With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, rumors suggest the Minnesota Vikings are interested in drafting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy after losing veteran starter Kirk Cousins. Speculation is that the Vikings may trade up in the draft to secure McCarthy, who led Michigan to a national title under Jim Harbaugh’s coaching. The Vikings currently have the No. 11 overall pick and acquired a second first-round selection from the Houston Texans, leading to further speculation about their intentions to draft a quarterback.
Several mock draft projections indicate that the Vikings are likely to target McCarthy in the upcoming draft. FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman has projected the Vikings trading up with the Arizona Cardinals to take McCarthy at No. 4 overall. McCarthy is praised for his athleticism, playmaking ability, and leadership qualities. Harbaugh, now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers, has also spoken highly of his former quarterback. Odds at FanDuel Sportsbook heavily favor the Vikings as the next team to draft McCarthy, with other potential landing spots including the New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders.
Other FOX Sports personalities, including Joel Klatt, Colin Cowherd, Nick Wright, and Jason McIntyre, have also projected McCarthy to the Vikings in their mock drafts. Klatt and Cowherd foresee potential trade scenarios for the Vikings to secure McCarthy at No. 5 overall, with Klatt mentioning a trade with Harbaugh’s Chargers. McIntyre has the Vikings selecting McCarthy at their current No. 11 pick, acknowledging that a trade may be necessary to acquire him. Wright envisions the Vikings trading up to No. 3 with the Patriots to select McCarthy, allowing the Las Vegas Raiders to draft another top quarterback prospect.
In addition to pursuing McCarthy in the draft, the Vikings have signed veteran quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year contract following Cousins’ departure. Darnold could potentially serve as the Week 1 starter while a future franchise quarterback like McCarthy develops. The potential addition of McCarthy to the Vikings roster would bring a new dynamic to the team’s offense and provide a long-term solution at the quarterback position. With multiple mock drafts and rumors pointing to McCarthy joining the Vikings, fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the upcoming NFL Draft.
As the draft approaches, the Vikings are generating significant buzz for their potential move to secure McCarthy. With the departure of Kirk Cousins and the acquisition of additional first-round picks, the team appears to be positioning itself to draft a quarterback. McCarthy’s impressive skill set, combined with endorsements from former coach Jim Harbaugh, make him an appealing prospect for the Vikings. While other teams are also rumored to be interested in McCarthy, the Vikings are currently the front-runners according to betting odds and mock draft projections. The outcome of the 2024 NFL Draft will determine whether the Vikings are successful in acquiring McCarthy and securing their future at the quarterback position.
