Betting Markets Believe Vikings Could Target J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix or Michael Penix in Draft

Kirk Cousins is headed to the Falcons, which means the Vikings need a quarterback.

While Sam Darnold is the stopgap, most expect Minnesota to grab a player in the draft to serve as the potential long-term answer.

But who will that be?

The Vikings pick No. 11 overall, which is too late for a chance at Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye unless they trade up.

There is some disagreement about the next group of prospects, although J.J. McCarthy’s stock has risen in the pre-draft process, and he is settling in as the No. 4 option.

DraftKings has the odds listed for Minnesota to nab several different quarterbacks, with the second-tier group projected as the most likely fit.

Odds to Get Drafted By The Minnesota Vikings

• J.J. McCarthy +180
• Bo Nix +250
• Michael Penix +275
• Jayden Daniels +600
• Caleb Williams +1600

McCarthy makes a lot of sense, as nearly every team outside of the top-3 has a starting quarterback that they are expected to ride with in 2024, which could make him available at 11.

Minnesota drafts ahead of both the quarterback-needy Raiders and Broncos, which is an important distinction if none of them trade up. If the Vikings pull the trigger on a quarterback at pick No. 11, it will come down to preference, but McCarthy has gained steam as the most likely choice.

Nix is favored to land with the Broncos but could also be a possibility, while Penix is generally viewed as the sixth-best prospect. Penix might be a guy the Vikings could get at No. 42 overall, or in a trade up toward the end of the first round. Daniels and Williams are longshots since they are projected to be taken early.

There are currently no odds available on the team to draft Drake Maye, but that could be another possibility.

Daniels is now favored to be the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and the Commanders are expected to stay in that spot and make the selection.

That would leave Maye as a possibility for the Patriots at No. 3, although New England could also choose to move the pick if it wants to instead amass draft capital.

The Vikings would be a logical trade partner if they are interested in trading up.

As it stands, the betting markets believe McCarthy is the most likely choice for Minnesota, but there are myriad possibilities depending on how the draft falls, and how motivated the Vikings are to trade up.