Vikings Predicted to Make Blockbuster Trade for Exciting Young QB
Following fresh information about the Minnesota Vikings’ intention to trade up for Anthony Richardson in April of last year, the team seems likely to do the same with Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback for LSU, this spring.
On the ESPN podcast with ESPN reporter Mina Kimes, NFL film analyst Brett Kollman disclosed that the Vikings were prepared to “sell the farm” for Richardson in April of last year.
People might not be aware of how aggressively the Vikings sought to get Anthony Richardson via trade last season. The amount of money they brought in was really substantial. The whole farm, they planned to give it all away. They intended to offer their all,” Kollman stated on a In an episode of “The Mina Kimes Show” airing on January 4, Kollman declared, “They were going to give everything.” But a tango requires two people. Their trading partner moved on because they believed they would be too excellent.
Considering that Kirk Cousins, an upcoming free agent, is at a crossroads for the Vikings, Kollman projected that Minnesota would make a comparable offer to sign Daniels.
“Minnesota will definitely strive to go forward, in my opinion. I think Jayden Daniels is a quarterback that is similar to Kevin O’Connell,” Kollman remarked, adding that Michael Penix, the quarterback for Washington, is also similar to O’Connell. However, I firmly believe that Daniels’ increased mobility in the run game plays a role in this. I have to assume Daniels is on the list as well if they attempted and failed to get Anthony Richardson for the same reason last season.
People might not be aware of how aggressively the Vikings sought to get Anthony Richardson via trade last season. The hall they set up on the table was enormous. The whole farm, they planned to give it all away.
As the 2023 season approached, Daniels was not regarded as a first-round talent at all. Even halfway through September, his average selection ranking in Pro Football Focus mock drafts dropped to 86th overall.
After playing collegiate football for three years at Arizona State, Daniels was well-known. a thin, 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback who makes up for arm skill with his legs.
But in 2022, he transferred to LSU, and that was different. In his first season with the Tigers, he advanced as a player who has demonstrated the ability to make wise decisions with the ball, tossing 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. That was recognized.
What wasn’t known was how deadly Daniels might be as a deep danger.
The 23-year-old turned out to be a late bloomer, as he burst into the national spotlight in his fifth season with an incredible 50 touchdowns and 4,946 total yards while also being extremely efficient.
From Pro Football Focus: Daniels paced all quarterbacks in overall grade (94.7) and rushing grade (92.4) while coming in second for passing grade (91.9). He also led all FBS signal-callers in passing touchdowns (40), yards per attempt (11.5), passer rating (143.7) and rushing yards (1,250) while commanding the nation’s most efficient offense in EPA per play.
Last month, Daniels was sized up with fellow Heisman finalists Bo Nix and Penix, but shortly after being named a finalist, Daniels made the case he should be compared to some of the greatest Heisman-winning quarterbacks.
His 94.7 PFF grade this season trails only Joe Burrow among all Heisman winners.
During his segment with Kimes, Kollman considered the prospect that the Los Angeles Chargers would be a prime trade partner for the Vikings to move up and select Daniels.
The Chargers hold the No. 5 pick in the draft and need a full roster reconstruction after their veteran-laden defense did not meet expectations this season.
The Vikings could offer the No. 11 pick, a future first- or second-rounder and a few more later-round picks to move up to No. 5 and land a blue-chip quarterback prospect like Daniels.
