2024 NFL Draft

Bengals Host Washington OT Troy Fautanu, Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga

April 6th, 2024 at 11:59am CST by Ben Levine

The Bengals got a long look at a pair of top offensive line prospects this week. According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Bengals hosted Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu on a top-30 visit on Tuesday. The Bengals also have a top-3o visit scheduled with Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, per Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler.

After redshirting as a freshman and playing sparingly during the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, Fautanu emerged as a full-time starter in Washington between 2022 and 2023. This culminated in a 2023 campaign where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. That performance also propelled him up the draft boards, as Fautanu is expected to hear his name called at some point during the first round.

Fuaga is one of the offensive tackles competing with Fautanu to be selected in the first round. The Oregon State product was also a first-team All-Pac-12 honoree this past season. Scouts have lauded the prospect’s offensive line IQ, and there’s some belief he could play both tackle and guard in the NFL.

The Bengals brought in Trent Brown to play opposite Orlando Brown Jr., so the team doesn’t desperately need an OT. However, as Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic noted yesterday, the Bengals still need a swing tackle, and they’d love for a rookie to provide Brown with some competition at right tackle.

If the Bengals do opt for a first-round offensive tackle, Dehner can’t envision the coaching staff playing around with the rookie’s position. Alex Cappa is firmly entrenched in one guard spot, and the Bengals “really like the progress” of Cordell Volson, per Dehner.

Patriots To Host QBs Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy

April 5th, 2024 at 10:21pm CST by Ely Allen

The holders of the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots have been doing their homework to determine who they will bring in from the college ranks. With former starting quarterback Mac Jones getting traded to the Jaguars, the focus has been on quarterbacks. After hosting North Carolina passer Drake Maye today, New England made sure to schedule visits with two of the draft’s other top quarterbacks, as well, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Breer tells us that LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels will be the first to follow Maye with a visit immediately after the weekend. Daniels will be in town on Monday for dinner before taking his “30” visit the following day at Gillette Stadium. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be the third quarterback to take a visit, scheduling his trip for the week after Daniels’ visit.

With the third pick of the draft, and Caleb Williams being nearly cemented into the No. 1 overall pick, the Patriots are virtually guaranteed that at least two of the above visitors will be available when it’s their turn to pick. So, in theory, if the team decides following these visits that they would be happy drafting any two of the visiting quarterbacks, that’s all the research they would need to do. There’s no harm in doing as much research as possible, and there’s always a possibility that the Patriots trade back into the first round after their first pick, so they still may continue to bring in future visitors.

Most mock drafts at this point in time, though, tend to predict quarterbacks being selected with each of the draft’s first four picks. With Williams almost certainly headed to Chicago, New England should have its pick of whomever the Commanders don’t select between Maye, Daniels, and McCarthy.

Any of the three would enter New England with a clear chance at the starting quarterback position. Following Jones’ departure, the Patriots currently roster Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, and Nathan Rourke at quarterback. All three passers provide New England with starting options at the position if their potential rookie pick isn’t ready to take the reins.

Brissett, returning to the team that drafted him for the first time since his rookie season, held his own as a starter during stints with the Colts and Browns. Zappe has started eight games in replacement of Jones over his first two seasons. Rourke has starting experience from his standout season in the Canadian Football League but has yet to make his debut in the NFL.

Regardless, the first opportunity to start will likely go to whomever the team drafts at No. 3 overall, assuming of course that that player is a quarterback. Yesterday’s visit with Maye, in conjunction with the upcoming visits with Daniels and McCarthy, should give New England the perfect opportunity to decide the order of preference for the three, in hopes that their top option will be available after picks by Chicago and Washington.

Latest On Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

April 5th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Ely Allen

The runup to the 2024 NFL Draft has been a rollercoaster for Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Initially viewed in the second tier of top draft-eligible passers alongside Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Penix has dipped in and out of the first round in mock drafts over the past several weeks, while McCarthy has skyrocketed into the top tier. Now, at this point in time, OutKick’s Armando Salguero tells us that at least three teams have Penix on their board with a first-round value.

