The Minnesota Vikings are nearing the end of their assessment of the class of 2024 draft picks, and it seems that Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is making progress in Minnesota.
Despite general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell missing Michigan’s pro day, ESPN source Matt Miller revealed on March 23 that the Vikings, having attended McCarthy’s pro day, “will be aggressive in trading up” inside the first five choices to grab McCarthy.
“During McCarthy’s 25-minute throwing session, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown was firmly planted right behind him. The Vikings did not send Adofo-Mensah or coach Kevin O’Connell to the Michigan pro day on Friday,” Miller wrote. “While traveling for pro days this week, I spoke with NFL personnel, and they told me that the Vikings will continue to be proactive in moving up to the No. 4 or No. 5 spot in order to acquire the Michigan quarterback. This week, I spoke with a general manager who told me that McCarthy is currently a top-six pick. Who will trade up to get him is the question.
Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell planned a private workout with the national champion quarterback for next week, but they were unable to attend McCarthy’s pro day.
According to Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling, the Vikings plan to implement this strategy with many quarterbacks selected in the draft to customize an exercise regimen that more closely aligns with their evaluation criteria.
Trading up with the Arizona Cardinals (No. 4) or the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) makes sense if McCarthy is the Vikings’ clear top pick.
However, the Vikings should keep their options open since they are still in the evaluation phase more than a month before the draft.
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