The Minnesota Vikings think they have their QB of the future after selecting Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Having led Michigan to the CFP National Championship throwing for 22 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, McCarthy’s stock rose considerably. A 2 year starter, McCarthy has thrown only 714 passes in college ball.
Vikings patience paid off
PFF said this of the new Vikings QB, “McCarthy is not a finished product, but he is a growing quarterback with experience in a pro-style offense and good tools (physical and mental) to be a starting QB in the NFL.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is 100% sure he’s got their franchise QB, “The feeling of knowing he’s part of that quarterback room to really grow and develop and be that quarterback of the future feels great,” O’Connell said. “The relationship I’ve built with JJ through the process is one where we’re both excited to really get to work together.”
“The confidence came from a process of really going through film study and the opportunity to get on campus with him for a full day in Ann Arbor and really try to dive into who he is as a player and where he’s at in his development,” O’Connell explained. “And ultimately confirm all the intangibles that I felt really strongly about.
“Specifically from a film-study standpoint, what I don’t think JJ gets enough credit for is winning downs, where it’s great that you run the ball, but in our game in the NFL and the level JJ was at, you don’t get to sustain offense like that without converting the big-time third downs. 3rd and 7 plus, he was fantastic, which was a down that makes or breaks our ability to win football games each and every Sunday.”
“He was great in the redzone where you saw him had to thread the needle and make some tight-window throws. In the two minute situations, when he had to take his team down and score points and give themselves an opportunity to win national championships, JJ checked all those boxes and then some. That was a big part of it.”
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