Schrager's Predictive Mock Draft Has Vikings Settling for QB5

Would the Vikings really be content waiting this long for a quarterback?

NFL Media's Peter Schrager, who is among the more plugged-in analysts covering the sport, has released his first mock draft of 2024. It's a predictive mock, meaning it isn't what he would do, but it's his best guess at what he thinks could actually happen based on conversations with league sources.

And Vikings fans might not like it.

Schrager has quarterbacks going 1-2-3-4, but the Vikings don't move up to get in on the action. He has the Giants moving from 6 to 4 to take J.J. McCarthy, giving up a 2024 third-rounder and a 2025 second to complete the deal. The Vikings could offer more to Arizona — 11, 23, and a future pick — but going back only two spots would allow the Cardinals to still land one of the top wideouts. Ultimately, Schrager has the Vikings going defense at 11 and letting QB5 fall to them at 23.

Round 1, Pick 11: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Schrager: "The Vikings stay put to take a top corner and great all-around prospect. Arnold arrived in Tuscaloosa as a five-star safety, then played inside and outside corner under Nick Saban. He flourished and was the Alabama defense's field general last season. Great juice and a leader. Sam Darnold will be the Vikings' Day 1 starter in this scenario, but that doesn't mean Minnesota's done with the quarterback room ..."

My take: If the Vikings are going to take a defensive player here, Arnold makes a lot of sense. He could be a building block for Brian Flores and Minnesota at the cornerback position. The 21-year-old had a ridiculous 2023 season, recording 17 passes defended, five interceptions, and 6.5 tackles for loss. Arnold has all kinds of athleticism, fluidity, and ball skills. Other defensive players who would be strong picks here include Quinyon Mitchell, Byron Murphy II, and Laiatu Latu.

Round 1, Pick 23: Oregon QB Bo Nix

Schrager: Nix could go as high as 11, 12 or 13 ... or completely fall out of the first round. I think 23 to the Vikings -- or another team around here in a trade-up -- makes sense. One thing on Nix: He's as accurate as they come, having just set the FBS record this past season with a completion percentage of 77.45. Smart processor, too. These are things that will be very highly valued by offensive coaches and QB gurus. That's Kevin O'Connell. That's Sean Payton. I could see Nix playing for either of those master tacticians.

My take: As mentioned earlier, I don't think Vikings fans would be too excited by this. In a year where the team clearly needs to find a franchise quarterback, this would feel like settling instead of being aggressive to go get one of the top options. But maybe there's a real case to be made for the Vikings staying put. They're going to try to trade up, but that doesn't mean they should pay whatever price teams are asking for. By doing it this way, they land a stud cornerback and a QB while holding onto next year's first-round pick. And who's to say Nix couldn't be a solid option for the Vikings over the course of his rookie contract? He's smart, accurate, experienced, and athletic, even if he doesn't possess the ceiling of the top QBs. I'm not saying this is would what I would choose to do, but I can understand the reasoning.

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