After a successful 27-1 record as a starter in college, JJ McCarthy was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
As the fifth quarterback selected in the first round, the franchise has chosen McCarthy to succeed Kirk Cousins. However, the team has already stated their intentions to slow-roll the rookie and open the season with Sam Darnold at the helm.
JJ McCarthy NCAA Stats and Production
From a pure results perspective, few quarterbacks in college football history can be put above JJ McCarthy. Through two seasons as a starter at Michigan, McCarthy never lost a regular season game, going 27-1 overall, and ended his NCAA career with a National Championship.
McCarthy has never jumped off the page with stellar numbers, nor was he ever credited for carrying Michigan through monumental victories. Yet, he was widely considered a sleeper contender for the Heisman Trophy all year, finishing 10th in the final voting, one spot behind teammate Blake Corum.
In his final season under center in Ann Arbor, JJ McCarthy threw for 2,991 total passing yards with 22 touchdowns to just four interceptions while completing 72.3 percent of his passes, per Sports Reference. On the ground, McCarthy added 202 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike the four other quarterbacks selected in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy was not relied on to carry his offense in college. Surrounded by All-American talent in his offensive line and in the backfield, McCarthy engineered Jim Harbaugh’s throwback-style offense reliant on the run game and defense.
Throughout his entire term as the quarterback of Michigan, McCarthy continuously stressed his focus on winning as the only stat that mattered. As such, scouts had questions of McCarthy being a potential “game manager” entering the 2024 NFL Draft but believed his skills were still potent enough to support his proven track record as a winner.
JJ McCarthy 2024 Fantasy Outlook
No matter how much the Vikings insist on having JJ McCarthy sit behind Sam Darnold for his rookie season, it is almost inevitable that the 21-year-old will see the field at some point in 2024.
Several teams have tried the Kansas City model of sitting a rookie quarterback for his first year, essentially giving them a “redshirt” season, but most bail on the idea just a few weeks into the season. Regardless of how many opportunities he is given, Sam Darnold is not an NFL-level starter, and sooner than later fans will be itching to see their first-round pick in action.
Once he gets the call, JJ McCarthy will have everything he needs to succeed. Of all the rookie quarterbacks, Minnesota has the best offensive setup and talent at skill positions by a wide margin. Having potential no. 1 overall receiver Justin Jefferson as a safety blanket cannot be understated and depending on the 2024 production of Brandon Powell, the Vikings have a legitimate claim of having the best receiving corps in the league.
The backfield will be a slight concern with 29-year-old Aaron Jones expected to share the duties with Ty Chandler, but the Vikings will essentially be returning their entire offensive line that was ranked in the top 10 by PFF in 2023.
In dynasty formats, JJ McCarthy is a no-brainer. Entering college, he was a five-star recruit ranked as the fifth best quarterback of the class of 2021 by 247Sports. As previously mentioned, the passing stats do not leap off the chart, but his decision making was highly touted by executives, evidenced by his elite completion rate and low interception numbers.
McCarthy will be expected to have his growing pains, especially if called upon early in the season. But should he display the talent that appeared in glimpses at Michigan, the ceiling is sky-high for the rookie in what should continue to be one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the NFL.
In season formats, McCarthy is more than worth a look as a late round flier. Better yet, look for him to be an excellent buy-low trade target around weeks four or five once Darnold begins to falter.
About the Author
Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst.
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