2024 NFL Mock Draft: Vikings Trade Up to No. 4 for J.J. McCarthy

It’s not clear why, but to start the season, Justin Fields styled himself after Drew Bledsoe, a statue-esque quarterback who held the ball way too long in the pocket and took tons of sacks. Fields ran just twice following the opening drive versus the Buccaneers. He rebounded after that, especially after returning from injury, but he was woeful against the Packers to close out the year. With the No. 1 pick will locked up, the Bears will draft a quarterback after trading Fields.

Caleb Williams supplanted Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma, then put together massive performances at USC.

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The Redskins had major blocking issues that weren’t giving Sam Howell much of a chance. Howell, however, was benched twice, so the experiment is over. The Redskins will select a quarterback with this pick.

Jayden Daniels is an accurate passer and a dangerous runner who possesses a quality arm. Rumors indicated that the Redskins liked Maye more than Daniels, but some sources have said that the Redskins are inclined to draft Daniels.

Mac Jones sucks. The Patriots weren’t in a position to land a franchise quarterback in previous versions of this mock draft, but they are now that they are locked into the No. 3 spot. Jones is gone, so the Patriots will be selecting a quarterback.

Drake Maye is an athletic quarterback with good accuracy and field vision. His mechanics need a bit of work, but he’s still an elite quarterback prospect.

I don’t often predict trades in my mock draft, but I’m going to make an exception in this instance because we know Minnesota is aiming to move up after acquiring pick No. 23. The Vikings can trade Nos. 11 and 23, as well as a 2025 first-round pick to the Cardinals for No. 4.

The Vikings are obviously moving up for a quarterback. They have nothing at the position, so I understand their desperation to make a move. Ideally, they’d go to No. 3 and land one of the three studs, but they might be limited in what they can do.

J.J. McCarthy is an accurate quarterback with a solid arm and mobility.

When I previously updated my mock draft, the Chargers still had Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on the roster. Since then, Williams has been cut, while Allen was traded. Justin Herbert needs a new No. 1 receiver.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a 6-foot-4 receiver who happens to be a huge mismatch weapon. He was sorely missed in the college football semi-final versus Georgia when he suffered a concussion. Jim Harbaugh had a great look at how dominant Harrison can be, so he may select the receiver who went for five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown against his defense this past season.

The Giants have to be thrilled that the Vikings are moving up for a quarterback. That means that they’re locked in for one of the top two receivers in this class. This is huge for a team that has zero talent at the position.

Malik Nabers is quick and athletic. He outplayed Kayshon Boutte when the two were in school together.

The Titans could go back-to-back offensive linemen. They drafted Peter Skoronski to replace Nate Davis, and they could use this pick to find someone to fill Taylor Lewan’s shoes.

Joe Alt is a former tight end who has moved to left tackle. He has good size, length, and athleticism.

The Falcons can’t possibly go into the 2024 season with Desmond Ridder as the starter again. However, this is too early to draft J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix. Plus, Atlanta may go after a veteran anyway, given that the team is ready to win now. The Falcons may decide to fix their edge rush instead.

Dallas Turner is a dynamic pass-rushing threat with immense upside who has drawn comparisons to Brian Burns.

The Bears traded for Montez Sweat, which improved their defense greatly in the second half of the year this past season. However, there’s not much of a pressure beyond Sweat on the edge, so Chicago could pick someone to complement Sweat, though doing so after moving down would be wise.

Laiatu Latu is a dangerous pass rusher with incredible athleticism and a strong frame. There was some fear that he could fall, however, due to injury concerns. However, many teams have cleared Latu medically, so he’s live to be chosen in the top 10 again.

Pick change; previously Jared Verse, DE

The Jets are no longer locked into a tackle at No. 10 in the wake of the Tyron Smith signing. They can afford to go best player available, which in this case is a tight end. The Jets have nothing at the position, so I’m sure Aaron Rodgers would be in favor of this selection.

Brock Bowers is an elite athlete and a mismatch weapon.

Mike Jurecki is the best team reporter in the business. He has never gotten anything wrong about the Cardinals as far as I know. He said that if Arizona obtained a top-three pick, it would trade out of it and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers to replace DeAndre Hopkins because the team is stuck with Kyler Murray’s contract. The Cardinals, however, aren’t in such a position because they defeated the Eagles in a very Pyrrhic victory. Besides, they are likely to move down from No. 4. Given their vast resources, however, it wouldn’t surprise me if they move up for a top-three receiver. I could see them doing a trade with the Bears, for example, to leap the Jets for Rome Odunze.

Odunze has great size, but there are some concerns about separation ability.

Russell Wilson’s days in Denver are finished. Sean Payton will want to find his own quarterback to establish as the face of the franchise.

Bo Nix has a solid arm and scrambling ability.

It’s becoming more apparent that Michael Penix Jr. is going in the first round. The Raiders just might be the team that drafts him.

Michael Penix Jr. is a smart quarterback with a huge arm. He’s a 24-year-old with a dubious injury history, but is otherwise a terrific prospect.

The Saints wanted Myles Murphy in the 2023 NFL Draft, so they could draft a talented edge rusher to help the mediocre pass rush. And speaking of the pass rush, the Saints don’t have a left tackle to defend against it because Trevor Penning has been a major bust. They may take the best edge rusher or tackle available.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu looks like a franchise left tackle. He is a massive blocker with elite athleticism for the position.

The Colts need cornerback help to combat all the firepower the Jaguars and Texans have at receiver.

Terrion Arnold is a quick and athletic cornerback with average height.

The Seahawks will have to focus on upgrading the interior of their offensive line, which is in shambles right now because of all the free agency departures.

Talies Fuaga may have to move to guard in the NFL.