Two New National Mock Drafts Have Vikings Landing UNC's Drake Maye

Is Maye the ultimate prize for Minnesota in this year's draft?

This is merely speculation, but it feels like UNC quarterback Drake Maye might be the ultimate prize for the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye was coached in high school by Vikings QBs coach Josh McCown, and although he still needs a bit of development, his physical tools give him as much upside as any quarterback prospect to come into the league in the last few years. You just get the sense that he would have a chance to thrive in a Kevin O'Connell offense that features Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and several other stars.

Maye is the pick for the Vikings in a couple recent mock drafts from prominent national analysts. In a new seven-rounder from ESPN's Matt Miller, the Vikings go up to get Maye with the No. 3 overall pick.

The trade proposed by Miller is the Vikings sending No. 11, No. 23, and their 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots for No. 3. That allows them to take Maye after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go in the first two picks. This year's two firsts and next year's first seems like the baseline for a Vikings move up into the top three picks. The Patriots could stay there and pick a quarterback of their own, but there have been hints from head coach Jerod Mayo and owner Robert Kraft that they'd consider trading down if the price is right. New England has a veteran bridge QB in Jacoby Brissett, and moving down would allow them to load up on draft capital for their rebuild.

Interestingly, in a trade-free mock from NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, Maye falls all the way to the Vikings at No. 11. Williams and Daniels go 1-2, and the Patriots take J.J. McCarthy over Maye in this scenario.

There's basically zero chance Maye makes it to the 11th pick, which is why mock drafts without trades aren't particularly relevant for the Vikings at this point. They're almost certainly going to make a move up for a QB. What would be interesting is if the smoke about McCarthy going top-three is real. If that happens, the Vikings could move up to the Cardinals' No. 4 pick and still land either Daniels or Maye.

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