And that functional mobility is key in an offense from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. [Vikings Head Coach] Kevin O’Connell will likely feel far more comfortable with the play-action bootleg at the core of his scheme. McCarthy typically understands where to go with the football and can glide through his reads, two other elements key to most aerial attacks but especially critical in O’Connell’s very meticulously timed offense.
McCarthy landed in the best environment of any first-round quarterback.
The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall. Their third selection of the draft, Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson, was tabbed in the fourth round. Trapasso ranked Jackson fifth overall for rookie-team fits.
Jackson gave me Xavien Howard vibes on film. Long, athletic, ultra-physical, at times tremendously suffocating at the line and at the catch point, and other times lost in coverage.
But you know who got the most out of Howard in the NFL? Vikings current [Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores. In 2020, under Flores’ tutelage, Howard led the NFL with 10 interceptions. Now, Flores wasn’t necessarily integral in the development of Howard, who was a 2016 draft pick. But he certainly understood how to maximize his special yet imperfect skill set.
And now Flores gets another intimidating boundary cornerback with otherworldly length and an up-and-down style the Vikings are likely hoping can be smoothed out to more consistent play. The former Alabama defender had three picks and seven pass breakups at Oregon in 2023. It’ll be fascinating to monitor how Flores works with another Howard-like specimen in his secondary.
Trapasso topped his rankings with Steelers rookie linebacker Payton Wilson, whom they drafted 98th overall.
Click here to view all 10 players Trapasso believes will be the best fits with their new teams.
