Vikings Trade For Kyler Murray in Ex-GM's Wild 2024 Mock Draft

Here's a wild scenario proposed by former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum in his mock draft for ESPN: On draft night, the Vikings trade the No. 11 pick to the Cardinals for quarterback Kyler Murray and the No. 66 pick. Arizona takes Michigan's J.J. McCarthy with the No. 4 pick, the Vikings get Murray to replace Kirk Cousins, and both teams still have an extra first-round pick to work with.

I drafted J.J. McCarthy at No. 4 to take over under center for Arizona, so Murray becomes a trade candidate, and Minnesota is still searching for QB answers after missing out on the top four passers in the class. I don't love the scheme fit for Oregon's Bo Nix in Minnesota, and it's too early for Washington's Michael Penix Jr.
Mike Tannenbaum

This would be one unorthodox way for the Vikings to address their quarterback vacancy. Murray would instantly become the starter in Minnesota, pushing Sam Darnold to the backup role. And instead of the risk/reward proposition of drafting a quarterback, the Vikings would get a proven player at that position. Tannenbaum's logic is that Murray is "cheaper and younger than Kirk Cousins would have been to re-sign and gives them a chance to compete this season rather than rebuild."

One can understand the logic behind the idea. Murray, who turns 27 this summer, was the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2019. In his first three NFL seasons, he won Rookie of the Year and made two Pro Bowls. He's missed 15 games due to injury over the past two seasons, which is a real concern, but Murray has the physical tools to thrive in the Vikings' offense if he's able to stay healthy. In 2020, as a 23-year-old, he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns while also running for over 800 yards and 11 scores.

Contract-wise, Murray has five years left on the massive contract extension he signed with Arizona, which includes $35.3 million in guaranteed salary for 2024 and $29.9 million in guaranteed salary for 2025. The Cardinals would have to eat a substantial amount of dead money if they were to trade Murray at some point.

The Vikings would have to be big believers in Murray to trade for him and move down 55 spots from the No. 11 pick. He's younger and cheaper and more mobile than Cousins, yes, but he also comes with greater durability concerns. Notably, the Vikings making this move would mean passing up a chance to have a quarterback like McCarthy on a rookie deal for the next five years.

Later in his mock draft, Tannenbaum has the Vikings selecting Illinois DT Johnny Newton with the 23rd overall pick. Not having to package 11 and 23 and a future first-rounder to move up for a QB would be one benefit of this hypothetical scenario where Minnesota acquires Murray. I like the Newton pick a lot for the Vikings, who could really use a game-wrecking player on the interior of their defensive line.

In reality, this scenario is highly, highly unlikely, but that doesn't mean it isn't fascinating to think about.

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