Bleacher Report Predicts Fancy Future for Vikings Rookie
The J.J. McCarthy hype train has left the station.
Bleacher Report Predicts Fancy Future for Vikings Rookie
Minnesota used Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft to select McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner from Alabama. No Vikings fan believed both men were attainable, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was forecasted to trade his 1st-Round assets for a quarterback of the future. But on draft night, McCarthy plunged to pick No. 10, where Minnesota pulled the trigger on a trade with the New York Jets — while keeping his 23rd overall pick in-house. The purple team then picked Turner after an expensive trade to the 17th spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On the McCarthy pick, well, many Vikings fans were extremely enthused, and they weren’t alone. This week, Bleacher Report predicted the futures of each quarterback chosen in Round 1, and according to Maurice Moton, McCarthy will become a Pro Bowl or All-Pro commodity.
Moton explained, “Once McCarthy takes the field, he’ll likely have All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, assuming the Vikings sign him to an extension, budding wideout Jordan Addison and two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. Minnesota has kept most of its offensive line intact from the previous season. Christian Darrisaw and 2021 Pro Bowler Brian O’Neill are shaping up as quality bookend tackles for pass protection.”
The Vikings were expected to draft a quarterback of the future after Kirk Cousins left in March, but the debate basically hovered over McCarthy and new Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye. McCarthy was the guy for Minnesota, and it didn’t cost multiple 1st-Rounders as Maye might have via trade.
“Most importantly, McCarthy will work with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who’s a high-level play-caller … Regardless of what you think about McCarthy as a prospect, Minnesota has the offensive personnel and play-caller to set up a rookie quarterback for immediate success. Success meter: Pro Bowl/All-Pro starter,” Moton concluded.
Bleacher Report also assigned Pro Bowl or All-Pro fates to Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders). On Maye, it offered a “low-end starter” prognosis while suggesting Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) would become a bust. Moton also claimed new Denver Broncos passer Bo Nix would transform into a low-end starter like Maye.
When McCarthy sees the field as QB1 is the next big item in the Vikings’ orbit. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert explained on Friday, “The Vikings will follow an individualized development plan they created for each of the quarterbacks they considered drafting, one that requires McCarthy to hit specific benchmarks and gives coach Kevin O’Connell full authority to make the timing decision.”
But when McCarthy checks those benchmarks off the list, Bleacher Report maintains the man will be well on his way to stardom.
Vikings minicamp is six weeks away.
One Vikings QB Is on Borrowed Time
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information is provided by OverTheCap.com.
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