Inside The Vikings

The Vikings are the Ideal Landing Spot for a Quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft

Whoever gets drafted by Minnesota will be walking into a dream scenario.
Will Ragatz|
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell on the sideline
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell on the sideline | Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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Minnesota Vikings

There's no better landing spot for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft than the Minnesota Vikings. That's why some analysts believe the rookie quarterbacks who will have the most success this year are presumed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and then whichever QB lands in Minnesota.

Whether it's Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., or Bo Nix, the quarterback that gets selected in the first round by the Vikings this year will be celebrating on draft night. They'll be walking into a dream situation — and the circumstances around a player, especially at that position, can have a huge impact on how their career unfolds.

The Vikings have a young, creative, highly-regarded leader running their offense in head coach Kevin O'Connell, who happens to be a former NFL quarterback himself. Another former NFL QB, Josh McCown, is the team's new quarterbacks coach. Then there's the roster, which is highlighted by the best wide receiver in the sport, Justin Jefferson. Beyond Jefferson, you've got T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones in the skill position group. And up front, the Vikings have one of the league's premier offensive tackle duos in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill.

That context is part of the reason why the Vikings felt comfortable moving on from Kirk Cousins this offseason. They know they're set up as well as any team can be to bring in a rookie quarterback and help that player succeed. It also happens to be a big reason why they think Sam Darnold has some post-hype breakout potential as their bridge option if the rookie isn't deemed ready to start immediately.

ESPN's Mina Kimes recently said that if she were Maye, her hope would be that the Vikings move up to the No. 3 pick and make him their pick. "I think we all agree that Minnesota is the dream landing spot for, frankly, any quarterback this offseason," she said. "But it would be exceptional for Maye, paired with those weapons, that (offensive) line, Kevin O'Connell. Dream fit."

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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