Minnesota Vikings

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.

Minnesota Vikings second-year wide receiver Jordan Addison produced one of the most notable springs of any Vikings player during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this offseason, taking full advantage of his first NFL offseason to set himself up for an even better year after impressing as a rookie in 2023. Addison was hurt and missed most of the team's spring workouts last year after he was the 23rd overall pick in the draft. Still, he was one of four players in modern NFL history to record at least 70 receptions, 900 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. He showed a natural instinct for getting open and developed a reputation for making tough catches as well. Addison has a bright future, but fantasy managers in 2024 may want to temper expectations a bit now that quarterback Kirk Cousins is gone. He's a fine WR4/flex target but could be a bit more inconsistent with Sam Darnold throwing him the pigskin.

Minnesota Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard managed to put on a display during spring practices that confirms he has the leg to kick in the NFL for a long time. However, most of his efforts came during positional drills without a defense pressuring him and sometimes even without a snap. During the final organized team activities, Reichard nearly hit a balcony that is perched on the wall behind and above the goal posts while moving through a progression of 40-plus yard attempts. He later drilled a 60-yarder that landed in a net that sits 10 feet behind the goal post and 10 feet off the ground. Reichard's success as a rookie will depend as much on his mental makeup as it does on his leg strength, though. For now, he's just one to watch as we near training camp and the preseason.

It's clear that the Minnesota Vikings are hoping to see a jump from wide receiver Jalen Nailor in training camp this summer before making any final determinations about whether to acquire a veteran No. 3 wideout before the start of the 2024 regular season. Justin Jefferson is the obvious WR1 in Minnesota, with second-year pass-catcher Jordan Addison in the No. 2 role following an impressive rookie campaign. Nailor will be competing with Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield for the No. 3 role. He struggled with injuries in 2023 and into this offseason, and he missed mandatory minicamp with the flu. But Nailor has proven to be a slippery target and has taken a total of 160 snaps and run routes on 72 of them in his two seasons. He's caught 12 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown but could become more interesting as a waiver-wire pickup if one of Jefferson or Addison miss time.