Vikings land a Big Ten QB in latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft

The Minnesota Vikings are close to admitting defeat on the J.J. McCarthy era, with the 2024 first-round pick set expected to battle for the QB1 spot with Kyler Murray when training camp begins later this month. However, the general consensus from beat reporters who have covered the offseason practices has been that Murray appears to have the upper hand in the competition.

Even if Murray wins the job and plays well in 2026, there is no guarantee he will be back in Minnesota next year. He signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal in March that featured a no-tag clause, meaning the Vikings can't place the franchise tag on him to retain his rights.

That could mean Minnesota is once again searching for a quarterback in next year's draft, whether or not the season plays out well. Paul M. Banks from Giants Wire is among those who believes the Vikings will take a swing on one of the quarterbacks in next year's class, which could have as many as six signal-callers go in the first round.

Banks has Minnesota taking Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin with the 13th overall pick, writing, "The Vikings may be ready to give up [and move on] from JJ McCarthy sooner than you think. #JustSayin".

Sayin is coming off a fantastic 2025 campaign in which he completed 301-of-392 passes for 3,610 yards (9.2 YPA), 32 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He is smaller in stature, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 208 pounds, which could force him to slide down the board.

However, there is still plenty of hype surrounding Sayin. He is currently ranked No. 2 on PFF's 2027 Big Board. Another season like 2025 could solidify him in the top five, which would mean the Vikings would have to either trade up (assuming they finish with the 13th pick) or fans would have to hope the team "tanks" for a quarterback of Sayin's caliber.

The quarterback competition is the main storyline heading into Vikings training camp later this month. Yet the team may not have its long-term answer at the position until next year's draft. Sayin could finally fit the mold of the franchise quarterback this team has sought for decades.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings land a Big Ten QB in latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft