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Mel Kiper projects Minnesota Vikings to trade up for J.J. McCarthy at No. 5

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•04/15/24
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© Patrick Breen

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates are at it again as the duo is conducting their three-round NFL Mock Draft. The unique caveat with this particular special is that the two will assume the role of NFL GM while alternating picks. Oh yeah, and trading is allowed for this format.

Now, with trading as an option, that has led to a unique shift in the top five selected players. With Kiper making the selection at No. 5, he has entered the first trade-up of the 2024 NFL draft, with the Minnesota Vikings moving up to select their quarterback of the future in former Michigan Wolverine star J.J. McCarthy.

“Let’s shake it up and say; hey Minnesota, you can’t wait it out until 11… you gotta move up and get the quarterback. Now, it’s that feeding frenzy for the quarterback,” said Kiper.

“Minnesota gets their quarterback in a division with Jared Goff, Caleb Williams, [and] Jordan Love; now you have JJ McCarthy. You got Sam Darnold as the bridge to JJ McCarthy, who is just 21 years of age and has to adjust to the National Football League; we know that. The bottom line is if you wait till 11, I think you’ll lose the quarterback. And in this league, you can’t lose a quarterback you have strong conviction about that you believe can be a great leader and a great quarterback in this league. You can’t fool around; you gotta go up and get him.”

In the 2023 campaign, McCarthy started all 15 games for the Wolverines, tallying 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The 6-foot-3 junior also compiled 202 yards and three scores on the ground.

McCarthy’s impressive junior season wasn’t his only elite year at Michigan. In 2022, he made 14 appearances for Michigan, including 13 starts, after beating out Cade McNamara for the starting spot. McNamara also missed the majority of that year following an injury to his right knee. He finished the season with 2,719 passing yards and 22 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions. He also notched 306 rushing yards for five touchdowns.