Clear path for Vikings to draft a top QB in 2024 was just established

After they were able to acquire an additional first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft in a trade with the Houston Texans last week, the speculation about the Minnesota Vikings trading up for one of the top quarterback prospects in April has massively increased.

Most now assume that the Vikings will be using both of their 2024 opening round selections (picks No. 11 and No. 23) to complete a deal that results in them adding one of the top-four passing prospects in this year's draft.

Figuring out who Minnesota might make a trade with to move up in the first round is something that may are still attempting to accomplish. Recently, however, a door was opened by a team with one of the top-four picks that could result in the Vikings getting the quarterback prospect they have their eyes on.

Minnesota Vikings trade with Arizona Cardinals in 2024 NFL Draft just became very realistic

During a press conference on Wednesday, Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort revealed something that should get Minnesota fans even more excited about this year's NFL Draft.

With the Cardinals currently in possession of the fourth overall selection in the first round, Ossenfort said the following when talking about the possibility of trading back to acquire more picks in April's draft.

"There will be a big neon sign that says 'open' and I don't like it blinking, it messes with my eyes, but we're always going to be listening.

I think we'll always have the conversation, we may not get to a point where a deal makes sense, whether it's at [pick No. 4] or anywhere we're picking, but we're always going to have the conversation and if it makes sense, if it's attractive to building our team, then it's something that we'll certainly consider no matter where we're at in the draft."

Arizona is coming off of a 2023 season in which they finished with a 4-13 record in their first year with Jonathan Gannon as the team's head coach. The Cardinals would like to hope they're heading in the right direction, but they know they still have quite a ways to go before they ever return to contending at the top of the NFC.

With this in mind, it makes sense that Ossenfort is open to listening to trade offers for the No. 4 pick in this year's NFL Draft. The fourth overall selection would be a great pick for the Vikings to acquire in their mission to land one of the top 2024 quarterback prospects, so one can imagine that Minnesota is going to be among the teams calling Arizona about making a trade for their top draft selection.

What might it take for the Vikings to acquire the No. 4 pick from the Cardinals?

Well, according to the 2024 version of the Rich Hill trade value chart, Minnesota offering their two first-round selections should be more than enough for them to land the fourth-overall pick from Arizona.

However, with the Cardinals knowing their pick is a prime spot for teams to trade up for a quarterback, their asking price could be a little steeper than what the Rich Hill trade value chart says it would take to acquire the selection.

It wouldn't be surprising at all if the winning offer that Arizona accepts also includes a first-round pick in 2025. If that is something the Vikings are willing to include in a trade to potentially draft their next franchise quarterback, then making a deal with the Cardinals is a no-brainer.