With the departure of Kirk Cousins signaling the end of an era for the Minnesota Vikings, the team is pivoting towards a new direction at the quarterback position, eyeing the potential addition of a young talent to lead the franchise forward.
Sam Darnold, a seasoned newcomer, is poised to take the reins as the starting quarterback for Week 1, having recently inked a one-year contract with the Vikings worth up to $10 million.
Given Darnold’s status as a short-term solution, the Vikings’ strategy of drafting a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft appears prudent. However, securing a top-tier prospect on April 25 will likely necessitate a trade to acquire a better draft position.
Currently positioned at No. 11 overall, the Vikings face a challenge in obtaining elite quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Nonetheless, they may have a shot at selecting J.J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan.
Yet, McCarthy’s draft stock has surged recently, raising the possibility of him being selected much earlier than expected. Despite this, the Vikings have demonstrated interest in him by conducting a private workout, as reported by Albert Breer of MMQB via @vikesinsider on Twitter.
The Vikings arranged a private workout with QB J.J. McCarthy, which HC Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will attend.
Source: @AlbertBreer pic.twitter.com/8ZrhpaigD1
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) March 18, 2024
As of the current moment, it appears that the draft order has solidified regarding the top three quarterbacks being selected within the first three picks. The Chicago Bears are widely expected to choose Williams, while the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are likely to follow suit by selecting Maye and Daniels in succession.
Given this scenario, McCarthy is poised to be the fourth quarterback chosen in the draft, which presents a challenge for the Vikings as they contemplate how to maneuver and secure their desired pick.
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