The Minnesota Vikings are going to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in the 2024. They recently made a big splash in free agency, signing away former rival Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, who was released after he refused to take a pay cut. This move will certainly help bolster the Vikings’ run offense, which ranked as the fourth-worst in the NFL last season.
While the run game has improved [on paper] this offseason, the passing game has become a major question mark. Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, leaving the Vikings without a legitimate starting quarterback. While Sam Darold was signed afterwards, his body of work in the NFL has left much to be desired.
The Minnesota Vikings Cannot Rely on Sam Darnold to Carry the Offense in 2024
There once was a time that Sam Darnold was expected to be one of the next-best quarterbacks in the NFL. The New York Jets certainly thought so when they took the former USC product with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
However, Darnold failed to live up to the hype. In 13 starts as a rookie, he had a 57.7% completion percentage, 2,865 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and 77.6 passer rating. In 2019 (13 games), Darnold had a slightly improved season with a 61.9% completion percentage, 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 84.3 passer rating.
Unfortunately, 2020 saw his career start to spiral. In 12 starts that season, Darnold had a 59.6% completion percentage, 2,208 passing yards, nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 72.7 passer rating. After that season, the Jets decided to move on and traded him to the Carolina Panthers.
Darnold’s first season in Carolina was not any better than his last season in New York. He had a 58.6% completion percentage, nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 71.9 passer rating in 12 games (11 starts). Darnold made just six starts in 2022 with the Panthers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers to back up Brock Purdy in 2023.
PFF Encourages the Minnesota Vikings to Trade Up to Take Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft
Last week, the Vikings acquired the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from the Houston Texans. In that trade, the Vikings sent the 42nd overall pick (second round) in this year’s draft, a 2024 sixth round pick (188 overall), and a 2025 second round pick. They also received a 2024 seventh round pick in the deal.
The trade gives the Vikings two first round picks this year, 11 and 23 overall. Some predict that the team will use the 11th round pick especially to take a second-tier quarterback like JJ McCarthy. However, others, like PFF’s Trevor Sikkema, believe the team should package the two picks to move up to draft UNC’s Drake Maye:
“With Kirk Cousins signing a big deal with the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings will be looking for their next franchise quarterback – with all due respect to Sam Darnold on a one-year deal. Currently picking at No. 11, they are well outside Drake Maye‘s range. However, after recently acquiring the No. 23 pick, they seem to be eyeing a trade-up. Maye’s arm talent is ideal to invest in.”
While Maye would certainly be an ideal arm to pair with wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the question is if Minnesota can convince a team like the Washington Commanders (who hold the second overall pick) or the New England Patriots (who own the third overall pick) to wait on drafting their own quarterback. Two first round picks, though, may be enough to get a deal done.
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