Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, didn’t hesitate to make a trade in the 2024 draft, putting his words into effect. Not once, but twice did he do so, leaving with edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17 and quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall.
Among those who commented on the first of those two selections was Josh Metellus, a rising star safety with the Vikings.
Metellus wrote on X on April 25 following the choice, saying, “Go blue baby.”
After the New York Giants passed on selecting a quarterback with the No. 6 overall choice and the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick, the Vikings were fortunate that the run on quarterbacks turned out somewhat differently than initially anticipated.
Adofo-Mensah decided not to wait any longer and made a deal, albeit a lot lesser one than many had anticipated before draft night.
Metellus was delighted with his general manager’s approach and plans to seek for Pro Bowl recognition in 2023.
The versatile Metellus let out a “whoa” and a staring emoji in response to the second transaction. In addition, he questioned if the defense, which lost a lot of skill up front this offseason, would benefit from the change.
Three of the Vikings’ best edge defenders, including Danielle Hunter, a four-time Pro Bowler, left via free agency.
Metellus wrote, “Tell Kwesi that whatever he’s cooking smells like a hit.”
Vikings Get Acclaim After Dallas Turner and J.J. McCarthy Are Drafted
McCarthy and Turner departed from their initial estimates. According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Vikings are the winners and will go home as one of the “biggest winners” of the evening.
McCarthy has always been associated with the Vikings. And all along, we believed that in order to acquire him, they could have to forfeit their other first-round selection, No. 23, Kiper wrote on April 26. Rather, though, they waited calmly. With a one-pick trade up with the Jets, they acquired their choice and retained the No. 23 pick. That is a significant victory.
With that pick at number 23, Minnesota was able to advance six positions and choose Turner, who is my top-ranked edge rusher and the ninth-best player on my Big Board. Turner fits a need for the team, even though it had to give up a lot in the process, including No. 167 and 2025 third- and fourth-round picks. The Vikings, like the Bears, have two players in my top 15. This is a very impressive haul.
Kiper listed playmakers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson along with head coach Kevin O’Connell as reasons McCarthy is a “great fit” for the Vikings.
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