Well, from most perspectives, anyway
Anyone that’s followed this site for any length of time knows that I, personally, am not a big fan of draft “grades” that come out before any of these players have even taken a snap. However, I also recognize that there are a lot of people out there that are, and so I’ve put together a quick roundup of some of the grades that the team has been given by some of the Really Smart Football People™ out there to get their initial thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings and what they did on Thursday night.
Chad Reuter, NFL dot com: A- overall grade
The Vikings moved up one spot to grab McCarthy, presumably to box out Denver and Las Vegas. He did not throw 40 times per game in Michigan’s run-heavy offense, but he has plenty of arm, excellent mobility and accuracy throwing to either side of the field. He can surprise with his open-field speed, and his ability to win games at the high school and collegiate level carries weight with NFL teams. While not a physical specimen, he is similarly built to C.J. Stroud and other quarterbacks recently drafted with top-10 picks. The Vikings made a pre-draft trade with the Texans to get a second first-round selection (23rd overall) and then moved up from that spot to nab Turner. His 4.46 40 turned heads at the combine, but he still fell, thanks to the rush for quarterbacks and likely also because of his average size for the position (6-2 3/4-inch, 247 pounds). He uses that low center of gravity and 34 3/8-inch arms to separate from blockers playing the run and long-arm them into the quarterback in pass-rush mode. He’s a very good value at 17, even though today’s trade ate away at the team’s mid-round capital, both this year and next. This draft is lean at edge rusher, and the Vikings decided to take a risk.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C+ for J.J. McCarthy pick, A for Dallas Turner pick
They had to fill the quarterback spot, so it makes sense to take McCarthy. I don’t love him as much as others do, but it will be interesting to see how Kevin O’Connell and company will make it work.
Love this move to go get Turner. He will be the best edge player in this class. The Vikings have had a lot of success with edge players and he fits with what Brian Flores wants to do.
The Athletic: A for McCarthy pick, A for Turner pick
What an offseason for the Vikings. After making a big pre-draft move, Minnesota was able to land a quarterback (and climb one spot) without surrendering its other first-round pick. (The Vikings sent Nos. 11, 129 and 157 to the Jets for this spot and No. 203.) All this mere months after Minnesota lost Cousins, its previous franchise QB.
McCarthy’s skill set has had NFL evaluators on alert for three years, though his work inside Michigan’s run-heavy offense made it very difficult to totally project what he’ll be immediately in the NFL. A very tough, aggressive passer in the mold of his former coach (Harbaugh), McCarthy’s an unquestioned winner (63-3 record since high school).
He may need to learn behind Sam Darnold for a minute, but this is a great long-term fit with Kevin O’Connell — and he could be more ready early on than some believe.
After losing Danielle Hunter in free agency, the Vikings needed some pass-rush punch. So, Minnesota jumped up six spots (sending Nos. 23 and 167 plus third- and fourth-round picks in 2025 to Jacksonville) and grabbed perhaps the draft’s most athletic pass rusher. Turner was considered by many to be a possible top-10 pick. Edge was a need for the Vikings, too, probably equal to cornerback.
Turner (6-2, 247) was a consensus first-team All-American last season after posting 11.0 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He solidified his first-round status with an impressive combine (4.46 40-yard dash, 40 1/2-inch vertical, 34 3/8-inch arms). He should replace Hunter quite nicely.
Gavino Borquez, USA Today DraftWire: C for McCarthy pick, A for Turner pick
While we understand the Vikings needed a quarterback and felt like they had to trade up get them, we don’t have J.J. McCarthy graded high enough to warrant this type of a move and pick.
The Vikings decided that Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner was just too good to pass up. Minnesota traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars and landed a guy who could be one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in a year.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: B- for McCarthy pick, C+ for Turner pick
McCarthy led the Wolverines to the national championship under former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, but he also had a great running game and an elite defense.
During his time in Ann Arbor, McCarthy never threw for 3,000 yards in either one of his starting campaigns. The question is how much he can develop at the pro level.
Turner was a universal top-10 pick in every mock leading up to the draft, and for good reason. He’s a terrific edge defender who can cause havoc in the pass game while holding his own against the run.
A three-year starter under Nick Saban, Turner has the chance to be an immediate impact player who projects as a 10-year starter. He’s arguably the best defensive player in this draft after totaling 22.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss at Alabama.
The only reason for the lowered grade? The trade. Minnesota gave up three picks, including a pair of 2025 choices to move up six spots. That’s legitimate ammunition.
Charles MacDonald, Yahoo! Sports: B+ for McCarthy pick, B+ for Turner pick
Getting the quarterback without having to move up too far in the draft is a solid result for the Vikings. It may not be the quarterback they originally wanted, but it’s still a solid prospect to build around and he’s walking into a great situation.
Turner’s draft slide ended with the Vikings trading up to get him in an effort to replace Danielle Hunter. Turner isn’t a finished product, but he’s a rugged defender who managed to run a 4.46 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. He has the potential to be a dynamite edge defender in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus: “Average” for McCarthy pick, “Good” for Turner pick
With Penix being drafted before McCarthy, Minnesota had to move up only one selection to get their quarterback competition for Sam Darnold. McCarthy has traits to work with and was excellent when Michigan needed him to make a play in third-and-long situations, but he wasn’t asked to carry the offense much at the college level. He does land in one of the league’s better situations for a rookie quarterback, as Minnesota has a solid offensive line and a talented receiving corps.
The Vikings draft an explosive pass rusher in Dallas Turner, adding him to a unit that includes free-agent acquisitions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner is an incredible athlete who is capable of rushing the passer from a two-point stance and dropping into coverage. He ranked among the top three edges in the SEC in pass-rush grade and pressures in 2023.
Joseph Acosta, SB Nation: A- for McCarthy pick, A+ for Turner pick
The Vikings didn’t have to move heaven and Earth to trade up, and eventually got the guy that would fit their offense. I think McCarthy is a ways away from being a starter, but he doesn’t have to start right away with Sam Darnold playing. McCarthy is a confident passer off play action and a good enough athlete to make the O’Connell offense work in the long term. Good fit for Minnesota and McCarthy.
What a haul for the Vikings, who got their QB of the future and now another pass rusher for Brian Flores to work with. Turner is athletic, bendy and still growing in his pass rush repertoire. Pairing him with Jon Greenard is a huge plus for Minnesota, who have revamped their pass rush despite losing Danielle Hunter.
Overall, it seems that the Really Smart Football People™ are more jazzed up about the Turner pick than they are about the McCarthy pick at the moment. Hopefully, in three years or so when everyone is doing their “re-grades” of the 2024 NFL Draft class, the people that weren’t quite as happy about the McCarthy selection then will have been proven completely wrong.
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