Initially, there were concerns about Penix’s history with injury issues, as detailed in his recent Prospect Profile. His four season-ending injuries in as many years at Indiana had many uneasy about his health at the next level. After getting cleared in medical evaluations, Penix will be able to get most teams to look past his injury-history, though some may still hold on to their reservations.

As for which three teams have him slotted as a first-rounder, it’s difficult to say for sure. Penix has scheduled several different “top 30” visits over the last week. He’s set to meet with the Giants, Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Steelers, Vikings, and Commanders, while the Seahawks have been mentioned as a team of interest, as well. The Commanders can probably be taken out of the mix. Even if they have a first-round grade on Penix, they are seemingly set to draft one of the top-tier passers at No. 2 overall.

The Falcons are an interesting team to watch after they sent “a sizable group to Seattle to conduct a private workout with” Penix today, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. It’s hard to see them as one of the teams with a first-round grade on the 23-year-old, though, as they just signed Kirk Cousins to a big contract to start for them at quarterback.

Instead look to teams like the Raiders, who have been mocked to draft Penix on multiple occasions. Despite the team’s aggressive efforts to move into the top three draft picks, Las Vegas doesn’t seem to have the capital to make it happen. Those efforts show their desire to draft a quarterback, though, and if they’re stuck at 13th overall, they may have to settle for Penix.

With most mock drafts predicting a run of four passers in the first four picks, it only takes one or two more teams in the remaining 28 picks to pull the trigger on Penix or Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. With plenty of teams needing help at the position, Penix could join the ranks as one of up to five or six first-round quarterbacks.

Draft Notes: Odunze, DeJean, Nabers, Chargers, Lions, Bucs, Jags, Steelers

April 5th, 2024 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

While reports have indicated some teams prefer Malik Nabers to Marvin Harrison Jr., Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline offers a stance that could further muddy the waters among the draft’s top wide receivers. Several teams have Rome Odunze slotted higher than Nabers on their big boards. Although transfers have populated the QB ranks in this class, the top three receivers only played at one school. Odunze starred at Washington for the past two seasons, posting two 1,100-yard campaigns and elevating his stock further last year. He clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, a tenth slower than Nabers ran at LSU’s pro day. Odunze, who booked visits with the Cardinals, Bears and Jets, did not run at his pro day.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound talent ripped off 10 100-yard games last season, including five straight to help the Huskies into the CFP national championship game. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board slots Odunze fifth overall — one spot behind Nabers — while Daniel Jeremiah agrees with the teams that have Odunze higher, ranking the Washington prospect third overall — between Harrison and Nabers. All three could be gone in the top seven or eight choices. This certainly raises the stakes for the Cardinals, who have a glaring WR need and have been linked to a trade-down move from No. 4.

Here is the latest coming out of the draft:

In addition to Nabers’ Cardinals visit this week, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes he made a trip to Los Angeles to meet with the new Chargers staff. The Chargers having jettisoned Keenan Allen and Mike Williams makes them an obvious team to monitor for one of the top receivers. If the Cardinals trade out of No. 4, L.A. would be positioned to land the draft’s top WR prospect at 5. Of course, the Chargers have also been linked to moving down. And Jim Harbaugh‘s past and some recent comments have made it worth monitoring if the Bolts value a receiver this high.
After suffering a broken fibula in November, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is ready for football work. The highly touted cover man sent a letter to all 32 teams informing them he is cleared for all football actitives, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. DeJean will hold a workout April 8 in Iowa City. Jeremiah ranks the ex-Hawkeyes standout 25th on his big board; Kiper has the 6-1 defender 21st. DeJean, who notched five INTs and three pick-sixes as a sophomore in 2022, left school early despite the injury.
The Jaguars are spending some time on other corners in this draft, specifically those from Alabama. They used “30” visits on both Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. The Buccaneers and Lions also met with McKinstry, according to Schultz and the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. The Jags cut two-year starter Darious Williams but replaced him with Ronald Darby, though the latter is 30 and tied to a two-year deal that features a fairly easy out in 2025. Cameron Sutton‘s arrest and ensuing release leaves the Lions in need at corner, despite Detroit having signed Amik Robertson and traded for Carlton Davis. The Bucs trading Davis frees up a spot at corner in Tampa opposite Jamel Dean. Arnold rates higher than McKinstry, who came into last season as a better prospect. Jeremiah ranks McKinstry 36th overall. More visits are likely, considering McKinstry sat out the Combine with a toe fracture but still clocked a 4.47-second 40 time (at Alabama’s pro day) despite not yet undergoing surgery.
Nate Wiggins clocked a blazing 4.28 time at the Combine, elevating his stock. The Clemson product visited the Steelers on Thursday, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski. A first-team All-ACC choice who posted two pick-sixes with the ACC program, Wiggins played all three of his college seasons at Clemson. The Steelers releasing Patrick Peterson but added Donte Jackson. The trade pickup’s contract expires after 2024, however, and the 6-foot-1 Wiggins is among those the team is looking into as a longer-term option opposite Joey Porter Jr.

