On April 2, Dator noted, “The No. 5 pick feels like a pivot point in the class.”

Thus far, it has been assumed that Minnesota would select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their choice, provided that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye are declared ineligible. But let’s pretend for a moment that the NFL Draft is a complete mess. More appropriately, suppose Jim Harbaugh goes with chaos.

Vikings obtain:

— Justin Herbert

Chargers receive:

— Jordan A. Addison
— First-round pick (2024; overall No. 11)
— First-round selection (2024; overall No. 23)

Datore refutes the notion that McCarthy, the former protégé of Harbaugh, whom the Vikings have been closely associated with, would choose to start again.

Dator advises the Vikings to make a trade rather than take a chance on a rookie during a crucial season.

Regarding the Chargers trading Herbert, Dator wrote, “This is one of those ideas that seems utterly preposterous, and then you keep thinking about it, only to find it making more and more sense.” “To put it plainly: They’re losing.”

After Herbert missed the last four games due to surgery on his index finger, the Chargers finished the previous season with a 5-12 record.

This summer, Los Angeles also allowed its top three players to leave via trade or free agency.

Herbert concluded the previous season with career-low totals of 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on a 65.1% completion percentage. His $262.5 million, five-year contract is still a year away from commencing.

Herbert, the No. 6 overall choice in the 2020 draft, has 17,223 throwing yards over his first four seasons of play, which is a record in NFL history, according to Stathead.

His 114 touchdown throws in his career are second only to Dan Marino, the Hall of Famer.

In 2024, the Chargers might be forced to pay a hideous $129.5 million dead cap hit. Aside from that, which would end such conversations if they ever got on the phone, the Vikings would need to consider their choices.

The Vikings trade rumors are being fueled by Justin Jefferson’s presence.

Dator referred to maintaining Justin Jefferson’s happiness as a “primary concern.” The Vikings, who have indicated that they would like to sign the four-time Pro Bowler to a long-term contract, appear to agree.

Regardless of who is behind center, Jefferson has maintained his confidence in his ability to succeed. Furthermore, it would hurt to lose Addison in this fictitious agreement, as Datore notes. However, the cost of losing the guy at quarterback can be considerably higher.

“Minnesota is stuck in draft purgatory, unable to locate a legitimate franchise quarterback who is also too talented to ruin everything.” Elite quarterback play is the cornerstone of the Vikings attack, so finding a true talent at the position and avoiding risk-taking are essential, Datore noted.

The Vikings have a clock as well. Right now, they have Justin Jefferson, the finest receiver in the NFL, and no one to pass the ball to him. There’s no assurance that someone selected from the draft, such as J.J. McCarthy, would be able to fully realize Jefferson’s potential.

The Vikings lack a proven commodity at the position, which is Herbert, who is 26 years old.

Additionally, he would be four years younger than Kirk Cousins was in 2018 when he signed a free agent contract with the Vikings.