Leading into the 2024 NFL Draft, many people knew the Minnesota Vikings were trying to move into the top five, but Minnesota reportedly wasn’t a quarterback as many expected.
The Vikings – who were linked to several QB prospects predraft – actually wanted to move up to draft LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers in a move that would’ve resulted in Minnesota trading All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press.
The Vikings tried to acquire the No. 5 pick from the Los Angeles Chargers to land Nabers just ahead of the New York Giants, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on draft day. The Chargers ultimately kept the pick and chose offensive lineman Joe Alt.
The Giants ended up drafting Nabers with the 6th overall pick, making him the second wide receiver taken off the board while the Vikings moved up one spot from 11 to 10 and selected J.J. McCarthy.
As for Jefferson and the Vikings, the two sides are still talking but haven’t made any significant progress on a new contract, ESPN’s Jermey Fowler reports.
Jefferson has remained away from the team.