Cardinals Hosting WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

April 5th, 2024 at 2:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Closely linked to a trade-down maneuver, the Cardinals have now scheduled visits with all three of this draft class’ top wide receivers. After their “30” visit with Malik Nabers, the Cards have Marvin Harrison Jr. in town Friday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

A Rome Odunze meeting is also on Arizona’s docket. The Cardinals have a chance to acquire considerable future draft capital by trading down from No. 4 overall, but unless they slide down just a few picks (perhaps with the Giants, who sit at No. 6), they will forfeit their access to the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze tier by trading down. This raises the stakes for the receiver-needy team.

Harrison presents an interesting profile. The Ohio State product delivered tremendous on-field production, coming out of a program that has regularly churned out high-level receiver talent in recent years. Harrison also has bucked tradition by not working out for teams during the pre-draft period. After passing on work at the Combine, Harrison also did not perform any drills or run a 40-yard dash at the Buckeyes’ pro day last month. This is highly unusual, but teams are believed to have given the top-flight prospect indications they did not need to see him go through drills during the run-up to the draft.

Rather than training for pre-draft workouts, the second-generation wide receiver talent is taking the atypical step of preparing for an NFL offseason program. With Nabers blazing to a 4.35-second 40 time after moving onto the Harrison tier as a prospect by helping Jayden Daniels to the Heisman, it will be interesting to see if Harrison’s strategy backfires. Though, even if Nabers is the first receiver chosen, Harrison will not need to wait long before he strolls across the draft stage.

While some teams are believed to prefer Nabers, Harrison impressed the Cardinals during his Combine interview. Harrison’s game tape also leaves little doubt about his draft status. Harrison eclipsed 1,200 yards in each of his final two college seasons and caught 14 touchdown passes in both years. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board places Harrison as this class’ No. 3 overall prospect (and top wideout), while Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com offering has Harrison as No. 2 overall prospect. At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, the younger Harrison is much bigger than his Hall of Fame father was during his career.

With quarterbacks widely expected to be chosen in the top three, the Cardinals have a clear opportunity to land this class’ top receiver. The team, which lost Marquise Brown last month, has a glaring need at the position. This draft class houses another deep receiver crop, however, which could convince the Cardinals to trade back — as they did in last year’s first round — to bolster their rebuild.

The Cardinals also hold the No. 27 overall pick, by virtue of their trade-down with the Texans. If the Vikings (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12) or Raiders (No. 13) are to climb up, the Cards could pick up two future firsts. It will be interesting to see if those kind of offers emerge, as that would stand to force the team to consider passing on the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze tier of WR.

Cardinals Host Malik Nabers, Terrion Arnold, JC Latham

April 4th, 2024 at 6:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

As mock drafts have the Cardinals addressing their wide receiver need at No. 4 or trading down to stockpile more assets — as they did last year — the rebuilding team has a big decision to make. Being effectively assured of the draft’s top wide receiver by sticking at 4, the Cardinals made some pivotal trade-down maneuvers in Monti Ossenfort‘s first GM year.

Committed to Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are not in consideration to draft a quarterback early. After trading down from No. 3 to No. 12 (and then back to No. 6) last year, the team has two first-round picks. The Cards also hold the No. 27 overall selection, thanks to the trade that gave the Texans Will Anderson Jr.

Arizona is doing its due diligence on players that will not be available at 27, hosting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe and Ian Rapoport note. They also met with Alabama tackle JC Latham, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board slots the trio fourth, ninth and 18th in this year’s class.

