They get blown away with a trade offer
The Vikings could be sitting at pick No. 14 with no intention of moving down, but then they could suddenly get offered a deal that blows them out of the water.
There are plenty of prospects who could make this scenario a reality and the best chance would be if a quarterback slips down the board. Minnesota is unlikely to take a quarterback in the first round this year since they are in win-now mode. But they could still benefit from one being on the board when they are on the clock.
It’s hard to see passing prospects like Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, or even Trey Lance being available at pick No. 14, as there are about eight teams picking in the top 12 who could all use quarterback help. One young signal-caller who could still be on the board when Minnesota goes on the clock in the first round could be former Alabama passer, Mac Jones.
Jones is far from an athletic specimen, but he is a very cerebral quarterback who understands a pro offense, and he throws a very accurate and catchable football.
There are teams picking behind the Vikings like Washington Football Team and Chicago Bears who could be looking to find a franchise-caliber quarterback in this year’s draft. The New England Patriots are also in that boat and if Washington or the Bears want to get ahead of them, Minnesota’s phone might end up ringing off the hook.
If the Vikings are offered the other team’s first-round pick plus a first-round selection in next year’s draft to move up to 14, Spielman shouldn’t waste a single second making the decision to accept that deal.