In what is becoming a popular prediction, FantasyPros writer Thor Nystrom has the Minnesota Vikings trading up in his latest mock draft to grab a quarterback. That quarterback, perhaps unsurprisingly, is former Michigan product J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy, who Nystrom compared to a former Minnesota Vikings (among others) quarterback, Rich Gannon, has become a popular selection for the Vikings as the draft season has gone on and McCarthy has reportedly risen up draft boards.
In order to land McCarthy, Nystrom has the Vikings trading with the Los Angeles Chargers to move up to the five spot. Nystrom has the Vikings moving their 2025 first-round pick to make the trade work. For the Chargers part, Nystrom has them moving down to 11 and still landing Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who has been a popular pick for them as well.
Nystrom doesn’t provide additional details on the trade-up scenario, but it’s likely that a trade up to the top 5 would cost the Vikings more than simply a first-round pick in next year’s draft. However, it’s an easy decision if that’s all it takes to get the potential next franchise quarterback.
