The NFL scouting combine comes our way this week, and with it the NFL draft landscape will start to come into a more clear focus. Athletic testing is a big piece of the puzzle — a bigger piece for some teams than others — and will go a long way towards cementing future selections. For now, it’s the last chance to get pre-combine mock drafts in, and The Draft Network has done just that.
In his latest for TDN, writer Brentley Weissman has the Minnesota Vikings staying patient at the 11th pick and being rewarded with former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Here’s Weissman’s analysis of the selection:
Look, I have been on record that there is no denying J.J. McCarthy’s physical tools. He is athletic, has a big arm, and has good overall size. There’s no question about his flashes because when he dials it up, it sure looks pretty. With that said, I do think it’s fair to question why Michigan seemed to limit his exposure and treat him with kid gloves. This is a risk for the Vikings, but I think it’s one they can afford to take.
The Vikings have become a trendy pick to move up in the draft to try and get their quarterback, and J.J. McCarthy has become a trendy name for a player who may be drafted higher than most think. At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to a cost-benefit analysis for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Is the cost to move up in the draft for a quarterback too great? Can the quarterback they want be had at their original draft slot? Would it be more advantageous for the team to stick it out with Kirk Cousins for another year or two and wait on the position? For now, only the Vikings front office knows the answer to those questions — and maybe not even them.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Vikings Wire…