Vikings are considering bold trade for a talented young quarterback

As the Minnesota Vikings approach the last phase of their assessment of the class of 2024 draft picks, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan seems to be gaining traction in the state of Minnesota.

Although general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell did not visit Michigan’s pro day, ESPN insider Matt Miller said on March 23 that the Vikings, having attended McCarthy’s pro day, “will be aggressive in trading up” inside the first five choices to grab McCarthy.

“Quartersbacks coach Josh McCown was firmly planted right behind McCarthy during his 25-minute throwing session, but the Vikings did not send Adofo-Mensah or coach Kevin O’Connell to the Michigan pro day Friday,” Miller reported. “It seems like the Vikings will continue to be proactive in moving up to the No. 4 or No. 5 place in order to acquire the Michigan quarterback, based on conversations I had with NFL personnel this week while traveling for pro days. McCarthy is currently a top-six pick, according to a general manager I spoke with this week. It remains to be seen who will move up to acquire him.

Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell planned a private workout with the national champion quarterback for next week, but they were unable to attend McCarthy’s pro day.

The Vikings plan to implement this strategy with multiple of the top quarterbacks in the draft, according to Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling, in order to customize an exercise regimen that more closely aligns with the team’s evaluation criteria.

My understanding is, the Vikings will opt for private workouts with a lot of these QBs. Gives them more opportunities to structure workouts based on what they want to evaluate. https://t.co/Z9QNN7X3NI

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 22, 2024

Vikings should try to acquire McCarthy by trading with the Patriots for the third overall pick.

Trading up with the Arizona Cardinals (No. 4) or the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) makes sense if McCarthy is the Vikings’ clear top pick.

However, the Vikings should keep their options open since they are still in the evaluation phase more than a month before the draft.

It’s a worthwhile endeavor to not have to be at the mercy of what the New England Patriots may do, even though they will drive a hard bargain for the third overall pick because they have more pressing needs at quarterback.

Although the Patriots possess the necessary power, they can only exert so much pressure before the Vikings back out of a trade and select the player who goes beyond the third pick if they believe their roster is not prepared to back up a rookie quarterback.

The Vikings would then be able to take a shot at either Jayden Daniels of LSU, Drake Maye of North Carolina, or J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote in addition to Miller’s report, “sending an offer to the Patriots for the No. 3 pick should certainly be the first plan of attack for Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.”

“The Chargers’ selection at No. 5 seems like an apparent fit to make a trade if the team is unable to pull it off. The fact that the Vikings now have options is the true brilliance of the trade they made for No. 23. They now have two first-round picks, which increases their chances of obtaining a quarterback who isn’t among the top choices, even if they are unable to complete a trade up the board. Bo Nix of Oregon or Michael Penix Jr. of Washington might be a suitable substitute at No. 23, as well as later if Minnesota decides to move back from that position.

Pro Day for J.J. McCarthy at Michigan Attracts Record Crowd 

More than 150 NFL executives attended Michigan’s pro day because of its record 18 prospects, led by McCarthy.

The 21-year-old quarterback created an exercise program to address the issues that remain with his evaluation, which have much to do with his ability to throw with rhythm and make contact with the ball.

McCarthy reportedly told The Athletic, “I just wanted to showcase the questions they had about out-breakers to the left and putting some air on the deep posts, stuff like that.” “I thought I had done that today. I feel rather secure in the performance I put on.