt to pick a lower-ranked quarterback like Michael Penix or Bo Nix with the 23rd pick, they’ll face challenges in immediately becoming starting quarterbacks behind Darnold, given their lower draft status.
To secure the Texans’ first-round pick, the Vikings traded away their second-round pick for 2024 as well as their second-round pick for 2025. Consequently, they lack second- or third-round picks in this year’s draft.
Vikings Not Willing to Draft Just Any QB in 2024 NFL Draft
The Vikings are carefully considering their options in the first round, indicating they’re not willing to settle for just any quarterback in the draft. While the advantages of having a quarterback on a rookie contract are clear, the Vikings are aiming to secure a quarterback who can lead their team for the next decade, rather than just a short-term solution.
Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling hinted at the possibility of the Vikings selecting a top-tier prospect back in December, especially before they acquired an additional first-round pick, suggesting they have serious intentions of either trading up or already have a plan in motion.
Goessling mentioned on a December 28 episode of the Star Tribune’s “Access Vikings” that the team had been considering prospects like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye as early as last year. He emphasized that significant groundwork had been laid within the organization throughout the fall regarding these rookie quarterbacks. He also suggested that if the Vikings believe they need to be in the top few picks to secure their desired quarterback, they won’t hesitate to pursue that opportunity.
Supporting Goessling’s assertions, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah confirmed that there is a “preferred plan” involving the additional first-round pick, but acquiring it provides them with added flexibility in their approach.
Additionally, Sam Darnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract in March, is seen as part of the Vikings’ strategy for maintaining flexibility in their plans.
Byron Murphy Is Worth the No. 11 Pick
Opting not to select a quarterback in the draft may disappoint Vikings fans, but choosing Murphy with the No. 11 overall pick presents a solid alternative.
Murphy holds a strong position on the Pro Football Focus (PFF) draft big board, ranking at No. 9. Additionally, he earned the distinction of being the second-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the nation last season, boasting an impressive 91.1 PFF grade.
His performance demonstrates a compelling blend of strength and speed, which proved effective against Power 5 competition. Notably, Murphy stands out as one of the top interior rushers to emerge from college football in the past half-decade.