While the Giants face a similar decision regarding a wide receiver, theirs involves trading up for a quarterback or staying put and having a top-flight WR available. The Cardinals, however, are in a better position thanks to the No. 4 slot. Ossenfort’s pledge of being open to trading down has produced rumblings that is what Arizona is planning to do, but the team can instantly upgrade its receiver spot by drafting Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr. or Washington’s Rome Odunze. It is quite possible none would be available if the Cardinals trade down. Odunze is also on the Cards’ visit list.

QB-needy teams like the Vikings, Broncos and Raiders could be eyeing the Cardinals’ pick. If Arizona deals with any of that trio, it would slide out out of the top 10. After the Cards lost Christian Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins in 2022 and ’23, Marquise Brown joined the Chiefs this offseason. That leaves the team in dire need at the position. The 2024 class is set to deliver another deep receiver crop, however, and Ossenfort could view a future first-round pick (and other assets) as more valuable than the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze WR tier.

Still, Nabers is viewed by some teams as this draft’s top wideout. The Cardinals already met with the LSU alum previously, though “30” visits provide better opportunities to gauge prospects’ fits. Nabers posted a 1,000-yard season in 2022 but unlocked another level to his game last season, totaling 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns to help Jayden Daniels win the Heisman. Nabers’ 4.35-second 40-yard dash at LSU’s pro day certainly did not hurt his stock.

Arnold and Latham could be targets for the Cards if they move down. The team has been in need at corner for years, losing the likes of Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy in free agency earlier this decade. Arnold rates as the top corner on Jeremiah’s big board; the Cards have not gone corner in Round 1 since Peterson in 2011. Operating across from fellow top prospect Kool-Aid McKinstry, the 6-foot Arnold recorded six interceptions (five in 2023) and 20 passes defensed over the past two seasons.

The Cardinals climbed up for Paris Johnson last year, and while the team recently released longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries, Jonah Williams signed a two-year deal. This would not make tackle a front-burner need. Latham joined Arnold as a first-team All-SEC player last season. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board lists Latham 12th overall and as the third-best tackle in this year’s draft.

Patriots To Host QB Drake Maye

April 4th, 2024 at 3:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bringing a sizable contingent to Drake Maye‘s pro day, the Patriots certainly have interest in the North Carolina prospect. Holding the No. 3 overall pick, the Pats may well have Maye available to them later this month.

The Patriots will go through with an official “30” visit with the high-end quarterback prospect Friday, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. After meeting with Maye at the Combine, the Pats already spoke with the two-year Tar Heels starter at his pro day last month.

Although buzz about New England trading out of No. 3 overall has surfaced, this No. 3 choice — in a draft that looks to feature six first-round-caliber quarterbacks — represents a pivotal point for a team that saw its Mac Jones plan go awry quickly. A recent report indicated other NFL execs expect the Patriots to take a QB at 3. Another pointed to the team only being OK trading out of the No. 3 slot if it was assured it could land a passer later in the first round.

Maye came into the 2023 season much higher on draft boards compared to Jayden Daniels, but the LSU passer’s Heisman campaign rocketed him onto the same level. Maye also did not enjoy as strong of a season as he put together in 2022. J.J. McCarthy also represents a wild card here, having wowed NFL staffers at his pro day. The Michigan product had already seen his stock rise prior to that Ann Arbor showing.

McCarthy being in consideration for the Commanders at No. 2 would only increase the chances Maye is still there for the Pats at 3. Of course, if McCarthy goes at 2, the Pats would have the Maye-or-Daniels decision. That would be a rather good problem to have for a team that has, save for Jones’ 2021 season, endured mostly bad quarterback play since Tom Brady‘s 2020 free agency exit.

Already visiting the Giants, Maye will certainly log some more visits before the mid-April deadline. The Patriots have thus far been Maye’s most popular mock-draft landing spot. ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s mocks have sent the Tar Heels’ Sam Howell successor to New England, though Daniel Jeremiah’s latest NFL.com offering mocks Maye to Washington and Daniels to Foxborough. It would certainly be a risk for the Pats to trade out of this draft slot and take their chances with one of the second-tier arms in this class. An early-March report did indicate some Patriots scouts are not sold on Maye, but trading out of No. 3 would effectively remove the top four QBs from the AFC East club’s equation.

