Vikings trade up in move with Chargers, take J.J. McCarthy in ESPN NFL Nation Mock Draft

The Minnesota Vikings seem intent on getting one of the top four quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and are likely going to trade up in order to do it. And that’s just what they did in ESPN’s NFL Nation mock draft on Tuesday, selecting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 5 overall pick.

In order to pull off the pick, the Vikings — repped in this mock by ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert — traded up with the Los Angeles Chargers for the No. 5 pick. The terms of the trade sends No. 5 to Minnesota for the No. 11 and No. 23 overall picks in the 2024 draft, plus a 2024 fourth round pick and a 2025 third round pick.

“This trade allows the Vikings to accomplish their goals for the first round of this draft: To get a legitimate successor to Kirk Cousins without an absurd overpayment of draft capital,” Seifert said. “And McCarthy drops into a dream scenario for a rookie quarterback. He’ll receive premium development from the Vikings coaching staff, particularly from Kevin O’Connell and Josh McCown. The presence of veteran Sam Darnold will relieve any pressure to play right away. But when he’s ready to get on the field, he’ll be surrounded by playmakers from Justin Jefferson to Jordan Addison to Aaron Jones to T.J. Hockensen. It’s a fantastic outcome for all parties.”

And ESPN draft analyst and former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum thinks the move — at the cost — would be a good deal for the Vikings.

Plus, he agrees that it would be a good scenario for McCarthy to develop.

“I love J.J. McCarthy,” Tannebaum said. “27-1 as a starter, 49 touchdowns passes, plus his leadership. I remember watching him at practice, back with Cade McNamara. There’s something that draws his teammates to him and as Kevin alluded to tonight, ideal situation. So, this is a really good trade for the Minnesota Vikings, if it’s anywhere close to the bill they actually have to pay on Thursday night.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has also projected the same trade, pick for the Vikings

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 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.”