Vikings fans hoping that the NFL’s investigation into the alleged tampering involving the Atlanta Falcons’ pursuit of Kirk Cousins would yield Minnesota a pick swap this year will be disheartened to learn from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that no such outcome is expected.
After ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that the league’s investigation results could be announced this week, Pelissero has learned that the league will not be done with its investigation before the draft begins Thursday night, meaning 2024 pick swaps or forfeitures are not on the table as penalties. At least not this year.
From the NFL on possible tampering by the #Eagles and #Falcons: The league’s review into both matters is ongoing and will not conclude this week.
So, no resolution before the draft and 2024 picks involved in any discipline.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 23, 2024
Pick swaps aren’t common but one such case did happen last year when the league found the Arizona Cardinals to have violated tampering rules en route to hiring Jonathan Gannon from the Eagles. The penalty was Arizona giving Philly its third-round pick, No. 66 overall and receiving Philly’s third-round (No. 94 overall).
Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen stoked some rumors Monday when he wondered aloud on his radio show in the Twin Cities if the league could give the Vikings Atlanta’s second-round pick, or perhaps even do something unprecedented by making Atlanta swap first-round picks with Minnesota, giving up No. 8 in exchange for No. 23.
The Vikings have two first-round picks this year, Nos. 11 and 23, and that’s where they’ll stay barring any trade up or down the board on Thursday night.
