(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
While most analysts are expecting the Minnesota Vikings to trade up in the draft for a quarterback, one former NFL general manager is expecting them to go a different route and land Kyler Murray.

In his mock draft posted on Tuesday, ESPN‘s Mike Tannenbaum projected the Vikings will trade the No. 11 pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Kyler Murray and the 66th pick in the 2024 draft.

In his scenario, the Cardinals would replace Kyler Murray by using the fourth pick to take former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy
“So here’s my proposition to clear some cap space for the Cards, officially start the McCarthy era in Arizona, and fix the Vikings’ QB issue. In my mind, the No. 11 pick for Murray straight up is too rich, and No. 23—Minnesota’s other first-rounder—on its own is not enough. So I’m attaching that third-rounder to the No. 11 pick to level this out. It’s similar to what the Cardinals did during the 2022 draft when they traded their first-round pick (No. 23) to Baltimore for receiver Marquise Brown and a third-rounder.”

Tannenbaum doubled down on his take on social media with a post about why the Cardinals should draft McCarthy and trade Kyler Murray.

Not many accepted his proposition and cited the mock draft and mock trade as evidence for why Tannenbaum is a former NFL GM.

In the introduction, Mike Tannenbaum makes it clear that his mock is intended to represent what he would do if he were in charge of the draft for each team, rather than what he predicts will happen based on what teams are indicating they would do.

That’s actually frightening and explains further why he would never be in that position ever again.

Kyler Murray Looking To Return to Form After Limited Play In 2023 Due to ACL Recovery

Kyler Murray tore his ACL on Dec. 12, which ended his season and left him sidelined to begin the 2023 season.

Murray posted a 3-5 record last season behind 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns to five interceptions on 65.6% passing. He also racked up 244 yards and three scores on 44 carries.

Murray received $29.9 million fully guaranteed for the 2025 season from the Arizona Cardinals by being on the team’s roster this month. The guaranteed money is in addition to the $35.3 million he will receive this season.