The Pats sent many staffers to Daniels’ pro day and Maye’s Chapel Hill showcase last month; given the magnitude of this decision, those trips add up. Offering better size compared to Daniels, the 6-foot-4, 223-pound QB is also nearly two years younger. Maye, 21, threw 38 TD passes compared to seven INTs in 2022. His ratio narrowed to 24-9 last season. But scouts are high on Maye’s arm strength and aggressiveness; he also combined for nearly 1,200 rushing yards between 2022 and ’23, offering teams some intrigue in the run game as well.

Raiders To Host QB Bo Nix

April 4th, 2024 at 1:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders were the rare team last year to bring in the top five quarterback prospects on “30” visits. That ended up being a smokescreen effort, with the team pleased to see three passers going in the top four. That allowed for a highly touted defensive prospect (Tyree Wilson) to fall to No. 7.

This year, the Raiders have been more transparent about their interest in drafting a QB. Michael Penix Jr. will meet with the team Thursday in Las Vegas, and SI.com’s Albert Breer notes Bo Nix will go through a visit on Friday in Nevada.

The Oregon prospect looms as a player who may well be available at No. 13. While the Raiders have been tied closely to a trade-up effort, a Penix or Nix move would be an alternate route — one far less costly — the AFC West team may consider. Nix put together an eye-popping TD-INT ratio in his final season with the Ducks — 45-3 — but checks in as this draft’s fifth- or sixth-best QB prospect, illustrating the depth the 2024 class has supplied.

Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis and Hendon Hooker met with the Raiders last year. The team would have only had a shot, barring a trade-up move, at Levis or Hooker. The then-Dave Ziegler– and Josh McDaniels-led team opted not to address the position until Round 4. That pick became Aidan O’Connell. While O’Connell played a key part in the Raiders’ 2023 season, it appears likely the Purdue product will be competing with whomever the Tom Telesco– and Antonio Pierce-run team chooses early in this draft.

Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board slots Nix 29th and Penix 33rd. Both Pac-12 products put up monster numbers after transferring. Nix, who used his NCAA-provided fifth year of eligibility following the pandemic, transferred from Auburn in 2022. Nix completed 77.4% of his passes last season and totaled 510 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022. Stationed in less pass-friendly offenses at Auburn, Nix did not reach 20 TD passes in any of his three seasons there.

The Raiders have been more closely tied to a Jayden Daniels-driven move up the board, as Pierce is close with the former Arizona State recruit. But that would almost definitely cost at least two future first-rounders. If the team is not keen on paying that price — if such a deal even presents itself for the LSU product — the Nix-Penix tier would be a place to look. The Broncos, who have traded three first-round picks since 2022, may also be eyeing that prospect plane. This will add some intrigue to the draft, with neither AFC West team in position to land one of the top four QB prospects at their present draft slots; Denver holds the No. 12 choice.

Bears Host QB Caleb Williams, DE Dallas Turner, T Tyler Guyton

April 4th, 2024 at 8:51am CST by Adam La Rose

As the draft continues to draw closer, NFL teams are turning their attention to visits with prospects on their radar. In the case of the Bears, that process included a trio of noteworthy names in position to be selected at or near the top of the board meeting with the team.

Quarterback Caleb Williams was among the prospects which met with Chicago on Wednesday, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That comes as no surprise, as the 2022 Heisman winner has long been the presumed selection at No. 1 overall. Especially with Justin Fields having been traded, Williams is on track to hear his name called first and immediately take on starting duties for the Bears.

Breer adds that Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner and Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton also met with the Bears’ brass yesterday. The former is widely regarded as the top prospect at his position in the 2024 class, one which is generally dominated at the top of the board by players on the offensive side of the ball. Turner – who won the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 to go along with first-team All-American honors – is firmly on the top-10 radar.

