Vikings QB Trade Pitch for No. 2 Pick Makes Headlines

The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation is one of the more intriguing trade targets this offseason.

Their abundance of quarterback potential has resulted in a deadlock between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy. After winning 14 games with Darnold, the Vikings’ window of opportunity opened suddenly.

If Minnesota goes all-in on Darnold, it might result in a McCarthy trade

Sports Illustrated’s Matthew Schmidt advocated that the Vikings trade McCarthy and the 24th overall choice in this year’s draft to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick.

Is there a catch? Schmidt proposed a sweetener of an extra first-round pick.

That is two first-round picks and McCarthy in return for the second overall choice in this year’s draft. Schmidt suggests that the Vikings could land Travis Hunter at the end of the agreement.

However, it would jeopardize Minnesota’s future.

Yes, the Vikings have cornerback needs, and it’s possible that Hunter will also play receiving. However, even Hunter cannot meet every need Minnesota could address with those picks and the contract space saved by sticking with McCarthy instead.

In addition to five secondary starters who are either prospective free agents or considering retirement, Minnesota’s defensive and offensive lines require improvement.

More importantly, the deal is not fair.

According to the Over The Cap trade calculator, which employs the Fitzgerald-Spielberger formula to evaluate each draft pick, the 24th pick plus a 2026 first-round pick are sufficient to secure the Browns’ No. 2 overall pick.

There is a price for trading into the top five when a quarterback is expected to be drafted. In order to select Trey Lance in 2021, the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick.

However, the Vikings would already have Darnold and would be focused on creating a stronger roster around him.

They should be looking for their own pick haul for McCarthy, who was drafted 10th overall, rather than risking the future to grab a possible generational receiver/cornerback, whom they already have.