Mel Kiper Jr., Daniel Jeremiah unveil post-free agency mock drafts: Vikings going QB in both

Only 37 days until the rumors and speculation are replaced with reality.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Mar 19, 2024 9:34 AM EDT

Is it a coincidence that two of the most respect NFL Draft analysts both have the Vikings selecting quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round on April 25?

It very well could be, but Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah both unveiled their post-free agency mock drafts on Tuesday and both have Minnesota taking the former Michigan quarterback. Kiper, however, didn't project any trades in his mock while Jeremiah did – and the logic after the Vikings traded for Houston's first-round pick (23rd overall) is that Minnesota could package their two first-rounders to move into the top five.

Let's start with Jeremiah's mock. He has quarterbacks going 1-2-3-4 to start the draft, with Caleb Williams to the Bears at No. 1, Drake Maye to the Commanders at No. 2, Jayden Daniels to the Patriots at No. 3 and then McCarthy to the Vikings at No. 4 after moving up in a trade with the Cardinals.

"After their recent trade with the Texans, it seems the Vikings are situated to aggressively move up to draft Kirk Cousins’ replacement," Jeremiah explains. "The Cardinals trade down, bypassing a chance to pick the first receiver off the board, but they address the position later in Round 1."

Kiper calls the Vikings "the most interesting team in this draft" because they have picks 11 and 23. He, however, wonders how far they will be able to trade up.

"They just acquired another first-round pick in a deal with the Texans (No. 23), giving them the capital to move up and take a quarterback if they got the opportunity. But how far could they move up? Remember, it takes two sides to make a trade. Would the Giants want to risk missing out on one of the top receivers? Would the Titans want to risk missing out on their preferred tackle? Would the Falcons or Bears want to risk not getting the edge rusher they like? There's not an easy match, unless Minnesota is willing to give up a lot of future picks, which is certainly possible," Kiper says.

Kiper also wrote in his mock that he could see the Patriots trading back from No. 3, noting that "Las Vegas, Denver, Minnesota could be options" to move up and take a quarterback.