ESPN's Todd McShay is the latest to predict the Minnesota Vikings to select a quarterback with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the Minnesota Vikings deciding not to extend Kirk Cousins this offseason, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are currently the only two quarterbacks that will be under contract with the team in 2024.
Knowing this, it shouldn't be too surprising that most of the notable early 2024 mock drafts have the Vikings using their top pick to select a quarterback.
The latest example of this comes from ESPN's Todd McShay, who has Minnesota selecting current Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings pick Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy in Todd McShay's early 2024 mock draft
As a junior last season, McCarthy completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 14 games. His performance helped lead Michigan to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the 2022 College Football Playoff.
McShay believes McCarthy could end up with the Vikings in 2024, not only because of Cousins' potential departure, but also due to the young passing prospect's intriguing "6-foot-3 frame, running ability, accuracy and arm talent."
McCarthy is now just one of multiple college quarterbacks that have been mocked to Minnesota since the end of the 2023 NFL Draft. And unless the Vikings extend Cousins before the start of the upcoming regular season, don't expect these quarterback predictions for Minnesota in 2024 to disappear anytime soon.