5 prospects the Vikings should avoid in the 2024 NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
The Minnesota Vikings are locked into the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Who are some prospects that Minnesota should avoid throughout the draft?
The Minnesota Vikings finished their season with a record of 7-10, which slots them into the 11th selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There will be some conversations about the future of the quarterback position for the Vikings, with Kirk Cousins set to hit free agency this spring. Whether they decide to draft a quarterback early or not, there are plenty of other holes to fill on this roster as well.
Minnesota has to find value where they can, and that sometimes results in good players being passed over in favor of filling a need.
Certain prospects will be in play with the 11th overall pick and potentially others if the Vikings decide to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks.
However, which 2024 prospects should Minnesota avoid at all costs this year?
Prospect the Vikings should avoid No. 1
J.J. McCarthy - QB (Michigan)
J.J. McCarthy led the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season that was capped off with a National Championship victory over Washington.
The 20-year-old quarterback has risen quite a bit in recent mock drafts, but he is still distanced from the top quarterbacks in this class.
McCarthy is not going to land within my top 50 prospects, so even if he is selected with Minnesota's second-round pick, it would be a bit rich for me.
While he has the age and upside that some of the other prospects lack, McCarthy has never really taken over a game as a passer.
Michigan made life easy for McCarthy by running the ball at will and opening up the passing game once defenses adjusted to limit the run.
If the Vikings had an established run game, this may be an entirely different situation for McCarthy to walk into.
However, Minnesota has not run the ball well over the past two seasons and needs a quarterback who can take over games through the air.
He threw for fewer than 200 yards in seven of his 15 games this season and had just four touchdown passes over his final seven games of the season.