Vikings trade up 1 spot to get J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot with the New York Jets to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall.

The Vikings sent their No. 11 overall pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 129), and a fifth-round pick (No. 157) for the 10th overall selection and a sixth-round pick (No. 203).

McCarthy was the fifth quarterback selected in the top 10, following Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix.

The signal-caller led Michigan to a national championship in his final year of college football.

McCarthy will be expected to succeed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who left Minnesota to sign with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The Vikings also added Sam Darnold to their quarterback room in free agency.

Pre-draft profile

McCarthy is a polarizing prospect. On one hand, it’s easy to understand why he gets so much love from Michigan fans (and Jim Harbaugh). Winning is the name of the game, after all. For anyone wanting more in terms of production, however, he can be a bit of a tough sell. But is that his fault? McCarthy manages the pocket well, demonstrating an ability to navigate pressure and extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield. He has the athleticism to make things happen outside the pocket, maintaining his passing efficiency on the move and posing a threat to pick up yards with his legs. He’s also one of the few quarterbacks in this class who consistently attacks over the middle of the field. But his processing and timing are still a work in progress, and his ball placement isn't quite as good as his completion percentage might suggest. McCarthy, much like Brock Purdy, could very well become a star in a Shanahan-style offense. He may not be for everyone, though.