Turner has already been linked to the Falcons, a team in need of edge rush help. Atlanta owns the eighth overall pick, while Chicago’s second selection is set at No. 9. In the event Turner were to make it past the Falcons, he would could be a reasonable target for a Bears defense seeking to find a complement for 2023 trade acquisition Montez Sweat. The latter is attached to the four-year, $98MM deal he signed upon arrival in the Windy City, so a starter-level addition on their rookie contract would be a financially sound one on the part of the Bears.

Guyton, meanwhile, is one of many offensive tackles which have been expected to come off the board some time in Round 1. Some prospects at the position have received better evaluations, but the former TCU transfer possesses intriguing athletic upside. Guyton played all-but exclusively at right tackle with the Sooners, a position which the Bears addressed during the first round of last year’s draft (Darnell Wright). Guyton could be viewed as a developmental option capable of transitioning to the blindside, though.

While the Bears control the very top of the board, their decision at No. 9 will of course be dictated in part by those of the teams around them in the order. Their evaluation of potential targets over the next few days could signal their intentions with the first post-Williams selection.

Vikings Ownership Pushing For Long-Term Quarterback Move?

April 3rd, 2024 at 10:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

It certainly is no longer a secret the Vikings are interested in moving up for a quarterback. Linked to such a climb before their pivotal trade with the Texans, that deal made other QB-needy teams well aware the Vikes are serious about replacing Kirk Cousins with a potential first in franchise history.

From Fran Tarkenton to Tommy Kramer to Daunte Culpepper to Christian Ponder, the Vikings have never used a top-10 pick on a quarterback (though, Culpepper and Ponder were each top-12 choices). This year may well bring that elusive investment. Vikings ownership may have a hand in this as well.

Although GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is running point on this operation, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes ownership has “made it clear” a long-term quarterback solution — after the first two years of the Adofo-Mensah era featured short-term Cousins-based fixes — will be sought. The Vikings hold the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks. While a passer like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix could potentially be available at 23, the Vikings are probably setting their sights higher.

The Vikings sent their 2024 and 2025 second-rounders — the latter of which the Texans just dealt to the Bills for Stefon Diggs — and a 2024 sixth to move up to No. 23. The expectation around the league is for Minnesota to trade up for a quarterback. Many around the NFL have mentioned J.J. McCarthy as Minnesota’s most likely target. With the Michigan alum in play to go No. 2 overall to the Commanders — after an impressive pro day — the Vikings may need to set their sights on another passer. Considering the prospect statuses of Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels compared to McCarthy entering 2024, it would be strange if the Vikes had a chance at one of them while the once-lower-regarded QB was unavailable.

Daniels has since come up as a Vikings target, with the Raiders’ interest in reuniting the 2023 Heisman winner with one of his ex-college coaches (Antonio Pierce) not a secret. It could require the Vikings to part with two first-round picks and change to move from No. 11 into the top four. But the Patriots, Cardinals and Chargers — particularly the latter two clubs — have been connected to a willingness to trade down. It cost the 49ers two future firsts to climb from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance. New England, Arizona and Los Angeles will likely seek a similar haul. The Vikings having a second first-round pick this year might change the equation slightly, but it will still be quite costly to climb up that far.

Sam Darnold is in place as a stopgap option, and while the former top-three pick has an interesting opportunity ahead due to the skill-position cadre the Vikings possess, owner Zygi Wilf desiring a long-term QB be desired this year would solidify Darnold’s role as a placeholder. Additionally, La Canfora suggests Adofo-Mensah may be feeling some heat going into his third season.

Minnesota’s GM being on the hot seat already would be quite the development, considering the team’s 13-4 season in 2022. While that season did bring the worst point differential in NFL history for a 13-win team, the Vikings were not expected to finish in that realm that year. Minnesota took a step back last season, with Cousins’ injury derailing a nice midseason stretch. But the team did not implode without its starting passer. Adofo-Mensah ultimately opting to move on from a QB Kevin O’Connell endorsed many times over, bringing a $28.5MM dead money bill due to a 2023 void years decision, could confirm rumblings of friction between the team’s top two decision-makers.

For now, the two power brokers are working together to land a Cousins replacement. Armed with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson (along with young left tackle Christian Darrisaw), Minnesota represents a solid destination for a young passer. It will be interesting to see which one the Vikes end up with, as it seems highly improbable they will leave the first round without their hopeful long-term option.

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