A New Top Contender has Emerged for J.J. McCarthy in the NFL Draft.

Sean Payton might have identified his preferred quarterback for the Denver Broncos, but the question remains: will Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy still be available when the Orange and Blue make their selection?

According to oddsmakers, it’s unlikely that the Broncos will pick McCarthy with their No. 12 draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Recent trends suggest that the Minnesota Vikings are now the frontrunners to secure the Wolverine quarterback, especially after news surfaced about McCarthy having a private workout with the Vikings next week. The Vikings, positioned at No. 11, have emerged as the top choice, partly due to the Broncos’ victory over them in Week 11 of the previous season. Surprisingly, the Broncos now have lower odds of drafting McCarthy compared to two teams drafting ahead of them. Additionally, the New England Patriots are also in contention, with an earlier pick than Denver.

Here are the odds for drafting J.J. McCarthy:
– Minnesota: -115
– New York Giants: +350
– Denver: +430
– New England: +900
– Las Vegas: +1600

After reports about the Vikings' plan to have a private workout with J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota is now the odds-on favorite to draft him at @FDSportsbook:

Vikings (-115)
Giants (+350)
Broncos (+430)
Patriots (+900)
Raiders (16/1)
Commanders (26/1)
Seahawks (34/1)#NFLDraft |… pic.twitter.com/uvLaM6CJ7w

— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) March 18, 2024

McCarthy’s Performance at Michigan

McCarthy appears to fit the criteria that second-year Broncos coach Sean Payton is seeking. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, the Chicagoland native is known for his strong skills as a pocket passer and has a track record of winning numerous games, including a national title during his time in Ann Arbor.

In the national title game, McCarthy’s performance was average, completing 10 out of 18 passes for 140 yards with no touchdowns. Although he didn’t throw any interceptions, Michigan relied heavily on its ground game, which resulted in four total touchdowns.

Throughout the season, McCarthy demonstrated consistency, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards, recording 22 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. Michigan concluded the season with a perfect 15-0 record.

McCarthy Possibly Joining the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings suddenly find themselves in need of a quarterback after their six-year starter, Kirk Cousins, opted to sign a lucrative deal with the Atlanta Falcons last week. Interestingly, the Broncos also showed interest in Cousins, leading to a bidding war between them and the Vikings for Sam Darnold, the former top pick of the Jets. Ultimately, Darnold chose to sign with the NFC North team. Additionally, Josh Dobbs, who started a crucial game against Denver in Week 11, recently signed with the 49ers, further limiting the Vikings’ options at quarterback. As Darnold has fluctuated between starting and serving as a backup, there’s speculation that he might merely serve as a temporary solution until McCarthy potentially takes over.

Quarterback Uncertainty in Denver?

Despite the Broncos’ efforts to secure Russell Wilson and extend his contract, the plan fell apart when he was traded to the Steelers before even playing a game in Colorado. Now, with limited draft picks and salary cap space, the Broncos are in search of a quarterback to complement Jarrett Stidham in their quarterback room. While drafting a rookie seems like the straightforward solution, the Broncos’ draft position is not favorable due to Wilson’s successful five-game win streak last season, including a crucial game against Minnesota. As a result, they may miss out on top prospects like McCarthy before they get a chance to pick.