Daily Norseman
A deep dive into the Vikings new quarterback
With the tenth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected JJ McCarthy, quarterback, Michigan. As the tenth pick in the draft, JJ McCarthy becomes the highest drafted quarterback in Minnesota Vikings history. He was the fifth quarterback taken in the draft and was ranked 23rd on the draft consensus board. McCarthy was widely expected to be a top five pick heading into the draft, and definitely a top ten pick.
The Vikings traded up one spot with the New York Jets before making the selection, potentially heading off any trade-up attempts from teams such as the Broncos and Raiders picking 12th and 13th, especially after a surprising early run on quarterbacks and the Falcons surprisingly taking Michael Penix Jr. at #8. The Vikings gave the Jets their #11, #129 (fourth-round), and #157 (fifth-round) for the Jets’ #10 and #203 (sixth-round).
JJ McCarthy was a two-year starter at Michigan, going 27-1 and winning a national championship in January. He operated Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy, but pro style offense and demonstrated a solid foundation of mechanical and footwork fundamentals. However, he’s been more inconsistent with accuracy, ball placement, processing and decision-making. McCarthy has adequate arm strength and can make all the throws, but is more of a fastball-only passer at this point. He shows good velocity on his throws when operating with a good base, but hasn’t shown the ability to layer passes and make touch passes. He’s proven to be a clutch performer on third-down, but has struggled more at times in the red zone. He is adept outside the pocket with the athleticism to extend plays, but is more focused on playing on-schedule rather than extending a play off-schedule.
Overall, McCarthy brings a solid foundation and fundamentals, familiarity with a pro-style offense, including operating from the huddle and under center- uncommon among college quarterbacks these days - which will help him make the transition to the league. He also brings top-tier intangibles as a leader, competitor, and clutch performer. It’s that ‘it factor’ that caused him to rise above his athletic traits and production in college among evaluators.
It will take an excellent off-season program and plan of development that McCarthy embraces and excels in for him to be ready to start week one. It’s possible, but a mid-season start is just as likely. His solid fundamentals and intangibles make him a good bet to realize his ceiling projection, and he couldn’t have landed in a better situation to develop into a quality starter and beyond. But it will take some time.
JJ McCarthy doesn’t have a full RAS score because like many quarterbacks in this draft class, he didn’t do the full testing. He did have great agility drill testing, however.
He measured 6’ 2.5” and 219 pounds at the Combine (he put on nearly 20 pounds from college) and has relatively small 9” hands. Overall, he’s comparable to a more athletic version...
