Is there a world where the Vikings get ultra-aggressive and trade all the way up to the No. 1 overall pick?
The Bears, who traded out of the top pick last year, own it again because of that deal with Carolina. Not only would Chicago have to be willing to trade the first overall pick for a second consecutive year — which would mean passing on the big three quarterbacks in this class to stick with Justin Fields — they’d also have to be willing to trade the pick to a division rival.
Crazier things have happened. The Vikings trading up from 11 to 1 is what takes place in a new mock draft from Joe Broback at Pro Football Network. Let’s take a look at the deal and the pick in this hypothetical scenario.
Trade: Bears get Nos. 11, 42, 126, and 2025 first and second-round pick; Vikings get No. 1 and 2025 sixth-round pick
Round 1, Pick 1: Minnesota Vikings (From CHI): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
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There’s a growing belief that Minnesota wants to move up in this draft, but at what cost? To get Drake Maye or Caleb Williams, the Vikings give up significant draft capital. How much remains to be seen, but it’s likely they’ll need more if they trade with Chicago.
Maye is a great fit in Minnesota’s offense. He has the arm talent to move the ball down the field on all three levels, and that’s a major crux as to why he’s considered a top-two pick. He’ll do well under Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage, but Maye also gives the Vikings an aspect that they didn’t have with Kirk Cousins.
One of the biggest gripes with Cousins was his inability to escape pressure frequently. Maye’s mobility allows this team to breathe more easily, and now the fan base can wait to see how he develops.
So the Vikings give up their 2024 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2024 fourth-rounder, their 2025 first-rounder, and their 2025 second-rounder to go up from 11 to 1 in this year’s draft (while getting back a 2025 sixth). Would that be enough? Here’s what the Bears got from the Panthers last year: D.J. Moore, a second-rounder (No. 61), their 2024 first, and a 2025 second to go from 9 to 1.
The Vikings are giving up a higher second-rounder and throwing in a fourth, but their 2025 first is a lesser asset than the Panthers’ 2024 first was at the time, even if the Bears didn’t expect it to end up as the No. 1 overall pick. Minnesota may need to give up another 2025 pick or throw in a decent player to make this happen (if the Bears are open for business at all, which is a big if).
As for the pick itself, Maye instead of Caleb Williams is an interesting call. Williams has been the consensus No. 1 pick for well over a year after winning the Heisman as a sophomore, but there are certainly analysts who prefer Maye as a prospect. There are also those who have Maye as their QB3 behind Williams and Jayden Daniels.
There’s no question that this would be an incredibly exciting move for Vikings fans. Maye threw for nearly 8,000 yards with a 62-to-16 touchdown to interception ratio over the last two seasons, adding 16 more touchdowns on the ground. He’s a 6’4″, 230-pound QB with big-time athletic ability, a strong arm, and accuracy to all three levels. Maye’s in the Justin Herbert/Josh Allen mold as a playmaker with size, athleticism, and arm talent. He’s not a flawless prospect, but he has all of the physical tools to become a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
Maye working with Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota’s offensive environment would be an ideal landing spot for him to reach his potential. If he pans out quickly, the Vikings would have the most valuable asset in football: a star QB on a rookie contract.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will undoubtedly give Bears GM Ryan Poles a call to see if he’s even considering moving the top pick. Ultimately, it would be surprising if that pick ends up getting moved — and even more surprising if it winds up in Minnesota’s hands.
