Exclusive; Vikings ‘Dream Trade’ Sees Team Swap 2 Firsts for Jayden Daniels

It’s a monumental move for the Minnesota Vikings to step up their game in acquiring a franchise quarterback this offseason.

On February 20, reporter Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report proposed a “dream trade scenario” in which the Vikings would give up their first-round picks for both 2024 and 2025 to secure a top three draft pick selection of last year’s Heisman Trophy winner.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the idea of pairing [Justin] Jefferson with LSU quarterback prospect Jayden Daniels has “appeal to some” within the Vikings organization. It’s a solid plan, though Minnesota can’t expect him to fall to pick No .11.

While Daniels is only the 24th-ranked prospect on the B/R board, he’s the No. 3 quarterback and could easily be a top-five pick if there is a scramble to secure signal-callers in Round 1. Trading up to secure Daniels would be a home-run move for the Vikings, even if it costs them next year’s first-round selection and more. As mentioned, teams don’t appear high on the 2025 QB class, so April might represent Minnesota’s last best chance to solve the long-term QB puzzle until at least 2026.

The Vikings can’t afford to wait because Cousins isn’t getting any younger, and Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay are all getting better.

As per Dan Graziano from ESPN, the Vikings organization finds it appealing to match Justin Jefferson with LSU quarterback prospect Jayden Daniels. While this sounds like a solid strategy, Minnesota might have trouble snagging him at pick No.11 as there may be other teams interested in acquiring Daniels.

Despite being only the 24th-ranked prospect on B/R’s board, Daniels is ranked as the third-best quarterback and may become a top-five pick in this year’s draft if there is fierce competition for quarterbacks. For the Vikings, trading up to acquire him would be an excellent move despite potentially having to give up their first-round selection next year or more. Given that teams are not showing much interest in next year’s QB class, April might be Minnesota’s last chance until at least 2026 to find a long-term solution for its quarterback problem.

The Vikings cannot delay as Cousins’ age is catching up and Chicago, Detroit, and Green Bay are all progressing.

The urgency of the quarterback situation in Minnesota has increased due to Kirk Cousins’ demands for a new contract.

The situation for Minnesota is further complicated by the fact that six-year starter Kirk Cousins will soon become a free agent.

It is possible that a player like Sam Darnold from the San Francisco 49ers may be considered by Minnesota during this offseason.

According to reports by Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo, the Vikings may opt for a more affordable veteran quarterback like Sam Darnold if Cousins’ price tag is too high. They could also consider drafting a QB in addition to this move. However, negotiations with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson are further complicating matters as he would prefer knowing about the team’s long-term quarterback plan before signing his contract extension since he is known to be a fan of Cousins.

Even if the Vikings trade up in the NFL Draft, there is no guarantee they will be able to acquire Jayden Daniels.

The LSU Tigers’ quarterback is Jayden Daniels.

The New England Patriots are the most suitable team for Minnesota to trade up for a quarterback while retaining Jefferson on their roster.

According to Graziano’s report, the Patriots require a quarterback of their own and rumors suggest that they may be open to trading away their third overall pick for the right offer. The issue this poses for the Vikings is that there is no assurance Daniels will still be on board with such an arrangement in place.

Caleb Williams from USC is widely predicted to be Chicago’s top pick, according to draft experts. Following suit, the Washington Commanders are expected to select a quarterback next in line for their team. UNC’s Drake Maye might get picked by new head coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury; however, Daniels’ multifaceted talent as both a threat and playmaker could make him a compelling choice given today’s NFL offense style.

If the Vikings choose not to bundle numerous first-round selections for Maye, their strategy of advancing positions may fluctuate. At that juncture, Cousins will have already determined his future and possibly inked a contract with another team.

It is possible that in such a situation, Minnesota may be deprived of both Cousins and the coveted franchise QB they are seeking to acquire through this draft. This would leave the Vikings with limited alternatives and an uncertain outlook concerning their most crucial position on the field.