Multiple Insiders Release Fresh JJ McCarthy + Vikings Draft Steam

Moving on from Kirk Cousins while adding Sam Darnold assures that the Minnesota Vikings will be adding another quarterback via the 2024 NFL Draft. But fans are going crazy trying to predict which prospect they can expect to cheer on next season.

From the usual suspects of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy, chances are the Vikings will only have a chance to land one of the top four QB prospects. And even that is a big if, depending on how aggressive other teams, such as the Broncos (12th pick) and Raiders (13th pick), get in their plot to jump ahead of the purple.

That means, if the Vikings are hellbent on landing a QB that can develop into a future, or even immediate starter, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may feel pressured to trade up higher than No. 11. Boasting two first round picks, the Vikings have more draft capital than their peers which will only improve their odds of striking a deal. But for who?

Miller: Minnesota Vikings trade up with Cardinals on draft night

Matt Miller (ESPN) believes that guy is JJ McCarthy and that the Vikings will have to jump up to No. 4 (currently owned by the Cardinals) to get him.

I would be keeping an eye on Minnesota here. I’m projecting the Vikings to move up to get their QB, sending pick Nos. 11 and 23 and an additional 2025 first-rounder to the Cardinals for the No. 4 selection. Kirk Cousins has gone to Atlanta, and Sam Darnold is currently the QB1. Minnesota has to act.

The Vikings’ scheme would be a good fit for McCarthy, given his touch and timing traits from within the pocket, but as a 28-game starter in college, he might benefit from sitting behind Darnold for at least part of his rookie season.

Matt Miller – ESPN

Related: Texans Initiated Trade that Sent No. 23 Overall Pick to Vikings, Not Vice Versa

It could all depend on who gets selected at No. 2 by Washington and if New England is truly open to negotiate at No. 3. Yet, the consensus suggests both Daniels and Maye will be gone before the fourth pick arrives. For the Vikings, this could be the perfect outcome.

Feldman: Vikings ‘very interested’ in J.J. McCarthy

There’s been a lot of smoke suggesting the Vikings are buying in on the 21-year-old Michigan QB, furthering his development into a franchise talent. Now, a top college football insider, namely The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, is passing along a similar report in his latest 2024 NFL mock draft.

Kirk Cousins is off to Atlanta. Kevin O’Connell needs a new quarterback to utilize a talented group of receivers. I hear the Vikings are very interested in McCarthy, who went 27-1 as the Wolverines starter and led Michigan to the national title last year.

Bruce Feldman on Minnesota Vikings’ interest in J.J. McCarthy

Showing interest in McCarthy makes a lot of sense, not just for the Vikings, but for any team in desperate need of a future franchise quarterback. Of the top four QB prospects, McCarthy has the least amount of film to study, which suggests he’s the prospect teams need to evaluate the most.

Related: Vikings QB Interest: Three Private Workouts and One Canceled Meeting

Is his success at Michigan a sign of things to come, or a byproduct of a talented roster coached by Jim Harbaugh playing against lesser competition in the Big Ten? That’s what the pre-draft evaluation process is for. The Vikings feel confident in their core development team led by Kevin O’Connell and new quarterback coach Josh McCown.

These are two coaches who have worked with and analyzed a lot of quarterbacks in their day. Now they just need to identify the player that best fits an offense that can maximize Justin Jefferson’s skillset while keeping in mind the complementary talents of Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

Is J.J. McCarthy the solution for the Minnesota Vikings? There’s only one way to find out.