Heading into the offseason, uncertainty loomed over the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation for the start of the 2024 NFL season. However, with Kirk Cousins opting to join the Atlanta Falcons, the fog has begun to lift.
With a void to fill at quarterback, many anticipate the Vikings turning to the NFL Draft for a solution. Despite Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye being the consensus top three picks, the Vikings find themselves exploring alternative options.
Recent reports suggest that the Vikings have set their sights on Michigan standout JJ McCarthy as a potential draft target. This speculation gains weight as the team has scheduled a private workout with McCarthy for the upcoming week.
Further backing this notion are the latest betting odds on which team will secure the national champion.
Presently, the Vikings stand as -115 favorites to acquire McCarthy. Translating these odds into implied probability yields a 53.49% chance of McCarthy landing in Minnesota. Bettors would need to stake $115 to potentially profit $100 from this outcome.
Among the other teams in contention for McCarthy, the New York Giants (+350), Denver Broncos (+430), and New England Patriots (+900) are notable contenders. However, the Vikings, positioned with the No. 11 overall pick, might need to trade up to secure McCarthy’s services. This becomes especially crucial considering other quarterback-needy teams like the New York Giants, holding the No. 6 pick, are also in the mix.
According to NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, a hypothetical trade scenario sees the Vikings exchanging picks with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire the No. 4 overall pick for JJ McCarthy. Such a move would likely involve relinquishing both their 11th and 23rd overall selections to secure their desired quarterback.
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