Vikings Draft News: Josh McCown at USC's Pro Day, Dallas Turner to Visit MN

Why would McCown be at the USC pro day? Hmmmmmm.

Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown was in attendance for USC's pro day on Wednesday. The star of the show, of course, is former Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, the projected No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.

Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown in attendance here at USC pro day. Players on the field getting warmed up. pic.twitter.com/m19saCWqLm

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) March 20, 2024

Why would the Vikings send McCown to Los Angeles to watch Williams? He presumably isn't there to watch running back Marshawn Lloyd. The simple answer is that he's likely just there for due diligence while the team considers every possible option.

The Bears trading Justin Fields to the Steelers basically confirmed that they'll be selecting Williams with the first overall pick. There probably isn't a feasible offer the Vikings could make that would convince their division rival to hand them Williams. Short of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah putting something absurd — like three first-round picks and Justin Jefferson — on the table, the Vikings aren't moving up all the way to 1.

But then again, I suppose anything is possible in the NFL. So why not send McCown?

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Turner to visit Vikings

Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner, who could be the first defensive player selected in April, has a pre-draft meeting coming up with the Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Alabama edge Dallas Turner — who could be the first defensive player off the board — told me he has upcoming pre-draft visits with, among others, the #Bears (Nos. 1 and 9 overall picks), #Falcons (8) and #Vikings (11 and 23).

See the interview later on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/hjjarYZsv7

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2024

This is another one where the Vikings are leaving no stone unturned as they keep their options open. If they're going to package 11 and 23 in a trade up for a quarterback, as is widely expected, they'll have no shot at landing Turner. 

If, for whatever reason, the Vikings end up not making another trade, Turner could be a highly appealing option if he's still on the board at 11. It's not completely out of the question that the Vikings could take a defensive player at 11 and then a QB like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix at 23.

Then again, that would be very surprising. It feels like almost a foregone conclusion that the Vikings are moving up into the top five for a QB.

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