Vikings NFL Draft Targets: Could J.J. McCarthy Go Ahead of Drake Maye?
By Will Ragatz
For months now, it has been presumed that Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, in either order, will be the two players selected after Caleb Williams in the top three of this year's NFL draft. But what if that's not the case?
It's always difficult to know what to believe during the pre-draft season, but it's at least worth noting that there has been plenty of buzz about the league being quite high on J.J. McCarthy. Though he's usually projected as the QB4, it would not be shocking to see the Michigan product and national title winner jump ahead of Daniels or Maye and into the top three. According to BetOnline, McCarthy is +250 to be the third overall pick.
If either Daniels or Maye was going to fall, the latter seems more likely. Whereas Daniels continues to be the projected second overall pick, there are some analysts who believe Maye's inconsistency could give teams pause. A pair of recent CBS Sports mock drafts, one from Pete Prisco and one from Chris Trapasso, have the Patriots taking McCarthy at 3 and the Vikings trading up to get Maye at 5.
Prisco: "The Patriots will decide between Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy in this spot, and I think it will be McCarthy. That's way too high for him in my eyes, but the word is the Pats really like him."
Trapasso: "At this point we shouldn't be shocked if J.J. McCarthy goes ahead of Drake Maye."
The Vikings, who are reportedly big fans of Maye, would likely be thrilled if the top four picks end up being Williams, Daniels, McCarthy, and Marvin Harrison Jr. in a couple weeks. That would give them the opportunity to call the Chargers and offer picks 11 and 23, plus a future middle-round pick as a sweetener, to move up to five and get their guy.
Maye to Minnesota just feels like a perfect fit. He has plenty to work on, but he'd be joining a coaching staff with Kevin O'Connell, Wes Phillips, and Josh McCown (who famously coached him in high school). He could sit behind Sam Darnold for some or all of his rookie season while he learns and develops. And whenever he took over the starting role, he'd be throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson behind an offensive line with two outstanding tackles. Maye's size, athleticism, and arm talent give him as much upside as any quarterback in this draft.
I remain skeptical about the likelihood of McCarthy being taken ahead of Maye, but it does seem like something that could legitimately happen.
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