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Minnesota Vikings News & Rumors

Vikings Acquire No. 10 Pick From Jets, Select QB J.J. McCarthy

April 25th, 2024 at 8:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

The first trade of Thursday’s opening round has taken place. The Jets have sent the 10th overall pick to the Vikings, also dealing No. 203. In exchange, New York will receive Nos. 129 and 157 from Minnesota in addition to the 11th choice.

With the No. 10 pick, the Vikings have selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The national champion represents the fifth quarterback to be selected so far, and his addition means each of the first 10 selections are players on the offensive side of the ball.

McCarthy was one of the surprise early risers in the pre-draft process. For much of his college career, including his final season with the Wolverines, McCarthy was not considered a first-round talent. Shortly after winning the College Football Playoff Championship with Michigan, McCarthy began to shoot up draft boards. He would eventually solidify his status as a likely Day 1 pick with his performances at the NFL scouting combine and his pro day.

In Minnesota, the Vikings will have the opportunity to sit McCarthy for at least a year to learn and develop behind the newly acquired Sam Darnold. There’s always a chance that McCarthy could surpass Darnold for a starting job as a rookie, but between McCarthy’s lack of production at the college level and Darnold’s experience in the NFL, it makes sense to let McCarthy marinate.

The Vikings could’ve sat back and addressed other positions of need on the offensive line and defense, instead they opted to part with two Day 3 picks in order to ensure no one moved ahead of them to take McCarthy. This could have been aimed at boxing out the Broncos, who were believed to have been interested in the ex-Jim Harbaugh starter. Sitting one spot ahead of Denver, Minnesota did not need to use the second first-round pick it acquired (via Houston) to nab its quarterback. Based on where mock drafts had the Vikings trading up to in order to nab McCarthy, moving from 11 to 10 represents good value. The Broncos ended up with Bo Nix two spots later, completing a staggering stretch that brought six QBs in the first 12 picks.

This is also the first time in franchise history, the Vikings have selected a quarterback in the top 10, though Daunte Culpepper and Christian Ponder were chosen just outside that point. McCarthy, 21, will be the player tabbed at succeeding Kirk Cousins in the long term. The Vikings were not believed to have come especially close to where the Falcons went for Cousins, who received $100MM in practical guarantees in March.

Both Cousins’ new team and old team chose QBs in the top 10, and the Vikings still have the No. 23 overall pick to bolster their roster around their Cousins heir apparent. Cousins’ former weaponry cadre — consisting of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, with Aaron Jones now in the mix — will begin to work with a QB nearly 15 years younger (along with Darnold, for the time being) soon.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Drake Maye Latest: Patriots, Ownership, Daniels, McCarthy, Giants, Vikings

April 25th, 2024 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:58pm: To little surprise, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports teams around the league believe New England will retain the third overall pick and use it on Maye. That would meet the team’s goal of adding a prospect capable of becoming a franchise passer and fall in line with the way draft winds have been blowing for quite some time. It would also, of course, increase attention on the Cardinals as the first team in position to select a non-QB.

10:34am: With Caleb Williams ticketed for Chicago and Jayden Daniels moving into clear pole position with Washington, where Drake Maye will end up has become perhaps this draft’s top talking point. A number of teams are on the radar for the two-year North Carolina starter, though the Patriots look set to have the right of first refusal.

Expected to come out of the first round with a passer, the Pats hosted Maye on a visit and have done plenty of work on this QB class. While trade-down rumblings have emerged, it does not appear strong offers have come the Pats’ way. They are expected to keep the No. 3 overall pick, and NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran believes Maye will be the Pats’ choice — barring a monster trade offer changing their mind. Curran mentions the Giants and Vikings as the teams that could change the Patriots’ mind with a big proposal.

This move would stand to appease ownership, which is taking a more hands-on role during this pre-draft process compared to how things ran under Bill Belichick. Pats ownership seems to carry a “strong preference” Eliot Wolf and Co. leave Round 1 with a quarterback, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes. While rumors of the Pats having Michael Penix Jr. in their back pocket — in the event they trade out of No. 3 — the Washington prospect has since generated buzz about rising into the top 10. That may still be the less likely scenario for the left-hander, but the Pats would be taking a risk if they traded out of No. 3.

