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VIKINGS TURN FOCUS TO NFL DRAFT PLANS — WHILE KEEPING JUSTIN JEFFERSON IN THE
LOOP


By Alec Lewis
Mar 26, 2024

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORLANDO, Fla. — Few NFL teams are as interesting right now as the Minnesota
Vikings. Fans know it. Coaches are aware. Even the owners understand.

Are they going to trade up in the draft? Which quarterback do they like?

These questions surfaced continuously Monday at the NFL league meetings, the
first time the league has convened since the Vikings acquired the Houston
Texans’ first-round pick (No. 23) in next month’s draft.

Owner Mark Wilf, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin
O’Connell were all present. O’Connell answered questions about the team’s plans
over the next month. Here are four takeaways:


1. THE VIKINGS ARE OPEN TO TAKING A BIG SWING AT QUARTERBACK

Speculation ran rampant once Adofo-Mensah acquired the 23rd pick. Many suggested
Minnesota put itself in prime position to use its two first-round selections to
leap up the draft board and select its potential quarterback of the future.

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O’Connell said nothing Monday to downplay that possibility. He called the 2024
crop of quarterbacks “a good group.” He said he feels “very strongly” about the
opportunity the Vikings can offer a rookie quarterback. He even referenced the
potential “big swing,” but added, “it’s got to make sense for both us and,
unfortunately, another team as well.”

The coaches of the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots shared this
week that their teams would listen to offers for the No. 2 and 3 picks,
respectively. The Vikings are not likely to pursue this massive move without
organizational alignment. Everyone would have to agree on parting with premium
assets (and, likely, future picks) for an uncertain bet. That’s a high bar, but
it’s feasible in a class featuring numerous high-end prospects.

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2. MINNESOTA’S STAFF IS MAXIMIZING ITS EVALUATION OPPORTUNITIES

O’Connell sat in the seventh row of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and
observed the quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy,
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix all threw that day. But
there’s much more to his involvement in the evaluation process.

The third-year coach will take multiple trips over the next few weeks to sit
with, watch film with, throw with and teach some of the most sought-after QB
prospects. He classified pro days as “great for multiple reasons,” but wondered
why a head coach would leave these evaluation opportunities to the whims of
others.

“To do the right job, to do the kind of job I hope our fans expect in terms of
the evaluation and importance of this selection if we’re able to make one,”
O’Connell said, “we’re not going to leave anything to chance.”

O’Connell tries to identify quarterbacks who can play in rhythm and on schedule
from the pocket, processing in real time and delivering the ball accurately.
Then, he sifts through tape for toughness and traits that allow a quarterback to
make plays off schedule. Interviews and time spent on college campuses provide a
glimpse into the quarterback’s charisma.

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O’Connell also stressed the value of private workouts and top-30 visits. He and
other coaches can garner a feel for how a player interacts in a teaching
setting. They can then visit the player’s favorite restaurants around town and
observe how they interact with people in their preferred environment.

“Building-changing quarterbacks don’t just change the facilities,” O’Connell
said. “Any room they ever walk into, they light it up, they change it, they
impact. You can see that on display authentically when you do the full process
with those trips.”






3. THE VIKINGS ARE KEEPING JUSTIN JEFFERSON ABREAST OF THEIR PLANS

O’Connell said Monday he has talked to superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson
several times this offseason. The coach said he views the receiver as a “pillar
of leadership for our organization.”

“That’s how I treat him,” O’Connell said.

The two discussed the team’s quarterback situation. O’Connell said Jefferson has
an immense appreciation for Kirk Cousins, but O’Connell also added that he
thinks Jefferson is “very excited” about what’s possible with a new quarterback.

Jefferson became a first-time team captain last year. He understands the
leadership role and embraces it. Any young player entering the NFL needs older,
accomplished players to lean on. Why shouldn’t Jefferson — one of the most
accomplished young players of all time — be one of those voices?

“That could go a long way for a young quarterback to have a guy like that,”
O’Connell said, “in addition to Brian O’Neill, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison
and Aaron Jones. You just think about what we have in our offensive framework
right now, and I think it’s a pretty special time. I know Justin is looking at
it like that as well, and my hope is we’ll get his contract done … and he
continues to be that pillar of leadership that I look at him as within our
team.”

GO DEEPER

Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Justin Jefferson’s extension and more: Vikings
mailbag


4. TRADING UP ISN’T THE VIKINGS’ ONLY OPTION

The Vikings’ recent acquisition of the No. 23 pick is all about flexibility.
O’Connell tossed out a ton of scenarios with the team’s two first-rounders. The
Vikings could trade up from No. 11, up from No. 23, down from No. 11, down from
No. 23 or any combination of the above.

Most pundits and NFL teams expect offensive players to dominate the top 10
picks. Elite defenders should be available at No. 11 if the Vikings cannot trade
up for a quarterback. Then, if there’s a run on defensive players between picks
10 and 20, the Vikings could be in position to snag an offensive option at No.
23.

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“You can add some really good players even if we’re not able to take that big
swing that I know we’re excited about the possibility of doing,” O’Connell said.

Suffice it to say, how Washington, New England, Arizona and the Los Angeles
Chargers proceed in the top five picks may ultimately dictate the Vikings’ route
in Round 1.

GO DEEPER

Vikings draft trade scenarios: The 5 most sensible first-round deals

(Photo of Kevin O’Connell: Kirby Lee / USA Today)




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