On the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, an ESPN rumor said that the Minnesota Vikings might move up in the draft to
choose Heisman Trophy winner and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
But more significant than Daniels’ professional viewpoint may be how the Vikings advance. When the San Francisco
49ers traded three first-round selections to get Trey Lance at number three overall in 2021, they raised the stakes for
a possible trade-up in the draft. The Vikings are hardly the only team looking for a quarterback who may become a
franchise. If the Vikings presented a comparable trade deal with the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, they might have
to battle with the Atlanta Falcons, whose No. 8 overall pick would have an advantage. In that scenario, the Vikings
might be able to outscore the Falcons by giving up another asset.
Matthew Coller of Purple Insider toyed with the notion of moving up to the No. 3 spot in order to give the New
England Patriots something they haven’t had in a long time: a standout wide receiver.
Jordan Addison, not Justin Jefferson.
“What if Jordan Addison is the one? That seems like what I would do. That would be worthwhile, even if I think
Addison is going to be a big star and I truly like him. Coller stated, “I believe you can replace the No. 2 receiver,” on a
podcast episode of “Purple Insider” that aired on February 10. Coller requested that Daniels be selected with the
third overall pick in exchange for the following bargain, which he would be willing to make:
Addison Jordan
11th overall selection in the 2024 draft
Potential first-round selection
Potential second-round selection
Addison, who was chosen with the 23rd pick in the 2023 draft, had an incredible rookie campaign. He caught 70
passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is the most for a rookie since Randy Moss’ 1998 campaign. Addison
may be one of those components at a position the Patriots have historically had trouble selecting in the draft,
something the offense of the team needs a few more pieces of before it has an ideal scenario to insert a rookie
quarterback into.
At twenty-two, Addison will begin the 2024 season in the second year of his $13.73 million rookie contract. He may
also have his option to play in the fifth year exercised. That’s a rookie-level contract for four seasons from a wide
receiver that could rank in the top 20.
For that reason, Addison is a significant asset, and the Vikings front staff would find it tough to part ways with him.
But it might make all the difference in the Vikings acquiring a terrific quarterback to go with Jefferson. There is
variation in first-round quarterback prospects, as the NFL has demonstrated. In the first round, there is a tier that is
deserving of a top-five selection, and then there is a slip. The Vikings could select any quarterback that falls to them
with the eleventh overall choice, but that would mean going back to their previous practice of selecting quarterbacks
that have left supporters feeling very stung. The Vikings have never gambled on a top-10 quarterback and have had
dismal results when they have selected a quarterback outside of the top 10.
The fourth quarterback selected in the 2011 draft at pick No. 12, Christian Ponder, was not offered a second contract
in Minnesota. Teddy Bridgewater, who was chosen 32nd overall in 2014, had a leg injury that ended his career, but
he had the makings of a game manager. The only other quarterback selected in the first round since 1977 is Daunte
Culpepper, who was selected with the eleventh overall pick in 1999.
QBs ranked in the second tier have their limits and warning signs. Daniels, meanwhile, has defied a lot of the
doubters about his ability to rank among the first five picks overall.
Daniels, a genuine dual-threat who is drawing comparisons to Lamar Jackson, combined his inherent arm power
and athleticism with improved mechanics and processing during his senior year. With 50 touchdowns and 4,946
total yards, he led the nation in both efficiency and total yardage. Daniels went from being compared to other current
Heisman finalists to being regarded as one of the greatest winners of the prestigious prize ever. Out of all Heisman
winners, only Joe Burrow had a lower PFF grade this season than him (94.7).