The Patriots are believed to, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, have Daniels rated ahead of Maye — a ranking we first heard about during the Combine — but that may well be a moot point due to the Commanders holding the No. 2 choice. Washington GM Adam Peters and OC Kliff Kingsbury are believed to be high on Daniels, setting up a Patriots Maye-or-J.J. McCarthy call. Washington is not expected to trade down, much to Las Vegas’ chagrin. Any (likely irrelevant) Daniels preference aside, Fowler adds the Pats still like the upside Maye — who, at 21, is two years younger than the reigning Heisman winner — brings to the table.

Maye met with the Patriots, Commanders and Giants and worked out for the Vikings in Minnesota. In the view of the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, the 6-foot-4 prospect spoke more glowingly of his Giants meeting compared to how things went in Foxborough. Maye also declined to say if he met with Robert Kraft during his visit. The Giants, who hold the No. 6 pick, employ the play-caller in place when Josh Allen‘s ascent began (Brian Daboll). The Patriots are in transition, with Alex Van Pelt set to work as a regular play-caller for the first time — save for a 2020 Browns-Steelers wild-card game Kevin Stefanski missed due to COVID-19 — in 15 years.

The Giants and Vikings have a vested interest in how the Patriots proceed. The tide has either turned for the Giants in their Maye-or-McCarthy preference, or an elaborate smokescreen operation is afoot. Maye-Giants connections have continued to come out of New York, and ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan furthers them by offering that the recent Tar Heels standout is indeed the QB — among the options expected to be within their reach — the team covets.

That said, McCarthy chimed in (during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show) by saying he spent more time with the Giants than any other team during the run-up to the draft. The Michigan prospect joins Maye in receiving intense scrutiny, and while he was more closely tied to the Giants weeks ago, the Broncos have been linked to him more recently. It would be costly for Denver to move up from No. 12 for McCarthy or Maye, though it is interesting Sean Payton‘s team has been more closely tied to the former given the recent rumors tying the latter to New York and Minnesota.

Sitting at Nos. 4 and 5, the Cardinals and Chargers have discussed terms with QB-needy teams residing outside the top three. How the Pats proceed will crystallize the value of those choices. Maye being off the board at 3 could weaken the positions of Arizona and Los Angeles, and hours away from the draft, it looks like that will be the case.

Broncos Worked Out Bo Nix; Vikings In Play For Oregon QB?

April 25th, 2024 at 11:35am CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos have led the way when it comes to connections to Bo Nix, who is coming off a career that concluded with dominant numbers at Oregon and less impressive work at Auburn. Denver’s ties to Nix were not believed to have included a “30” visit, but a recent report provides more detail into the work Denver has done on the five-year college starter.

Sean Payton and Co. trekked to Eugene to work out the recent Ducks standout, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. This March 18 trip came just more than a week after a Zoom call between Nix and Broncos brass. These interactions could be important for Nix, whose draft stock may be the murkiest among the top quarterback options in this year’s class.

[RELATED: Assessing Bo Nix’s Draft Stock]

A report earlier this month suggested the Broncos not taking Nix at No. 12 could precede a Will Levis-like freefall that could end with the 24-year-old QB tumbling out of the first round. But Denver has been tied to Nix since early February. The recent Pac-12 star could become a safety play for the Broncos, who have been linked to bigger-game hunting.

A report last week suggested Payton is ready to make a big splash — in a deal that could involve the team trading future high picks and/or Patrick Surtain — and move up the board for a passer he covets. J.J. McCarthy is believed to be a Broncos target, and a Wednesday report indicated other teams do indeed believe the Broncos could stomach parting with Surtain — and potentially other veterans on expiring contracts — if the prize is a quarterback near the top of the draft. These rumors suddenly make this one of the most important drafts in modern Broncos history.

