2024 NFL Draft Report: Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell Forgo Michigan Pro Day for Exclusive Workout with J.J. McCarthy

While JJ McCarthy might not be the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he is sure to get what he wants ahead of April 25. Several heavyweight giants are chasing after J.J. McCarthy ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The mix is competitive, with teams like the Raiders, the Seahawks, and even the Giants. However, it’s the Minnesota Vikings who are getting the upper hand against all the McCarthy competitors.

Per the latest intel, the Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Keven O’Connell abandoned their chance to attend the Pro-Day at Ann Arbour, only because they had bagged something way more treasurable to them. An exclusive day of workouts with JJ McCarthy.

The QB is set to hold a private workout session with the Vikings, which will go exactly as per the specific routine requested by him. It’s a big deal for the Vikings ahead of the 2024 NFL draft to secure an exclusive day with their prospect, giving them the ultimate chance to convince him to stay with the Vikings if they pick him as their first-round pick on their 11th pick. On the other hand, it’s a win-win situation for McCarthy since he is getting a chance with one of the NFL heavyweights on his terms.

The Vikings struck a trade with Texas this Friday, which enabled them to make the No. 23 pick in the first round as well. This will empower the team more to dare to make a pick from the top 5 QB league. Caleb Williams is out of the equation, but they are gauging their possibilities for Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels through their conversation with commanders and Patriots.

Yet McCarthy looks like the perfect fit for O’Connell’s offense. Hence, the Vikings allegedly taking a chance with McCarthy seems highly unlikely, especially after his Scouting Combine performance.

JJ McCarthy’s Scouting Scores

While Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell skipped the Pro Day, quarterbacks Josh McCown and Grant Udinski gave their presence to assess McCarthy’s throws. While the QB coming off an undefeated season surely earned him brownie points, his agility tests at the NFL Combine last week set him up as one of the elites.

McCarthy’s 3-cone drill time, 6.82 seconds, was tied for the sixth-best at the Combine and the best for the QB. While he did not get to run the all-important 40-yard dash or attempt any jumps because of hamstring tightness, he relentlessly flaunted his velocity when making the hardest throw to be recorded by QBs. McCarthy scored at 61 mph, the second-best mark behind former Tennessee signal-caller Joe Milton III.

READ ALSO: NFL Combine: J.J. McCarthy Suffers Concerning Setback, Set to Miss 40 Yard Dash and Jump

His arm strength won hearts, and the downfield touch erased all questions surrounding him. As a QB, McCarthy might need some patience, but his NFL Combine scores displayed his true potential to be an NFL star. Now, his Pro-Day scores will decide whether the narrative around him will glorify or degrade further.

READ MORE: J.J. McCarthy Finishes Interviews With 6 NFL Giants, Expected to Take Huge Call Tomorrow