NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: ‘Considerable Buzz’ Vikings Trade into Top 5 for McCarthy, QB

Adam WellsMarch 16, 2024

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After acquiring a second first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings seem poised to make another move to ensure they can land a quarterback.

Per ESPN’s Matt Miller, there is “considerable buzz” about the Vikings looking to trade into the top five to select J.J. McCarthy or potentially one of Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels if either gets past the New England Patriots at No. 3.

The Vikings acquired two picks from the Houston Texans, including at No. 23 overall, in exchange for two picks in this year’s draft and a 2025 second-rounder.

Minnesota Vikings @VikingsMoving up ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/62MeDgCOoz

Minnesota now owns picks at 11 and 23 overall with a big question at quarterback. Kirk Cousins left as a free agent to sign with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Vikings did add Sam Darnold on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pushed back on the notion that Darnold is a “bridge” quarterback, but there certainly seems to be a plan in place for the front office to allow him to start if they don’t feel a rookie is ready to go when the regular season begins.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said on Friday there is a “STRONG” expectation around the league that four of the top six picks in the draft will be quarterbacks.

Conventional wisdom has Caleb Williams, Maye and Daniels as the top three picks to the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and Patriots, respectively.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted coming out of the NFL scouting combine that McCarthy has a lot of support from front offices around the league and could hear his name called among the top-10 picks.

McCarthy helped the Wolverines win the national title last season. He threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and completed 72.3 percent of his attempts in 15 starts.

Minnesota hasn’t made a draft pick inside the top 10 since selecting Anthony Barr at No. 9 overall in 2014. If it wants to end that drought for a quarterback this year, it will require a trade up with some of the extra picks brought in from that trade with the Texans.