The Broncos might not need to use No. 12 on Nix, potentially being able to trade down — which would help a team that gave up its 2024 second-rounder to obtain Payton’s rights from the Saints last year — and still acquire him. This would mean standing down on McCarthy or Drake Maye but would ensure Surtain stays a Bronco. The All-Pro corner now has two years remaining on his rookie contract, thanks to the Broncos picking up his fifth-year option; extension talks are tentatively expected to begin post-draft. That is, of course, if Surtain remains on Denver’s roster after tonight.

Breer’s mock draft does not send Nix to Denver, rather slotting tight end Brock Bowers at No. 12, though Peter Schrager’s final NFL.com offering this year does. Denver may not be the only potential landing spot. Nix visited the Giants (No. 6), Raiders (No. 13) and Seahawks (No. 16) and worked out for the Vikings (No. 11). While Minnesota has been perhaps the most consistently rumored team to trade into the top five for a passer, Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson points to a scenario in which the Vikings stand down and wait — with Nix as a target.

If the Patriots draft Maye at No. 3 — as they are likely to do, barring a monster trade offer — a source informed Robinson the Vikings would be comfortable staying at No. 11 and selecting Nix. That range is viewed as high for Nix, whom some teams have graded as a second-round talent, but QB needs annually drive up the values of passing prospects. The Vikings also have a strong receiving corps that would help a player like Nix.

The Vikings, whom Schrager has trading up (via the Titans at No. 7) for McCarthy, being in play for Nix could produce a scenario in which the Broncos miss out on both the Michigan and Oregon arms. This may well hinge on the Giants’ interest in McCarthy, which is either waning or being covered up in a smokescreen effort.

If the Giants do not take a quarterback and the Vikings are comfortable waiting, McCarthy or Nix would stand to be available for the Broncos — that is, unless the Raiders or a sleeper team leapfrogs them. Teams are doubting Las Vegas will pull the trigger on such a move if Jayden Daniels is not the target. A Daniels-Antonio Pierce reunion is viewed as highly unlikely, with the 2023 Heisman winner on track to go to Washington.

Denver has Jarrett Stidham and Monday trade pickup Zach Wilson on the roster, but this depth chart would not generate much optimism ahead of Payton’s second Denver season. It is also not expected to impede a Broncos quest to add a long-term option tonight. Which QB will the team end up with to replace Russell Wilson?

Raiders, Cardinals Have Discussed No. 4; Las Vegas Unlikely To Move Up For Non-Jayden Daniels QB?

April 25th, 2024 at 8:27am CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders are known to have contacted the Commanders and Chargers about the Nos. 2 and 5 overall picks. It should then come as no surprise to hear the Silver and Black have reached out about the Cardinals‘ No. 4 selection as well.

Arizona has heard from Las Vegas about No. 4, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. The Cardinals are both setting a high price on their pick and not believed to want to move too far down the board. The Raiders holding No. 13 would complicate this, as it has complicated their long-rumored effort to climb to No. 2 for Jayden Daniels. With the LSU alum (and ex-Antonio Pierce Arizona State charge) likely out of reach, the Raiders’ path has become murky.

Teams view the Raiders as unlikely to move up for a non-Daniels quarterback, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds. Las Vegas made Daniels the centerpiece of a trade-up effort likely doomed by the 2023 edition’s strong finish. Pierce’s run as interim HC landed him the full-time job — as the first NFL interim boss to move to regular duty in seven years — but it also dropped the Raiders to an unfavorable draft slot. The team has been connected to Michael Penix Jr. as well, and mock drafts have indeed reflected this interest. Penix’s potential late rise aside, the Raiders may not need to trade up if they truly want the Washington standout.

Daniels has made it clear he is prepared to play for whichever team drafts him, but the dual-threat standout appears to have two destinations ranked above the team he will likely end up with by tonight. The 2023 Heisman winner, “in a dream world,” would end up with either the Raiders or Vikings, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required). The Vikings also have been linked to interest in trading up for Daniels, and Minnesota — having made no secret, via actions and comments, about interest in acquiring a first-round QB this year — may be comfortable with more QBs compared to most teams.

