How will the Minnesota Vikings fair with life after Kirk Cousins?
In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest 2024 NFL mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings will be bringing in their potential next franchise quarterback in the form of National Championship winner, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
“The Vikings are now the most interesting team in this draft. They just acquired another first-round pick in a deal with the Texans (No. 23), giving them the capital to move up and take a quarterback if they got the opportunity. But how far could they move up? Remember, it takes two sides to make a trade. Would the Giants want to risk missing out on one of the top receivers? Would the Titans want to risk missing out on their preferred tackle? Would the Falcons or Bears want to risk not getting the edge rusher they like? There’s not an easy match, unless Minnesota is willing to give up a lot of future picks, which is certainly possible.”
In this scenario, the Vikings could land their quarterback of the future anyway. With Kirk Cousins gone and Sam Darnold added on a one-year deal, it’s clear they have to add competition. All sides point to that competition coming from a rookie. McCarthy is the No. 21 prospect on my Big Board, but I can see why some teams would covet him much higher. He has intriguing physical traits and can make every throw. Either way, if Minnesota really wants to try to move up in Round 1 for a quarterback, I could see it waiting until draft day to see how the board shakes out.”
Minnesota Vikings 2023 Season Stymied by Major Injury to Kirk Cousins
Prior to rupturing his Achilles during the Minnesota Vikings’ week eight win over the Green Bay Packers, Kirk Cousins was quietly in the MVP conversation. Cousins threw for 2,331 yards to go along with 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions in less than eight full games.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons when the new NFL league year officially began, earlier this month. With plenty of offensive talent to work with in the form of Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and the newly-signed Aaron Jones, the Vikings could very well be a quarterback away from being in the mix in the NFC playoff picture.
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