Mel Kiper 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Vikings Trade for McCarthy, Broncos Snub QB in Round 1

The hype for J.J. McCarthy potentially ending up with the Minnesota Vikings continues to grow after Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft on Wednesday.

ESPN's NFL draft guru projected the Vikings to trade picks No. 11 and 23 this year, along with a 2025 first-rounder, to the Los Angeles Chargers for the fifth selection to take Michigan's quarterback:

"At this point in the process, based on everything I've heard, I don't think the Vikings can afford to wait until No. 11 if they want one of the top four quarterbacks. They're going to have to trade up. Are they giving up too much? It's certainly possible. But if they believe McCarthy can be their long-term Kirk Cousins replacement, shouldn't they be OK with sending out their 2025 first-rounder?"

There are three things that seem to be certain at this point in the pre-draft cycle: Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Bears, the Tennessee Titans will select an offensive lineman at No. 7, and the Vikings will trade up for a quarterback.

Minnesota certainly seems to be telegraphing it wants to move up. The team acquired a second first-round pick this year from the Houston Texans on March 15.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported in his mock draft released last week the Vikings are "very interested" in McCarthy.

Another quarterback-needy team is the Denver Broncos, but Kiper didn't project them to take a signal-caller with the 12th pick. He did admit to thinking "hard" about the possibility of them selecting Bo Nix, but talked himself out of it because he doesn't consider the Oregon quarterback to be a first-round prospect.

Nix, to his credit, made a pitch to Payton during a recent appearance on the RG3 and the Ones podcast.

Kiper had the Broncos take Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. This would probably be a more responsible pick, but Sean Payton doesn't necessarily seem like he cares about that if there's a quarterback available who he likes.

It would definitely be a surprise if the Broncos didn't come out of the draft with a quarterback at some point. Their current depth chart features Jarrett Stidham as the starter and Ben DiNucci backing him up.