In the Raiders’ locker room after their Week 18 win over the Broncos, Daniels has been linked to wanting to be a Raider for a bit as well. These hopes are not expected to deter the Commanders, who have been tied to the five-year college QB for a bit now. While Washington has Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy fans in the building as well, GM Adam Peters is believed to be high on Daniels, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adds.

The Commanders’ QB stance may also have changed as the pre-draft process dragged on. The team was believed to have been moving toward choosing Maye before the Senior Bowl, pro days and Combine, Howe adds.

It is unclear what changed the new Washington regime’s mind, as Daniels did not work out at the Combine or his pro day. The two passers famously visited, along with McCarthy and Penix, together earlier this month (Topfolf was also involved). The pre-draft circuit looks to have sold the new Washington personnel boss on Daniels, who enjoyed a far better 2023 season compared to Maye, who is more than two years younger. Peters was heavily involved in the 49ers’ call to draft Trey Lance in 2021; tonight represents a shot at redemption for the first-time GM.

One exec informed Howe he would not rule out a Daniels slide past No. 2. That scenario would add more intrigue to this draft’s expected QB-centric start, as the Patriots and Cardinals’ picks would suddenly become more valuable if Daniels were still on the board. But the purveying view hours away from Round 1 is Daniels is ticketed for D.C. This stands to leave the Pats with a Maye-McCarthy debate; both QBs are believed to have backers in Foxborough.

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM): Exercised
  2. QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM): Declined
  3. QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM): Declined
  4. TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM): Exercised
  5. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): Exercised
  7. T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
  8. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM): Exercised
  9. CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
  10. WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
  11. QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): Declined
  12. DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
  13. T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM): Exercised
  14. OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM): Exercised
  15. QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM): Declined
  16. LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM): Declined
  17. T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
  18. LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): Exercised
  19. LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
  20. WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM): Declined
  21. DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM): Exercised
  22. CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM): Declined
  23. T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM): Exercised
  24. RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Declined
  25. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM): Exercised
  26. CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM): To be exercised
  27. WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): N/A; extended through 2026
  28. DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM): Declined
  29. CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM): Declined
  30. DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM): Exercised
  31. LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM): Exercised
  32. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM): Declined

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

Latest On Giants’ WR Interest; Team Considering Michael Penix Jr. At No. 6?

April 24th, 2024 at 10:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

If the Giants do end up passing on a quarterback to fill their longstanding wide receiver need, Daniel Jones probably should not be too comfortable going into his sixth season with the team. New York has done exhaustive work on this draft’s QB class, and rumors continue on this front with the draft barely a day away.

Drake Maye is believed to be the Giants’ preference among the top-tier options in this draft, with ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano further confirming the North Carolina prospect should be considered higher on the team’s board than J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan product was believed to have momentum with the Giants for a while; that surge appears to have stalled.

The Giants join the Vikings as the teams who have been most aggressive about negotiating with the Patriots for No. 3 overall, per Graziano, who adds an interesting wrinkle. While Maye being there at 3 (as he is expected to in the likely event Washington chooses Jayden Daniels at 2) would drive Giants interest, the team also could be open to drafting Michael Penix Jr. as high as No. 6.

The Giants like Penix, though the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard notes they did not bring him in for a “30” visit. Maye, McCarthy and Daniels did trek to New York for official meetings. This is interesting due to a March report indicating the team did, in fact, schedule a visit with the Washington product.

Penix at 6 would be seen by many as a reach, given the knocks on his health and mechanics, but coaches are believed to be higher on the former Washington and Indiana QB compared to scouts. A report earlier this week also pointed to the southpaw passer going earlier than expected — perhaps even as high as No. 8 to the Falcons. Though it would be shocking to see the Falcons invest what they did in Kirk Cousins and then use a first-round pick on a passer, it is looking possible Penix could wind up in the top half of the first round. Teams eyeing the national championship game starter as a consolation prize — potentially via trade into the latter half of Round 1 — may not ultimately be able to execute such a contingency plan.

