Minnesota Vikings Flying for Private Visit With Top NFL Draft QB

After Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, one of the Vikings’ top priorities in the upcoming draft is emerging with a franchise quarterback of the future in tow.

According to a report from NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Vikings brass is flying to Baton Rouge to meet with and have dinner with LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

If the Vikings are going to have any chance at adding Daniels, he would need to slip past the Washington Commanders — whom he met with on Wednesday, April 17, and Minnesota would need to put together a compelling enough trade package to move up all the way to the No. 3 selection in a deal with the New England Patriots.

What Jayden Daniels Would Bring Minnesota Vikings in NFL Draft

The Vikings are actively trying to move up, so it isn’t surprising to see the franchise’s power brokers flying out for a private visit with one of the top quarterback prospects in this class.

“Jayden’s a good combo quarterback,” an AFC Offensive Coach told me recently. “He has a big arm with accuracy and feet to extend plays. He’s physically more gifted than Deshaun Watson, but I can’t say yet if he’s more instinctive at this level.”

Daniels’ arm-strength would potentially bring out the best in wide receiver and consistent deep-threat, Justin Jefferson, if Minnesota can manage to move up the board without trading the All-Pro away as part of the package.

Last season, Daniels completed a career-high 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns to just four interceptions.

Minnesota’s sights being set on one of the top quarterbacks is certainly noteworthy as the draft approaches. So too, is whether the Vikings will manage to find a team willing to trade back in exchange for a haul of assets rather than taking a quarterback themselves.