With two first-round picks and plenty of speculation about a trade up in the draft, the Vikings are showing serious interest in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
In a long-form article about Kirk Cousins’ decision to go to Atlanta, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported the Vikings are sending a crew of evaluators to Michigan this Friday for the QB’s pro day.
“[The Vikings] also had plans in motion for quarterbacks coaches Josh McCown and Grant Udinski to be in Ann Arbor for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy’s pro day this Friday. Minnesota also arranged a private workout on campus with McCarthy for next week, with O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah set to make that trip,” wrote Breer.
After Minnesota acquired the No. 23 overall pick from the Texans Friday, speculation ramped up about the possibility of the Vikings trading into the top three or four for a quarterback. McCarthy, as well as North Carolina’s Drake Maye, were heavily linked with Minnesota over the weekend.
In an undefeated season at Michigan, McCarthy threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. There are numerous questions about McCarthy with some draft experts wondering about his arm talent and whether he could win games by throwing.
Maye’s pro day takes place March 28. While no information has been reported about a potential Vikings presence at the event it’s probably safe to assume a contingent of Vikings coaches and front office personnel will be there.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told KFAN radio Monday morning the team has a “preferred scenario” for the draft but “everything’s on the table.”
