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NFL Teams on J.J. McCarthy Draft Landing Spots: QB 'a Good Fit' for Vikings, Broncos

Adam Wells

As speculation about where J.J. McCarthy will be selected in the 2024 NFL draft continues, clubs around the league see two potential landing spots as prime fits for the Michigan quarterback.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the 21-year-old is considered a "good fit" for either the Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos.

The Vikings are an obvious good landing spot for any of the top quarterbacks in the class. Their top three pass-catchers are Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. They have a strong offensive line that ranked third pass-block win rate last season, per ESPN.com.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell is regarded as one of the best play-callers in the league. All of the pieces are in place for a young quarterback to step in and have success right away without having to carry the offense.

Other than having head coach Sean Payton's play-calling expertise, the Broncos don't exactly stand out as a great situation to drop a young quarterback into. Their receiver room currently features Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr. and Tim Patrick, who hasn't played since the 2021 season due to a torn ACL and torn Achilles.

Denver's offensive line did rank in the top 10 in pass- and run-block win rate last season, per ESPN.com. But that unit lost starting center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency when he signed with the Tennessee Titans. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey was responsible for nearly 30 percent of the team's total pressures allowed in 2023.

The Broncos also don't have the draft capital this year to surround a rookie quarterback with dynamic players, especially if they have to trade up for McCarthy in the first round. They have seven picks in the 2024 draft, but five of them are between rounds five and six. They only have two of the first 120 selections, with their second-rounder going to the New Orleans Saints as part of the Payton trade.

Payton is one of the smartest offensive minds in NFL history. He could certainly find a way to help out a young quarterback, but the roster around that player doesn't look very favorable right now.

   

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