The tension was reportedly high inside the Minnesota Vikings draft room, leading up to tonight’s official start of the 2024 NFL Draft, and for good reason. As was projected by most insiders, quarterbacks went Nos. 1, 2, 3 to open the evening festivities in Detroit, MI.
That left one top QB on the board, after No. 3. Thus, the stare down contest between the Vikings and New York Giants began. And Minnesota decided to call their bluff. Instead of trading ahead of them, they gave the Giants their shot at JJ McCarthy, who they were thought to love entering draft night.
And… it paid off. The Giants went with Malik Nabers at No. 6. A quarterback did end up being taken by another team other than the Vikings. But it wasn’t. At No. 8, the Falcons selected Kirk Cousins’ replacement in Michael Penix Jr.
Minnesota Vikings stay (mostly) patient, draft JJ McCarthy
Then… finally at No. 10 overall, the Vikings must have felt some pressure from Denver and Las Vegas right behind them and made a deal to move up one slot with the New York Jets to take their QB of the future, Michigan’s JJ McCarthy.
The Vikings take Michigan QB JJ McCarthy 10th overall.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 26, 2024
Minnesota’s new combo: pic.twitter.com/ZULQeTjlNK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024
To get the deal done, the Minnesota Vikings gave up No. 11, No. 129 and No. 157 for No. 10 and No. 203. After all that hype and all those rumors and speculation, the Minnesota Vikings land one of the quarterbacks that they have been most linked to going all the way back months. Credit to Kwesi & Co for staying patient while everything around them turned to chaos.
