There was never any doubt that the Minnesota Vikings would select a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It was only a matter of who, when, and whether Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would have to trade up to get Kevin O’Connell’s guy.
While the Vikings tried their best to patiently wait until a top QB prospect fell into their laps, we did see a slight move up to the tenth overall pick to ensure no one else could take J.J. McCarthy instead. However, as we previously knew, the Vikings tried executing an even bigger trade up the board, all the way up to No. 3.
Minnesota Vikings final offer to Patriots for No. 3 pick revealed
But what we didn’t know was what the Vikings offered the New England Patriots for the third overall pick, until now. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Vikings did have interest in moving up for Drake Maye, but it doesn’t sound like they were willing to make a ‘Godfather’ like offer to do so.
“The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants did make offers to the New England Patriots for the No. 3 pick to take Drake Maye. Earlier this week, Minnesota offered the Nos. 11 and 23 picks, and its 2025 first-rounder, with pick swaps favoring the Vikings as part of the proposal; and that offer ticked up with New England on the clock. The Giants, meanwhile, did wind up putting their 2025 first-round pick in their offer to move from No. 6 to No. 3.”
SI’s Albert Breer revealing Minnesota Vikings’ trade offer for No. 3 pick
What does it all mean? While we don’t know what the “offer ticked up” to once the Patriots were actually on the clock, but it’s an indication that Maye was the highest-ranked prospect on the Vikings’ draft board once Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were gone.
It’s also a sign that the Vikings didn’t have an issue and possibly even had a preference for standing pat, holding onto their extra draft capital (23rd pick and 2025 1st), knowing they’d still have a chance to select J.J. McCarthy.
While the Vikings obviously didn’t get Maye, the route Adofo-Mensah chose delivered McCarthy, arguably the top edge-rusher prospect in the draft in Dallas Turner, and still allows the Vikings to keep their first-round pick in 2025.
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