Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. It's not a surprise, although O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" with his rehab from ACL surgery in late January. The 27-year-old tight end tore his ACL at the end of last season and is doubtful to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign despite being ahead of scheduled this offseason. In addition to coming off a major injury, Hockenson will be more of a fantasy question mark now that he's going from quarterback Kirk Cousins to a potential mixture of Sam Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy this season. Even when Hockenson does return to the field in the regular season, he's likely to be eased in, so he should be considered more of a high-end TE2 stash in fantasy football drafts this fall.

Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy signed a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract on Friday that is worth $21.85 million and also includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option, according to sources. McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan in his final season in college and is now hoping to be the Vikings' next franchise signal-caller, although it won't come right away. Former first-rounder Sam Darnold is fully expected to open the year as the starter under center in Minnesota, with McCarthy learning on the sidelines. Most evaluators don't see a ton of upside in McCarthy at the next level, but it doesn't mean he won't be making some starts later on in the 2024 campaign. McCarthy can be avoided in single-year fantasy leagues.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Daily News, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was arrested on Friday night for suspicion of DUI. Police were notified and responded to an area near LAX, where Addison was reportedly found asleep at the wheel and blocking several lanes. He was taken into custody and released a few hours later. The 2023 No. 23 overall pick finished his first year in the NFL by amassing 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. While it's unknown if Addison will face any discipline from the NFL or team, his fantasy stock could take a hit from managers unwilling to draft him in fear of a possible suspension.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was recently praised by fellow teammate Blake Cashman. Cashman, a linebacker, recently joined Minnesota this offseason and has been around several young quarterbacks. He began his career in the Big Apple with Zach Wilson and played with former second-overall pick C.J. Stroud last season. The 28-year-old defender said on the Jim Rome Show that McCarthy "Is 21 years old, but a great young man. He's a leader and he's eager to learn." This is great to see McCarthy's leadership translate quite well and quickly to the NFL as he led the Michigan Wolverines to two consecutive playoff appearances, including a national championship this past season. Cashman further expressed how well the young quarterback has thrown the ball in minicamps. Even though the 21-year-old is reportedly not starting in Week 1, according to Alec Lewis of the Athletic, it is great to see his veteran teammates express their excitement and support for him. McCarthy was a popular first-round selection in rookie drafts this past spring and remains a coveted asset in dynasty leagues.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that Minnesota Vikings first-round rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy definitely won't be starting in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, and he probably won't start in the first quarter of the season. There's even a scenario in which he shouldn't be expected to start at all this year, depending on how Sam Darnold fares. It's not a referendum on McCarthy's talent or his minicamp performance, but rather the team's long-term developmental plan for him. If Darnold, a former first-rounder himself, is dominating and winning in his first year in Minnesota, it will make it easy for the coaching staff to keep McCarthy on the sidelines while he learns. But if Darnold is struggling and the team isn't competitive, it will be hard for head coach Kevin O'Connell to quiet the noise for McCarthy. The bottom line is that McCarthy should be avoided in redraft fantasy leagues.