The Minnesota Vikings could be in the market for a new franchise quarterback this offseason. Veteran Kirk Cousins is set to hit the free agent market this offseason and the Atlanta Falcons have been listed as the odds-on favorites to land him.
Given his age, as Cousins will be 36 when the 2024 season begins and is coming off a torn Achilles, it makes sense the Vikings would at least explore other options at quarterback. However, they don’t have a ready-made replacement on the roster.
Based on the production they received from the position in 2023, Cousins will be sorely missed if the does move on. Minnesota could opt to continue developing Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they look to bring in another prospect this offseason.
NFL News & Rumors: J.J. McCarthy, 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings Updates
Could that prospect be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft? ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid certainly believes so. In his most recent mock draft post the NFL Combine, Reid has the Vikings snagging their new franchise quarterback. With the No. 11 pick, Reid has mocked Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the Vikings.
“We obviously don’t know if free agent Kirk Cousins will return to Minnesota, but McCarthy fits coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme so well. Yes, the passing sample size is limited — he only hit 25 or more passing attempts in 12 of 28 career starts — and his combine workout was inconsistent, but his efficiency at Michigan is noteworthy (72.3% completion rate). The infrastructure in Minnesota — with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson catching passes — is set up well for a young signal-caller to grow, too,” wrote Reid.
The Vikings certainly have a situation in which a young quarterback could find success right away. Justin Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and Jordan Addison had a strong rookie campaign. T.J. Hockenson is a top tight end, giving whoever is under center an elite trio to work with in the passing game.
However, there is a real chance McCarthy doesn’t last until the 11th pick. He is someone whose name has been rising on plenty of boards, as reports out of the NFL Combine suggest he could be moving up the quarterback pecking order.
NFL News & Rumors: J.J. McCarthy, 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings Updates
Reports have surfaced that team evaluators are more high on McCarthy than fans and some analysts. There is a chance that a team sees him as a better prospect than Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, which would push him toward the top five.
How free agency plays out will be important when it comes to McCarthy’s landing spot. The New York Giants at No. 6 could be in play, as could the Falcons at No. 8. Teams could always look to jump up the board, making things risky for the Vikings sitting at No. 11.
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