Many across the league believe the Minnesota Vikings will use one of their two first-round draft selections on a quarterback. Names like J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and even Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye have come to analysts’ minds.
However, ESPN analyst and former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum believes a former top overall pick should be the Vikings’ franchise quarterback. Tannenbaum called for Minnesota to trade for Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray on Tuesday, while Arizona uses its fourth pick on a passer.
Mike Tannenbaum Has Cardinals Drafting J.J. McCarthy, Trading Kyler Murray in Latest Mock Draft
Tannenbaum, who once made personnel decisions for the New York Jets as both an assistant GM and head GM from 2001 to 2012, has the Cardinals selecting McCarthy out of Michigan at No. 4 overall in a mock draft stunner.
Tannenbaum, who additionally spent 2015-2018 as executive vice president for the Miami Dolphins, explains why he feels Minnesota and Arizona should orchestrate a trade.
“Look, QB availability is crucial in today’s NFL — 66 passers started at least one game last season — and Kyler Murray hasn’t played a full season since 2020,” Tannenbaum first explained. He also included a social media post detailing how McCarthy has never missed a game.
If I was Arizona, here is why I would select JJ McCarthy and trade Kyler Murray to the Vikings, who also get younger and less expensive than Kirk Cousins. pic.twitter.com/p3OVldNT4O
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) March 26, 2024
In his mock draft proposal, Arizona sends Murray to Minnesota which not only allows the Cards to take McCarthy but adds the Vikings’ No. 11 selection. The Cardinals then use that new pick to take Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
Tannenbaum believes the national title winner for the Wolverines has “long-term upside.” He included how McCarthy completed 72.3% of his throws and even added more bulk for the NFL rigors, as McCarthy is now 219 pounds ahead of the draft.
“In short, I think he’s a better, younger, and more durable quarterback than Murray right now, and I’m not passing up this chance,” Tannenbaum said.
Outside of Murray, Tannenbaum shared on ESPN’s Get Up that he believes McCarthy would be an upgrade over New York Giants QB Daniel Jones, saying the Michigan QB is a better quarterback. Overall, Tannenbaum strongly feels McCarthy is “a no-brainer” top-five draft pick and an easy decision for Arizona.
"J.J. McCarthy's a better football player than Daniel Jones today, let alone what his ceiling could be."
👀 @RealTannenbaum pic.twitter.com/z5TaOWVJqP
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 26, 2024
Could the Cardinals Actually Trade Kyler Murray?
While Tannenbaum delivered his bold draft prediction that shakes up the top five, will the Cardinals consider dealing away the QB they drafted first overall in 2019?
Murray’s future became a major topic during the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday when Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke to reporters. The incoming second-year head coach, though, shared how Murray has exceeded expectations they had for him in leading Arizona.
“Everything we’ve asked of him, he’s gone above and beyond. From a standpoint of respect and love and care, we hit it off. We feel really good about where he is and where he wants to go,” Gannon said.
#AZCardinals HC Jonathan Gannon on Kyler Murray: “Everything we’ve asked of him, he’s gone above and beyond. … From a standpoint of respect and love and care, we hit it off. We feel really good about where he is and where he wants to go.” pic.twitter.com/Ia3uSiOlLL
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 26, 2024
This points to Gannon and the franchise solidifying their belief that Murray is the QB1 moving forward in the desert. Gannon himself even believes the two-time Pro Bowl passer has his best days still to come.
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“I’m super excited about the spring and then training camp with him because there’s some things we want to explore,” Gannon said. “His best football is ahead of him, which is interesting to say because he’s played at a high level.”
“His best football is ahead of him.”
Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon says he expects QB Kyler Murray to gain a lot from workouts this spring and that K1 is providing input to the offense. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/VadjnkE4c1
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) March 26, 2024
While Murray sounds like an intriguing trade idea given his past credentials as an explosive dual-threat passer, Gannon’s words point to Arizona using its upcoming draft picks to build around Murray, not deal him away.
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