NFL insider updates if Vikings could trade WR Justin Jefferson during draft

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated continues to believe that star wide receiver Justin Jefferson “will be on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster for the foreseeable future” even after quarterback Kirk Cousins left the club to sign with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.

“Minnesota’s built its offense over the past few years where they’d go into this season capable of supporting a rookie quarterback,” Breer said for a mailbag published on Wednesday. “The Vikings have an offensive line anchored by tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, and have skill-position talent such as Jefferson, (wide receiver) Jordan Addison, (tight end) T.J. Hockenson and (running back) Aaron Jones, who they signed in free agency.”

Breer also praised Minnesota’s “solid quarterbacking infrastructure” that includes head coach Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. Heading into the draft, veteran Sam Darnold is atop Minnesota’s depth chart at the sport’s most important position.

Breer is among those who have repeatedly poured cold water over the idea that the Vikings could trade Jefferson before or during the draft that gets underway on April 25.

While Jefferson is in the final year of his rookie contract and is probably looking to become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at some point before Week 1, team owner Mark Wilf said in late March that the Vikings were “going to do our best to keep” the 24-year-old happy and with the organization.

Wilf noted at that time that Jefferson has built a reputation for being “a great player,” “a great leader of our locker room” and also “great in the community.”

As for how Minnesota may acquire a long-term replacement for Cousins, it’s widely believed that the Vikings will take a big swing at moving up in the draft order with a signal-caller in mind.

In a mock draft updated on Wednesday, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN predicted that the Vikings will complete a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Chargers that will allow Minnesota to select Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the fifth overall pick.

“So where’s the number for Jefferson? It’s sky high, for sure, and more than $30M per year,” Breer added. “It’s going to be a challenge to get a deal done, but one I think the Vikings dive headlong into after the draft, with the goal of making sure Jefferson is on the roster for a long time to come.”

Of course, Jefferson could always bet on himself and make it known he won’t sign any deal offered by Minnesota in an attempt to force his way to a team that has an established QB1. That’d be quite a risky move for a receiver who wants to “break the bank” but who missed seven games last season because of a hamstring injury.

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