The handling of Kirk Cousins’ contract situation by the Minnesota Vikings has sparked speculation about the potential actions of both parties this offseason. This speculation includes considering the option of a trade to secure the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards discussed this possibility on February 17, suggesting that the Vikings could pursue North Carolina’s Drake Maye as the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins. While specific details about the trade package to move from No. 11 to No. 3 are not provided, previous trade examples suggest that such a deal could be feasible.
One such example is the San Francisco 49ers’ trade with the Miami Dolphins in 2021, where the 49ers moved up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select Trey Lance. The Vikings, picking one spot higher than the 49ers did, could potentially use their fourth-round pick instead of their second-rounder to facilitate the trade.
This proposed trade scenario offers a new twist to the ongoing speculation surrounding the Vikings’ draft plans. While rumors have linked them to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Maye emerges as a new target in this scenario.
Previous trade scenarios envisioned the Vikings trading with the Patriots to select Daniels at No. 3. However, Edwards suggests that the Patriots may choose a quarterback themselves, leaving Maye available for the Vikings at No. 3.
Maye’s performance in the past season saw a slight decline compared to his redshirt freshman year, leading to doubts about his standing as the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the class. Despite this, his impressive production in his redshirt freshman season remains comparable to Daniels’ Heisman-winning performance.
As the NFL Scouting Combine approaches on February 26, the landscape of the draft and player evaluations may continue to evolve.
