Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 13 April 2024

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. – Thomas Paine

The QB debate this year has been fantastic no? Yeah, we argue with each other and get testy at times but it is all geared towards the same outcome.

Winning a freaking Super Bowl!

The most polarizing QB prospect for me is JJ McCarthy. His former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, cant say enough about him which is great. But last year, he ran the ball 200 more times than he threw it. He did not even let his QB throw it too much and we all know about the Penn State game where he did not attempt a single pass in the second half. The score was 14-9 at the half with Michigan leading.

Yes, Michigan could win without asking the QB to do much. Harbaugh did his job. But the question still remains about JJM. If given more chances will he have the same success. It is a very fair question to ask too because nobody knows.

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J.J. McCarthy will be ‘over-drafted’ according to anonymous NFL coach because he plays quarterback

Jim Harbaugh Is Lying About JJ McCarthy

Why JJ McCarthy is a BETTER QB Prospect Than You Think !

JJ McCarthy: The Most Underrated QB in the 2024 Draft

https://www.footballdb.com/players/jj-mccarthy-mccar0071/splits

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JJM only attempted 27 passes when trailing last year and he completed 20 of those for 301 yards with 2 TDs. Good.

255 of his 333 attempts were when the team was up by 15 points or more.

https://www.footballdb.com/players/michael-penix-penix0002/splits

Michael Penix attempted 145 passes when trailing last year complettning 90 of those for 1121 yards with 9 TDs and 2 INTs.

189 of his attempts were when the team was up by 15 points or more.

https://www.footballdb.com/players/jayden-daniels-danie0131/splits

https://www.footballdb.com/players/bo-nix-nix0012/splits

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I think most of these top QBs had similar numbers but McCarthy had a larger percentage of his attempts up by more than two scores.

But, he is very young, has a lot of experience, and the intrigue is definitely there. As I always say about prospects, they are not a finished product coming out of college.

I would be happy with JJM but I really hope they do not have to trade multiple high picks to get him.

News and Links

Will the Vikings Get a Parting Gift from Kirk Cousins?

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft

NFL Draft: Intriguing Edge Rusher Visiting Vikings

2024 NFL Mock Draft: J.J. McCarthy nearly falls out of top 10 while Vikings trade back twice; 6 QBs go Round 1

Yore Mock

Trades

Minnesota Receives: 2024: Round 1, Pick 27; 2024: Round 2, Pick 35; 2024: Round 3, Pick 71; 2024: Round 6, Pick 186

Arizona Receives: 2024: Round 1, Pick 11; 2024: Round 4, Pick 108; 2024: Round 5, Pick 167

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23. Graham Barton IOL Duke 6’5.3” 313

27. Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington 6’2.2” 216

35. Adonai Mitchell WR Texas 6’2.2” 205

71. Kris Jenkins DL Michigan 6’2.6” 299

129. Jarrian Jones CB Florida State 5’11.7” 190

157. Cedric Johnson EDGE Mississippi 6’3” 260

177. Malik Mustapha S Wake Forest 5’10.1” 209

186. Tanor Bortolini IOL Wisconsin 6’4.2” 303

230. J.D. Bertrand LB Notre Dame 6’0” 235

232. Myles Cole EDGE Texas Tech 6’6” 278

How many folks would be upset if Barton was the first pick? Well, the left guard spot is currently slated to be manned by Blake Brandel or Dan Feeney which I like both. Don’t matter who is the QB, they should always strive to do better. Barton might even play center.

The Mitchell pick is cray cray considering the team has JJ and Addison. But if the contract talks do not result in an extension for JJ, the team would more than likely get a huge haul for JJ and would save 35M per year. I am not saying I would do it. I just think that since the WR class is so strong and other positions are not (like defensive tackle and edge rusher), you should take advantage. Plus, what if JJ misses 7 games due to a hammy again? Or Addison goes down? I expect they keep JJ and Mitchell would just make the offense more dangerous!

I like Jenkins as an end.

The rest are depth picks that may or may not pan out.

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