Kirk Cousins was one of the major pieces on the NFL’s free agent market this offseason. Now, he’s on the move, opening up a world of possibilities for the NFL Draft.

On Monday, it was quickly reported that the Atlanta Falcons were making a move on Cousins. He eventually agreed to a 4-year deal worth up to $180 million, and Cousins himself confirmed he’s in Atlanta as of Wednesday in a heartfelt farewell to Minnesota.

Shortly after the news broke, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky was quick to point to the ramifications for the Vikings in the draft. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings are now in need of a quarterback, putting Minnesota front-and-center as a team that could pull off a draft-day jump.

“Minnesota for me becomes the No. 1 team likely to move up in the draft. It is time for them to go,” said Orlovsky. “If you weren’t going to keep Kirk because you weren’t going to invest in him… they become the team that I sit there and go no matter what, you have to move up in the draft and potentially go get a player like Drake Maye.”

Minnesota has reportedly signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal, but that kind of move is more than likely for insurance to go with a young piece in the draft.

Minnesota’s positioning

As things stand, the Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. ESPN Bet still gives overwhelming odds to Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick, even as Justin Fields is still on Chicago’s roster.

Beyond the first pick, the Washington Commanders are expected to select their favorite quarterback still available, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels has moved into the odds to be the No. 2 pick in the draft. Sports bettors can utilize Tradition’s Ohio sports betting apps to track all the odds and get in on the action ahead of the draft in April.

After the Commanders, things begin to get interesting with the plans of the New England Patriots more unclear. The Patriots could take a QB at No. 3 or investigate a trade back.

As for the Vikings, they are currently slated to pick No. 11 overall. With Drake Maye, Daniels and Williams widely regarded as the top 3 QBs, that trio is all but guaranteed to be gone before Minnesota’s pick.

We’ll see if the departure of Cousins spurs the franchise to get aggressive in the NFL Draft in pursuit of 1 of the top 3 QBs or Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. For now, Cousins is one of the big winners from free agency, but Minnesota faces increased questions coming off a 7-10 record a season ago.