While not bringing Penix in for a visit, the Giants appear comfortable with his medicals. Penix suffered four straight season-ending injuries, before putting together back-to-back healthy seasons at Washington. Giants brass had dinner with Penix in Seattle, per Leonard, and QBs coach Shea Tierney worked with him closely at the Senior Bowl while serving as an offensive coordinator in the all-star game. Some teams have a second-round grade on Penix, others likely view him as an acceptable Round 1 option.

It does appear Penix looms as a potential Giants contingency plan, in the event efforts to move into the top four fail. However, the Giants also could have a Maye-or-bust (at QB, at least) approach in place. Most teams believe the Giants would pivot to staying at No. 6 and drafting a wide receiver if Maye proves out of their reach, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds.

Ranking last in the NFL in yards after catch last season and not seeing anyone accumulate 1,000 receiving yards since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018 (Eli Manning‘s final starter year), the Giants have certainly done extensive work on this draft’s top WRs. A recent report pointed to the team eyeing Malik Nabers at 6, though The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adds the team has shown “real interest” in Marvin Harrison Jr. Of course, the Cardinals have been closely tied to the Ohio State prospect; Arizona would stand to have first WR dibs if it does not trade down from No. 4. Howe still mocks Maye to the Patriots and McCarthy to the Giants.

Maye going to New England would seemingly test how serious Joe Schoen and Co. are about finding a Jones replacement. Jones going into a sixth season as an unchallenged starter would be one of this era’s stranger examples of QB staying power, but the Giants could also finally equip their embattled QB with a high-level pass catcher for the first time if they stay at 6. A major decision will loom for the team once the Commanders turn in their pick. Both the Patriots and Cardinals are prepared to discuss trades up to going on the clock.

Broncos, Raiders, Vikings Contact Chargers About No. 5; Bolts Eager To Move Down?

April 24th, 2024 at 10:35am CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers have engaged in discussions about trading down from No. 5 overall, and that may well be the new Bolts regime’s goal. Other teams believe the Chargers are eager to move down in Round 1, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.

As far as who would trade up, two AFC West clubs are checking in on what would be a high-profile intra-division transaction. The Broncos and Raiders have called to see about moving up to 5, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Vikings have also discussed trade terms with the Bolts (subscription required). Both Fowler and Russini point to the Chargers’ O-line interest in this draft, adding to an offseason full of buzz about this direction for Jim Harbaugh‘s team.

While the Bolts are clearly open for business at 5, Russini adds the team is setting a high price. The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders sit at Nos. 11-13; each team could need to part with a future first-rounder to make the climb up (presumably for a quarterback). Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick (No. 23) last month, but some around the league believe the NFC North team is trying to avoid parting with both selections to move up, Fowler adds. It would be rather surprising to see the Vikings secure a trade into the top five without needing to include No. 23, especially with that Texans trade costing the Vikes their 2024 second-rounder.

It would be interesting if the Chargers would be willing to deal with the Broncos or Raiders, given the divisional ties, but a weekend report indicated Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz would be open to doing so. Recent draft moves in the NFC North have revealed more flexibility regarding intra-division deals in the early rounds, but the Bolts handing the Broncos or Raiders a potential long-term quarterback solution would mark interesting territory in draft annals. With two of the QB-needy teams in this draft residing in the AFC West, however, the Chargers may not have a choice.

Of course, the Cardinals figure to determine how popular the Bolts’ No. 5 pick will be. Arizona has engaged in trade discussions as well, hearing from four teams (it does not seem to difficult to guess that quartet, with the Giants also exploring a move up the board for a QB) and receiving at least two offers thus far. The Cards trading out of No. 4 and giving a team QB access would stand to give the Bolts their pick of the best non-passers in this draft.

