The Minnesota Vikings could use another quarterback after Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and some around the NFL reportedly believe North Carolina's Drake Maye is an ideal candidate.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday that "multiple evaluators pointed out Minnesota is the perfect place for Maye in that regard, should the Vikings move up to get him. Scouts noted he's smart, relaxed and even witty in interviews."

Minnesota is almost assuredly going to need to trade up if it wants to land Maye, as B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected him as the No. 1 overall pick in its latest mock draft. Even if the Chicago Bears end up taking USC's Caleb Williams with that choice, though, the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots would be candidates to choose Maye and Nos. 2 and 3.

For now, the Vikings have the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks in the first round, but they could, in theory, package them to move up if they like Maye.

Maye completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2023, which came after he was the 2022 ACC Offensive Player of the Year who completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He can also make plays with his legs and ran for a combined 1,147 yards and 16 touchdowns during those two seasons.

It is not difficult to see why the Vikings would be an ideal landing spot for a dual-threat playmaker like Maye.

Having three different game-changing targets in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson means opposing defenses will always have to single cover at least one of them on any given play. They also have to worry about Aaron Jones in the backfield and may need to commit an extra safety in the box to slow the rushing attack.

Maye can look for the ideal matchups and even take off on his own if all those options are covered.

It would be a better situation than many top quarterbacks find themselves in during their rookie campaigns, but the Vikings likely need to complete a trade first if they want to make it happen.