The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick of the NFL Draft.
While the trade was rather puzzling considering the New York Jets (who were originally picking at No. 10) weren’t going to take a quarterback, the Vikings got their guy, and a former NFL executive tells the NFL Analysis Network that Minnesota is going to be happy with its choice.
“The Minnesota Vikings were the perfect fit for J.J. McCarthy,” the exec said. “He’ll start immediately and he’ll have a good offensive line, Justin Jefferson, and a great all-around supporting cast. Looking back at this pick in five years, it will be a massive steal.”
McCarthy was probably the most polarizing player in this year’s draft class. While some praised his intangibles, others expressed concern over his physical limitations heading into the NFL.
However, the former exec thinks that McCarthy will pan out just fine.
“McCarthy is going to develop into a top-notch franchise quarterback,” added the exec. “This is also a move that will keep Jefferson in Minnesota long-term.”
Jefferson is preparing to enter the final year of his deal, and the Vikings have yet to make much progress on long-term contract negotiations.
Perhaps bringing in McCarthy will get the ball rolling and may make Jefferson more amenable to signing a multi-year deal to remain in Minnesota.
McCarthy is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he led Michigan to a national championship. He threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 72.3 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 202 yards and three scores.
We’ll see if J.J. McCarthy can prove his doubters wrong in 2024 and beyond.
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