Vikings trade back into first round for QB in latest mock draft

The Vikings have major questions at quarterback after watching Kirk Cousins take his services to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. 

Minnesota did sign QB Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract on Tuesday, but CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso doesn't think the team is done adding to the room.

In Trapasso's latest mock draft, he has the Vikings landing two players in the first round, one of whom could be their next franchise quarterback.

Minnesota currently owns the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But Trapasso believes it will strike a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move back to pick No. 17. With that selection, the Vikings will draft Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II.

"Murphy is a twitched-up interior rusher Brian Flores will love to add to the middle of his defense," Trapasso writes.

Murphy II could be a steal at pick No. 17. He currently ranks as the best interior defender and No. 9 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board after posting 68 tackles and eight sacks from 2021-23.

However, Trapasso believes Vikings fans should keep an eye on the end of the first round. 

After gaining some extra draft capital from trading down, he thinks Minnesota could look to trade back into round one with the San Francisco 49ers. With pick No. 31, Minnesota then lands Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

"The Vikings trade No. 42 overall, No. 108 overall (fourth round) and a 2025 third-round pick to jump from No. 42 to get their quarterback and that coveted fifth-year option," Trapasso writes.

Penix Jr. is an intriguing option after throwing for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions from 2022-23, but he does come with some risk. He suffered several injuries to begin his collegiate career, tearing his ACL twice during his time at Indiana (2018-20).

If the Vikings feel good about his medicals, they could get one of the draft's biggest steals while adding a key piece to their defensive line for years to come.