In Minneapolis, the offseason quarterback battle in the AFC is quietly shaping up to be good news for the Minnesota Vikings. Former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who completed the 2024 season with the Vikings after being released, has signed with the Indianapolis Colts this spring. He is now competing for the QB1 position against former top pick Anthony Richardson.
This competition could play a significant role in the Vikings’ plans for the 2026 NFL Draft. If Jones manages to meet a certain threshold of playing snaps in 2025, it could potentially earn the Vikings a fourth-round compensatory draft pick. Conversely, if he falls below that threshold, the pick could drop to the fifth round or lower, depending on the situation.
Recent reports indicate that Jones has had a strong offseason with the Colts, giving him an edge in the supposed open competition with Richardson. Richardson has been sidelined due to a re-injury of his AC joint in his throwing shoulder, which further complicates his comeback as he has had issues with injuries and accuracy over the last couple of years.
For those who may not know, compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lose more players in free agency than they sign. The selection process is calculated using a complicated formula that takes into account the contracts of departed players and their playing time. According to projections, the Vikings are expected to receive a variety of compensatory picks next year, thanks to the departures of players like Sam Darnold and potentially Jones.
The Vikings could end up with a total of nine draft selections, counting their six regular picks and additional compensatory ones. This year, they could be positioned to receive the most valuable compensatory pick of any team, which is a promising outlook for their future.
As the 2026 draft approaches, the Vikings’ front office, led by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, is carefully considering these factors in their roster-building strategy. Their recent free-agent signings of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave don’t affect compensatory pick calculations, but Jones’ late-season move last year has the potential to yield benefits down the line.
This quarterback battle in Indianapolis will certainly be one to watch as it might influence how the Vikings approach the draft and their future roster decisions. With all these dynamics at play, Vikings fans can stay optimistic about the team’s draft strategy and player acquisitions.
