The Vikings are “best positioned” to move up in the 2024 NFL draft to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but they may have to leap over the New York Giants at No. 6 in order to do so, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Vikings have the Nos. 11 and 23 picks in the first round of the draft, the latter of which they acquired from the Houston Texans in mid-March. Since then, speculation has swirled that the Vikings intend to move into the top 5 of the draft to select one of the top QBs, particularly with longtime starter Kirk Cousins departing in free agency.
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams appears to be a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears. After that, it’s anyone’s best guess. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and McCarthy have all been rumored to be in the mix to go No. 2 to the Washington Commanders.
The New England Patriots at No. 3 have been rumored to have interest in Maye and Daniels. The Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 appear content with Kyler Murray at QB and have been projected in most mock drafts to take Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 have Justin Herbert and don’t need a QB.
Most of the rumors surrounding the Vikings have had them moving up to select either Maye or McCarthy. The Patriots at No. 3 have other needs on the roster, and it seems they could potentially be moved off that pick for the right price. But it would appear the most likely scenario is the Vikings getting to No. 4 or No. 5 to select McCarthy.
“The Vikings are best positioned to move up for J.J. McCarthy. Now, they could sit there, they could sit there at (No.) 11 and see if somehow, some way, he makes it to them,” Schefter said on ESPN.
Schefter's full spot on JJ's landing spot. Found this notable "The Giants say they have other needs, but their actions tell another story. They've put in a lot of work in QBs" pic.twitter.com/qT6qEwQuuq
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 16, 2024
But that’s where things get interesting. If Schefter’s intel is correct, there’s no ‘somehow, some way’ that McCarthy will fall as far as No. 11. The Giants have reportedly done their homework on the QBs from this draft, and could take McCarthy at No. 6 with some uncertainty surrounding the future of current starter Daniel Jones.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are another team that’s been heavily rumored to be considering moving up in the draft for one of the top quarterback prospects.
“If they don’t want to risk (losing out on McCarthy), and they don’t want to get jumped by another team behind them for J.J. McCarthy, they’re gonna have to then trade up to (No.) 4, Arizona, (No.) 5, Los Angeles, or another team, maybe again, before the Giants have their pick at (No.) 6,” Schefter said. “And the Giants have done a private workout with J.J. McCarthy, have had him to New York to visit with him and have dinner with him, they’ve spend a lot of time with him.
“They say that they have other needs, but their actions tell you another story because they’ve put an awful lot of work into quarterbacks.”
We’ll know for sure when the first round of the draft kicks off on April 25.
