Vikings could be in line for multiple Compensatory Picks in 2019

The Compensatory Picks for the 2018 NFL Draft have already been dispersed, but the folks from Over the Cap are already looking at the potential for teams to receive extra selections in the 2019 NFL Draft. They’re projecting which teams have the best chances of receiving Compensatory picks next year, and the Minnesota Vikings appear to have a very good chance of receiving multiple picks. . .and perhaps some very high level ones.

Has there ever been a team that has three (albeit debated) starting caliber QBs hitting the market at once? That’s what the Vikings have on hand with Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater. Even if the Vikings retain one of them or sign another veteran QB that would cancel out the loss of one of them, the other two could yield high compensatory picks for 2019 even if they’re on backup deals. Jerick McKinnon is also another CFA candidate for the Vikings as they’ll have Dalvin Cook coming off IR and Latavius Murray still under contract. With the Vikings in a much better position now to hold off on signing CFAs from other teams, they could be in a great position to reap the benefits.

Nobody knows for sure exactly how the Compensatory Pick formula works, outside of the league offices. But, as the OTC article says, if the Vikings were to sign an outside free agent quarterback. . .like, I don’t know, Kirk Cousins maybe. . .then he would likely cancel out any higher pick that Keenum would bring for signing with another team. Even with that, however, they could also get high picks from the loss of Sam Bradford or Teddy Bridgewater, even if they signed for low-end starter or high-end backup salaries elsewhere.

According to OTC, the Vikings have five of the top 100 free agents available this year. All three of the quarterbacks are there, as well as running back Jerick McKinnon (who is expected to move on to another team) and cornerback Terence Newman (who will likely be in Minnesota if he plays anywhere). Outside of the quarterback situation, I’m not sure just how active the Vikings are going to be in free agency this year, as they don’t really have a lot of holes to fill. If they’re not active, they could net at least one third-round choice in 2019, and possibly two.

I know that we’re a long way off from this at this point in time, but at least it gives us something to talk about that isn’t the quarterback position.