ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. sees quite a few trades shaking up the first and second rounds of the draft later this month, including a big one early by the Minnesota Vikings. In Kiper’s latest mock, the Commanders select Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick, then the Patriots take Drake Maye of UNC, the Cardinals take Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4, and then the Vikings trade up to five for former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy.
The Minnesota Vikings are in need of a new franchise quarterback after the departure of Kirk Cousins. They picked up Sam Darnold in free agency, but many predict they’ll go for a younger QB in the draft. Kiper explained his decision to go with the Vikings trade and why he believes they’ll go with McCarthy on his show this week.
“At this point in the process, based on everything I’ve heard, I don’t think the Vikings can afford to wait until No. 11 if they want one of the top four quarterbacks,” Kiper said. “They’re going to have to trade up. Are they giving up too much? It’s certainly possible. But if they believe McCarthy can be their long-term Kirk Cousins replacement, shouldn’t they be OK with sending out their 2025 first-rounder?”
Kiper’s logic is sound. If the Vikings want one of the top four quarterbacks, and they can’t trade into the top four, then swapping with the Chargers seems like the optimal move. The New York Giants, who have the No. 6 pick in the draft, have been showing first-round quarterbacks a lot of attention. They could be a threat to the Vikings’ hopes of landing McCarthy.
Vikings do their due diligence on McCarthy
The Vikings haven’t brought in a quarterback for a top-30 visit, but they have been doing their homework regardless. They had a private workout with McCarthy following his Pro Day in Ann Arbor. The deadline for teams to bring prospects into their own facilities before the draft is on April 17. After that deadline, teams can still meet with the potential draftees elsewhere until April 24, the day before the draft.
A two-year starter at Michigan, McCarthy led the Wolverines to a 28-1 record in 2022 and 2023. During that time, the Wolverines won the Big Ten twice and a national championship. During his three-year college career, McCarthy completed 67.6 percent of passes for 6,226 yards and 49 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
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