What will it cost to move up to # 3

I watched a podcast recently (not sure which one) that mentioned that we should have some clarity on the "Justin Fields trade situation" before Free Agency starts, meaning that the foundation of the trade will be laid-out this week in Indy and it will be announced in the next few weeks. It's probably better for Fields himself to be traded ASAP so he can start working on the playbook for his new team...

...but I'm not 100% convinced Chicago will automatically deal him before the Draft. I'm thinking Chicago might have "eyes" on trading up to the #3 spot from #9 ("double-dipping" in the Top 3 like Houston did last year) and they don't have a whole bunch of draft capital after Round 1 to work with, so they could dangle Justin Fields to New England. The reason why it might make more sense to wait until Draft night is that the cost often-times is a bit less in the heat of the moment on Draft night vs doing it in March/April where everyone has ample time to work through all the specific trade value scenarios. Plus, it gives Chicago more time to possibly inflate any "value" for Fields: once a decision is made about Kirk and Russell Wilson, Fields will be the best available QB1 out there on the market (trade market, anyway) and the value will just go up.

For the Vikings, I'm at the mindset now that JJ McCarthy is going in the Top 10 - even before any "high-character" reviews come out from the Combine or how he looks throwing the ball in underwear in a controlled environment (which is the most worthless thing when evaluating a QB anyway). If Washington and Kingsbury go with Jayden Daniels at #2 overall, Kwesi will immediately be on the phone w/ New England about trading up for #3 for Maye, and if Chicago gets #3 to get Harrison to pair with Caleb, then Kwesi will be putting calls into Arizona about #4. And if Kwesi loses out on Maye at either #3 or #4, then their focus will shift to McCarthy. I wouldn't put it past Daboll to nab McCarthy at #6, either (sitting behind Daniel Jones isn't a bad thing to do if your Daboll because you can get get out from Jones' bad deal in 2025 for a much lower dead cap hit), so to ensure McCarthy, Kwesi would probably have to deal with LAC and ex-Ravens assist GM Joe Hortiz and HC Jim Harbaugh to secure the 5th overall pick and you know that won't be too cheap and will definitely involve our 2nd Rd pick at #42...

So outside of the question about moving up to #3 for Drake Maye, the next question will probably become: would you trade up to #5 for JJ McCarthy knowing that it would cost the Vikings at least #42 and probably an early Rd pick in the 2025 Draft? We would only have 1 pick in the Top 100 in the 2024 Draft and that would be JJ McCarthy, who might not play a whole lot in 2024 - you'd be betting not on 2024, but the potential that he could develop into the QB from this class in 2025+...

If we can’t get one of Williams, maye, Daniels or then mccarthy even, then I would really hope we trade back to 17 or 18 and pick up someone’s third round pick this year. With or without one of the top 4 QBs I’m not expecting us to be good next season. Even if we re-sign Hunter. I don’t think we are going to horrible, but I also don’t think this is a playoff team next year. In fact I think there is a decent chance we are cellar dwellers for the north next year. Just to light on talent especially young talent. This team missed too much on draft picks over the last few years and I’m not even talking about good players. Even just average regular starters or even good depth players from later rounds you can say we are light on. This draft is going to very important for the front office and their future I’m sure. Need to turn around the drafting and quick. Also need to bring in some vets who can be average starters or good depth, not scrubs. Not asking for all stars or pro bowl players. Do better in players being brought in from a talent standpoint. I do think next offseason is the year we start spending money in fa because we should have a lot of it. This is all assuming we don’t re-sign Kirk.

What I would do is not going to be what I think the Vikings are going to do, and I understand what is probably going to happen and I cant blame them. Assuming Kirk walks of course, I see them being ultra aggressive to get Maye first, but then McCarthy if not. Like Uncle laid out I think #3 and #5 are the target trade up spots. While im sitting here as a fan and my plan, I have one thing that Kwesi def doesn't have and maybe Kevin to an extent too, and that's time. I dont see them staying put at #11 and hoping JJ falls in their lap. That is the ideal situation to me, and if not I would trade back a little and not lose any sleep. Kwesi has to make a splash here I think at the QB position, it buys them time and if they F it up they are gone anyway so who cares about the capital given up. The Wilfs arent shy to make a splash I think they would be ok with it as well, I think if it is even possible, meaning NE is selling, I think the Vikings move up to get Maye or McCarthy, im assuming Daniels is going to Washington at #2. They have been patient and rightfully so at the position in the draft, with this monster class and them running out of time in their personal contracts I think the writing is on the fall for them to be aggressive here. I wouldn't even be surprised if its before the draft.

We definitely need a QB more than we need Hunter. I'm not gonna claim I was privy to Kwesi and O'Connell's plan when they arrived in Minnesota but I really believe (2022-2023) was going to be with the veteran Kirk. Get the offense started with a vet QB and draft his successor in their 3rd or 4th year together.

I don't believe the defense will fall apart or be piss poor because he, Hunter, is not there. Free agency and the nine picks we have in the draft should ease the loss of such a good DE. I'm so looking forward to Brian Flore's 2nd season with us. 

I really hope we move on from Kirk! 

  

I really hope my exciting projection wins out and we sign a different veteran QB in FA for a lot less, then draft one of the 6 or 7 QB prospects in April and call it a day. Go into OTAs with a vet QB, rookie, and Hall.   

I get it and agree. I just feel like this front office is too predictable. Lots of delusional Viking fans that think keeping Cousins makes them a SB contender next year (which makes me laugh). Let's just hope Kwesi actually holds his ground and somehow nabs a QB of the future.

Kirk for one year makes alot of sense and I'm not a Kirk guy by any means