Despite having moved on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers have been connected to Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. But they also are being tied to Alabama tackle JC Latham. Bolts-Latham connections, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, would seemingly come into play if the team traded down. Latham operated as the Crimson Tide’s starting right tackle for the past two seasons, and the accomplished blocker could fill that post for the Bolts, who do not need a left tackle due to Rashawn Slater‘s presence.

Both the Titans (No. 7) and Bengals (No. 18) have shown interest in Latham as well, according to Breer and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who indicates teams view the prospect as a player who could play multiple positions along the O-line. Latham sits 18th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board.

Cincinnati likes Latham “a lot” and needs a right tackle, with Trent Brown in place as a potential one-year stopgap. The Titans have a bigger need on the left side, having moved on from Andre Dillard after one season. If Alt is there for Tennessee at 7, however, enough connections to this point suggest that is the All-American LT’s floor. If Alt is gone by 7, the Titans may well consider trading down, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Latham (or one of this class’ many other quality tackle prospects) would come into play for the LT-needy club in that scenario.

Vikings High On Drake Maye; Latest On Giants’ Interest

April 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Bears all but certain to start the draft with Caleb Williams and the Commanders pointing toward taking Jayden Daniels at No. 2, the Patriots have the inside track to Drake Maye. If the Pats felt comfortable enough with the two-year North Carolina starter, trade buzz would be moot.

Three days away from the draft, however, trade noise persists around New England. De facto GM Eliot Wolf has held trade talks (with Jonathan Kraft a key part of the process), and other teams have been connected to having Maye interest. The Pats also have fans of both Maye and J.J. McCarthy in the building, opening the door to another team snagging the ex-Tar Heel.

The Vikings may well covet Maye more than the Patriots do, with the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin believing Minnesota wants Maye more than New England. New Vikings QBs coach Josh McCown mentored Maye in high school, and the Sam Howell North Carolina successor worked out for the team recently.

That said, the Vikings’ trade-up quest may not be a Maye-or-bust mission. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team is comfortable with multiple QBs, echoing remarks the 49ers made when they traded up for Trey Lance in 2021. The third-year Minnesota GM may have been genuine here, as SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the Vikings do appear more comfortable with a larger swath of this year’s QB prospects compared to other teams. This is due to the pieces the team has in place. While the QB who lands in New England will not have an upper-tier skill-position corps to work with and will be going to a team without a left tackle answer (as of now), the Vikings employ Pro Bowl LT Christian Darrisaw to go with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

Minnesota has also been connected to a trade-up effort with Arizona at No. 4; among the three teams that have contacted the Cardinals about their pick, it is safe to assume Adofo-Mensah and Monti Ossenfort have spoken regarding a trade. The Vikings have Sam Darnold in place as a bridge, but ownership may well be pushing for a post-Kirk Cousins long-term answer this year. This would make Darnold a candidate to be benched early in the season, given how teams usually proceed with first-round arms.

If the Patriots are truly willing to let go of No. 3, an acquiring team would then have its pick of Maye or McCarthy. And the Vikings will not be the only team high on Maye. While McCarthy-Giants smoke has emerged, they are believed to be higher on Maye. In fact, Breer adds Maye leads the way in Giants connections “by far.” It has been trending this way for a bit now, though a smokescreen-season disclaimer obviously comes with draft rumors.

The Giants insist they have not given up on Daniel Jones — no benefit would come by indicating otherwise at this point — but they have done extensive work on this year’s QB class to the point NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah questions whether this Giants regime does still believe Jones can be a long-term option.

These teams are only part of the equation regarding a trade-up, with the Broncos linked to showing heavy interest in moving up the board to fix their Russell Wilson mistake. Denver’s Zach Wilson acquisition is unlikely to convince teams it is out of the running for a first-round QB. As of Monday, however, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter said (during a Pat McAfee Show segment) the Vikings and Giants have expressed the most interest in moving up for a passer.

Schefter notes the Vikings lead the way in an effort to acquire the Patriots’ No. 3 overall pick, while the Giants check in behind them in terms of interest in that move. Maye would stand to begin the season as a backup in New England, New York or Minnesota. Each has a bridge option in place, with Jones slightly overqualified for that title.

