2024 NFL Draft Odds: Vikings Favored to Secure JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. in Upcoming Draft

With the 2024 NFL Draft almost around the corner, the odds regarding the elite collegiate players are flaring up. The top seeds in the league are hot on their heels, chasing behind the top projected first-round overall picks. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are some QBs who are predicted the most to be first-round picks. Who is questionable, on the other hand, is Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. The QB carries the best of the praise from his head coach, and the worst of the criticism from the analysts with him in the NFL draft. His performance in the 2024 NFL Scouting garnered a two-faceted opinion as well.

However, given that McCarthy is fresh off a National Championship, he is still expected to be a pick that some teams might fight over. One most probable among these, who has the most odds to secure McCarthy, is the Vikings, per VikingzFanPage. The Vikings, along with JJ McCarthy, are also seen as the top landing spot for Washington’s QB Michael Penix Jr., a QB who saw some laudable action in the 2023 season, along with JJ McCarthy.

The Vikings have set a realistic target for the season, knowing all too well that targets like Caleb Williams would be too tough to get their hands on. Well, they had a smirk on their face when they called McCarthy and Penix to square off once again, following their ultimate National Championship clash. Per SI, McCarthy is at No. 11 while Penix Jr. is at No. 42 in this draft, a tough competition for the franchise. Seems that the initial talks between the parties went well since both McCarthy and Penix Jr. had nothing but nice things to say about the Vikings.

JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. on Vikings

Amidst the several visits that he had had with practically most top seeds in the 2024 NFL draft, McCarthy was most stunned by Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “Everything about what they wanted out of a quarterback, it’s something that aligns with what I want. Just being able to get on the board with them, have them go through their plays, it was something really special, and I enjoyed it,” McCarthy said to Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling.

Although McCarthy’s growing draft board popularity might be something that could make him the more unachievable among the two for the Vikings. With teams like the Bears, Buccs, Patriots, Giants, and Raiders being interested in him, the possibility of him not being available till the No. 11 pick comes off a tad too strong. However, McCarthy’s arm talent will prove to be a plus point on the Vikings’ roster.

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Well, the Heisman finalist Penix Jr. is also expected as a borderline first or second-round pick, per SI. “I feel like that’s a good organization over there. I feel like they show a lot of good things. They’ve got a lot of good players as well. I felt very confident in that meeting,” Penix Jr. said about his meeting with the Vikings. So who do you think the Vikings would land amidst the 2024 Draft Day tussle?

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