Word throughout the pre-draft process was the Minnesota Vikings were trying desperately to trade up in the 1st round of the 2024 draft. Their target was North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Unfortunately for them, the New England Patriots got there first. That left them with only one alternative. They did a pick swap with the New York Jets to ensure they secured Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. He would compete with Sam Darnold for the starting job in training camp. Optimism was high.
As time has gone on, people have started to wonder if McCarthy might’ve gone higher than he should’ve. That is what veteran insider Adam Caplan said on Sharp Football Analysis. People he trusts told him McCarthy was a 3rd round talent. There wasn’t really anything special about him. He was a capable player, but nothing about his game stood out. What might make Vikings fans the most nervous is the player comparison he used. It is not the name you’d want to hear in such a situation.
JJ McCarthy better hope he’s not another Kenny Pickett.
Everybody knows how that unfolded. The former 1st round pick flamed out in Pittsburgh after two years. He’s already entered backup status in the league. The good news is McCarthy has a way better situation in Minnesota. They have two stud wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is also a solid offensive play caller. Most 1st round quarterbacks never walk into situations that good. Still, the Vikings drafted him that high to win a Super Bowl. It doesn’t sound like he’s close to where they want him yet.
After all, he isn’t even the projected starter. That honor goes to Sam Darnold, a former 1st round bust who has become a journeyman. It isn’t the best thing when a guy you traded into the top 10 for can’t outpace somebody on his fourth team. One cannot overlook the singular fact nobody wants to address. There might have been a reason Michigan didn’t let JJ McCarthy throw a lot. Sure, they were a run-first team, but that shouldn’t have stopped them from still getting their QB 30+ throws per game. Across two seasons as a starter, he did that only six times.
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Something to keep in mind.
JJ had the best footwork of all the QBs coming out. That just tells me, his QB HC coached him up. I think he is an athletic Andy Dalton. He can’t make all the throws required of an NFL QB. Did he peak in college? His HC sure limited him. I’m more curious to see what Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson will do in the NFL. JJ had the same inexperience our last QB had. Neither should have been drafted in the first round. Teams get behind, get impatient, make bad decisions together. What the Colts are doing to A… Read more »
BTW did anyone see JJ McCarthy’s first pitch last night? OMG!!! You have to search it on twitter, but you should not miss the plate or catcher by that much when you throw balls for a living!
JJ will not make it in this league as a starter. I don’t know how to find past posts I made, but after the draft, I even stated he is most comparable to Chase Daniel. Smart kid, athletic kid, with a small arm, and inaccurate, will make a lot of money as a trusted smart QB in a QB room as a backup. That’s about it.
As said previously, JJ should have been drafted at the bottom of the first round at best. Perhaps Harbaugh should have drafted him since he said JJ was the best QB in the draft.
I am with you 100% on JJ SK.