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JJ McCarthy trade speculation: Mel Kiper predicts massive NFL Draft move

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•01/08/25•

NickGeddesNews

JJ McCarthy
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The top two consensus quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft are Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. But another player who could be of interest to the quarterback-needy teams at the top of the Draft is JJ McCarthy, the rookie signal-caller for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in last year’s draft, the idea being he would be the quarterback of the future. But with Sam Darnold playing at a Pro Bowl level this season and leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record, could McCarthy be on the trade block? ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes Darnold’s performance in this year’s playoffs will dictate what the organization does with McCarthy, whom Kiper believes would be the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2025 class.

“I think it’s gonna be JJ McCarthy,” Kiper said Wednesday on UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio. “JJ McCarthy is a year younger than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. He’s had a year [in the NFL]. He’s coming off an injury. But if you look at his grade last year compared to the grades this year of the quarterbacks, he would be the No. 1 guy. He would be ahead of Drew Allar. He would certainly be ahead of Cam and Shedeur. So, I think JJ McCarthy — the decision the Vikings make based on how Sam Darnold plays in the playoffs will determine JJ McCarthy’s fate.

“Them only having a first and two fifths, they may say hey, if we can get three draft picks for JJ McCarthy, maybe let’s do it. Assuming Sam Darnold plays really well in the playoffs. If he doesn’t, then obviously they’re keeping JJ and let it play out that way. Franchise [tag] Sam, keep JJ, move on from there and see how that plays out. But I think the JJ McCarthy situation is gonna be really interesting to see what happens there. Do they keep him, or do they trade him?”

Minnesota Vikings have big decision to make on JJ McCarthy, Sam Darnold

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The New York Giants own the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. New York most certainly is in the quarterback market and if Kiper were in charge, he’d make a run at McCarthy. But again, Kiper says the Vikings need to see how Darnold plays in the postseason before making a decision on McCarthy.

“I don’t think the Vikings know that right now,” Kiper said. “That’s something if I’m the Vikings, I’m letting this all play out. Because you have a 27-year-old Sam Darnold look really good for [Kevin] O’Connell. If he goes through the playoffs and plays really well, Sam Darnold’s your quarterback. Then, you can potentially look at trading JJ. If Sam Darnold isn’t at that level in these playoff games, then you keep JJ. You franchise Sam and you let it play out. You can’t go with JJ and let Sam go because JJ’s still a relative unknown coming off the injury.”

McCarthy, 21, is one year removed from leading Michigan to a College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Washington. The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency before selecting McCarthy.

McCarthy tore his meniscus in his right knee during the first preseason game. He underwent a second surgery in November to address swelling in the knee that developed after an increase in activity during the rehabilitation process. McCarthy is on track to return for the 2025 season.

While McCarthy has been rehabbing, Darnold has been playing the best ball of his career. A former first round pick in his own right, Darnold has thrown for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 66.2% passing. Now, Darnold has a chance to cash in — but will the Vikings go all-in on the 27-year-old late bloomer?