The Minnesota Vikings might have tipped their hand in terms of a preferred and realistic quarterback trade target in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
According to a report from Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report , the Vikings sent general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and others to Seattle to put Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. through a private workout ahead of the NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings trying to trade up for QB in 2024 NFL Draft
Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings seemingly have sights set on a blockbuster deal to get up to the top of the board to select one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft class.
Even after signing Sam Darnold, who could potentially be a veteran bridge to an incoming rookie quarterback, the Vikings have postured like a team that’s trying to move up.
Armed with the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks in this year’s NFL Draft, the Vikings have plenty of ammunition to trade up into the top six picks to nab one of the top quarterbacks such as Penix Jr., Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy, should Adofo-Mensah find a willing trade partner.
There is also the possibility that Penix Jr. could fall out of the top 10 picks, and into the Vikings’ lap with the No. 11 overall selection, which underscores the importance of sending some of the organization’s top power brokers to Washington for his private workout.
Michael Penix Jr. scouting report
Penix Jr. is one of the more coveted quarterbacks in this year’s class, and his productivity and traits make it easy to see why.
“His delivery is bundled and his release point is very low,” Lance Zierlein writes of Penix Jr. for NFL.com. “But, his monster game against Texas showed flashes of impeccable touch. Penix has plenty of arm but needs to work with more consistent timing between the numbers to eliminate unnecessary contested throws. He’s a pocket passer who was ineffective in 2023 when defenses were able to crank up the heat and make him move his feet."
During a stellar 2023 season in which Penix Jr. passed for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, the 23-year-old led the Washington to a berth in the National Championship Game.
More importantly, Penix proved that he could stay healthy after an injury-riddled collegiate career at the University of Indiana and in Washington.
Depending on how the board falls at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft — and if the Vikings believe Penix can withstand the wear and tear of an NFL career despite his lengthy injury history — it’s easy to see Minnesota walking out of this year’s draft with a new potential franchise quarterback of the future on the roster.
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