Setting a high asking price, Patriots have been viewed as most likely to stay at 3 and make their QB choice, but Schefter adds they are not as likely to stick in their draft slot compared to the Commanders. Although Maye’s game has generated scrutiny — after his 2023 season did not match his 2022 work — he brings prototypical size and, at 21, supplies upside. His landing spot will be one of this draft’s top storylines.

J.J. McCarthy Latest: Giants, Jones, Vikings, Patriots

April 19th, 2024 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Insistent they have not given up on Daniel Jones, the Giants have still put in plenty of work on drafting his potential replacement. Holding the No. 6 overall pick, the Giants may need to move up to land the passer of their choice.

One such passer may be losing steam with regards to being the target of a trade-up maneuver. The Giants do not appear to be in lockstep on being ready to trade up for J.J. McCarthy, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano tweets. The Giants have met with McCarthy and put him through a separate workout.

They been linked to the Michigan passer for a while, but it is possible — barring, of course, a smokescreen effort is in the works — the extensive homework has led to the team determining the fast-rising QB is not who they would want. On the subject of smokescreens, multiple late-March reports point to the Giants indeed being interested in McCarthy. One suggested many around the NFL believe the ex-Wolverines standout would be Big Blue’s target.

This Giants pre-draft process, from Jones’ murky future to their QB-or-WR decision, has become quite confusing. Vacchiano expects the Giants to stay at No. 6 and draft a wide receiver; they brought in this class’ top three options for visits in March.

Recent ties to Drake Maye have come out of New York, and it is possible the team has the North Carolina prospect — who has resided on or near the top QB tier much longer than McCarthy — graded higher. Adding to this, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said recently (h/t Big Blue View) if the Vikings are not the McCarthy team near the top of the draft, he does not necessarily know who would be.

The Vikings, of course, would need to trade up from No. 11 to move within striking distance of this draft’s top QBs. They appear ready to do so. Minnesota’s desired QB is not known, though GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team would be OK with multiple options in this draft, calling this a “very deep class.” The Vikings, however, only have a placeholder QB — in Sam Darnold — while the Giants have Jones signed through 2026.

Year 1 of Jones’ second contract went poorly, even before the ACL tear, leading to this exhaustive research effort on locating a potential replacement. The Giants can break free of Jones’ contract with less than $12MM in dead money — in the event of a post-June 1 cut — next year. While Giants GM Joe Schoen called a report of the team having Jones buyer’s remorse “not true,” Jeremiah added during a recent TV appearance he believes the Giants are doing entirely too much work on QBs for the team to be committed to Jones moving forward.

Jeremiah suggested a Patriots-Giants swap, indicating the Patriots — who are believed to be high on McCarthy — could get what they want by moving down. That said, the Pats sliding from 3 to 6 would leave them vulnerable to missing out on the draft’s top four arms. The Cardinals and Chargers have both indicated they are open to trading out of Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, and Los Angeles has already entered talks about moving down. This complicates matters for the QB-needy (or QB-curious, in the Giants’ case) teams outside the top four.

Coming off a national championship, McCarthy has seen his accuracy, leadership and run in Jim Harbaugh‘s pro-style system move him up the board during the pre-draft process. Though, he has also been docked for lower-octane numbers when compared to the other QBs at or near the top of the 2024 crop. It still seems like McCarthy will end up on the Patriots, Giants, Vikings or Broncos, as Jeremiah does not see him sliding past No. 12 (Denver’s slot). But the Giants may not be the favorite to come away from this draft with the 21-year-old prospect.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/18/24

April 18th, 2024 at 7:21pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

  • Placed on exempt/international list: OT Kilian Zierer

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Placed on exempt/international list: DL Basil Okoye

Minnesota Vikings

San Francisco 49ers

  • Placed on exempt/international list: OT Isaac Alarcon

Each team is allowed an extra practice squad spot in 2024 if they carry an international player. By placing a player on the exempt/international list, these teams are all but declaring which international player they’re choosing to roster next season.

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