The Minnesota Vikings have performed some moves in this year’s NFL Draft that have set the stage for some drama. The latest acquisitions of the Vikes include Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their No.10 pick and Alabama Crimson Tide edge rusher, Dallas Turner. Yes, you can guess how tense the situation will be at the City of Lakes, enough to create a high tide!

This collaboration freshens up the memory of both the fandoms from a few months back at the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the possession did not come easy as the Vikings had to trade up for the second time in the first round.  

Twice trade-up, lucky or unlucky?

Trading up seems to be the magic mantra for Minnesota in this year’s NFL Draft. Kevin O’Connell and Co. traded up one spot in the first round to land up the young man behind the Wolverines national championship, McCarthy. He was taken as No. 10 overall as the Vikings joined hands with the New York Jets and traded to move up one spot as early as in the first round. This was not the end as the Vikes gave up a fourth-round pick (No.129 overall) and a fifth-round pick (No.157 overall).

To spice things up within their roster, they intended to do something around their latest quarterback position. Knowing the tension that McCarthy shared with Turner, it was obvious that O’Connell would draft the edge rusher by hook or crook. As planned and implemented, Turner was selected with the 17th overall pick by Minnesota. Finally, the Vikings traded from pick No.23 with the Jacksonville Jaguars to bring in the Crimson Tide defender.  

Minnesota saves a place for McCarthy-Hunter tension within the program

McCarthy and Hunter have been the flagbearers of the rivalry that exists between Michigan and Alabama. This year’s Rose Bowl marked to be the peak of the opposition. The Wolverines quarterback went 27-1 [15-0 last season] as a starter and capped his career with a National Championship win over Alabama. However, Turner tried every possible way to knock down McCarthy.

The edge rusher was credited with the team’s only sack that he performed to bring the opponent quarterback giant under control. He attempted to get him once, pinning McCarthy to the ground near the Michigan’s sideline. But the quarterback made an impressive comeback completing three passes for 50 yards. This further added to Turner’s exasperation. However, later on in an interview the player gave his justification behind the act of sacking McCarthy, “I don’t always rush the quarterback. Why? I don’t know. I just do what I’m told.” 

Hence, an interesting time lies ahead of the Minnesota Vikings. Carrying forward a history of rivalry, will this opportunity push McCarthy and Hunter off to the edge and bring out the best in them? Or instead of deriving the fruits of the rivalry, the program will be ravaged in the flames of their opposition? Let your opinion pour in!