Inside The Vikings

Vikings Trade Up For Drake Maye in New CBS Sports Mock Draft

Could the Vikings find a way to end up with Maye in April?

Will Ragatz

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Here's a dream scenario for the Vikings in April, courtesy of a new mock draft from Josh Edwards at CBS Sports: Trading up to the Patriots' No. 3 pick and landing UNC quarterback Drake Maye, who some analysts believe could be the best QB in this year's draft.

Minnesota has perused the rookie quarterback market over the past few years and has not been in a position to pounce. I tend to think New England WILL draft a quarterback, but the possibility that it is not in love with the quarterback prospects available has to be considered. In this instance, the Patriots give the Vikings the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins.

If the Patriots are willing to move back, the Vikings have to at least strongly consider it, whether that would mean ending up with Maye or Jayden Daniels (or maybe J.J. McCarthy if they really love him). In this mock, the Commanders took Daniels at 2, allowing the Vikings to come up and get Maye. Edwards doesn't specify what the trade from 11 to 3 would cost, but it's fair to assume that it would take at least next year's first-rounder and a second-rounder — and maybe more, if the Patriots are juggling multiple offers.

Even if the Vikings have to trade their next two first-rounders, it would be worth it if Maye reaches his ceiling and becomes a Josh Allen, Justin Herbert-type star. He's got that kind of upside thanks to his physical tools. Over the last two seasons, Maye threw for nearly 8,000 yards with 62 touchdown passes and 16 picks, adding over 1,100 rushing yards and 16 more scores on the ground. He's 6'5", 220 pounds with a cannon of an arm, plenty of mobility, and the audacity to complete off-platform throws that others wouldn't even attempt.

Some analysts are higher on Maye than others. His detractors have questions about his footwork, processing, and decision-making. It's also true that he took a slight step back in productivity from his 2022 ACC player of the year season to last year (though he did lose his top two receivers, Josh Downs and Antoine Green, to the NFL). Still, his superstar upside outweighs those concerns. He has the combination of size, athleticism, and elite arm talent that teams crave. If the Vikings can get him in their offense, where he'd be coached by Kevin O'Connell and throwing to Justin Jefferson, they should jump at that opportunity, regardless of the cost.

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Will Ragatz
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