Bet the house
Assuming the Cincinnati Bengals take Joe Burrow with the first pick this spring and the Washington Redskins select arguably the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft in former Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, then Tua Tagovailoa is going to be in play from selection No. 3 onward.
This means the Vikings are going to have to make a significant offer to move up from the 25th pick. It could even result in them moving their top three picks this year, their top two from next year, and their first from the year after.
It won’t be the Lions Minnesota will be dealing with and Detroit might even have aspirations of drafting Matthew Stafford’s long-term replacement at the position with the No. 3 pick. This will all depend on who they select at three before a huge scramble begins at pick No. 4.
If Tagovailoa passes the Lions, then the Vikings offering a king’s ransom might entice the Giants to make a deal and prevent the Alabama standout from landing with the Miami Dolphins at the fifth overall selection.
This might seem improbable, but it is something Minnesota has done before. The Vikings acquired the services of running back Hershel Walker from the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 for six draft picks and five players; Jesse Solomon, Isaac Holt, Darrin Nelson, David Howard, and Alex Stewart.
The infamous trade enabled the Cowboys to draft Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson. This was a disaster for Minnesota and one they would be wary of repeating.
If the Vikings are going to double down on Tagovailoa, it would be out of character and jaw-dropping. Especially considering his injury concerns and the sacrifice they will have to make.