The Minnesota Vikings will still have the chance to select a quarterback in the draft even while they consider their options with Kirk Cousins.
J.J. McCarthy of Michigan seems pretty receptive to the notion, should they draft one. McCarthy expressed gratitude for his visit with head coach Kevin O’Connell and new quarterbacks coach Josh McCown of the Vikings.
McCarthy told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1 that “it went amazing.”
“Coach O’Connell oversaw everything, and even just seeing him in person made me realize how much taller he was than I had previously believed. And everything Coach McCown and the others discussed, including the qualities they were looking for in a quarterback, is exactly what I’m looking for. It was incredibly wonderful and enjoyable to be able to go on the board with them and watch them perform their performances.
In 2023, McCarthy led his team to a National Championship triumph by completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns with four interceptions.
His expected landing spot ranges from the No. 11 overall Vikings pick to the No. 7 overall pick and the Raiders of Las Vegas. He’s from La Grange, Illinois, and he knows the NFC North well.
The 21-year-old may get right to work. However, it might be to his advantage to sit behind Cousins.
McCarthy also referred to his former Michigan coaches as “amazing.” Later on, though, he gushed about Justin Jefferson of the Vikings.
To Justin Jefferson of the Vikings, J.J. McCarthy wants to throwÂ
McCarthy did not stop praising the Vikings when he was doing the rounds with the media at the combine. When Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports asked him to choose the top three players at the position he would like to throw to, he likewise mentioned Jefferson first.
He also mentioned Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks and Davante Adams of the Raiders.
McCarthy told Rick Spielman, the former general manager of the Vikings and co-host of Wilson’s show, that Jefferson was a “amazing” decision when he was informed of it.
Jefferson is coming off a season that was cut short due to injuries and characterized by subpar quarterback play. Despite this, the three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro managed to record his fourth consecutive season with 1000 yards since joining the league.
Additionally, Jefferson plans to exercise his fifth-year option.
Drew Brees and J.J. McCarthy in comparisonÂ
Jefferson has made it clear that he would like Cousins back, and he is poised to reset the market on his next contract. However, he added that he would remain the same player in any case.
Some people in the company are considering putting him up against Jayden Daniels, another LSU alum.
On February 10, ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted, “Minnesota knows it eventually has to address the quarterback position long term.” “Some in the organization find appeal in the idea of bringing in Daniels to partner with their star LSU alum wideout Justin Jefferson.”
McCarthy’s processing speed has been compared to that of former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl player Drew Brees, so maybe they would “settle” for him.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein reported on February 5 that “NFL evaluators have described McCarthy’s processing as “exceptional” in my conversations with them.” “McCarthy has greater physical ability than Drew Brees, but Brees was a better processor.”
