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The Minnesota Vikings took a bit of a risk when they drafted JJ McCarthy.
He was this year’s most polarizing prospect, as the eye test and the film suggested he could be a very good pro, but his production just wasn’t there.
Granted, he wasn’t asked to do much in Michigan because of their stout running game, and he did deliver when his number was called.
However, talent aside, the lack of reps and actual throws were a bit of a concern.
That hasn’t gone away.
With all the reports about Sam Darnold most likely being their starter in Week 1, Plaxico Burress has some doubts about McCarthy.
In the latest edition of The Carton Show, he pointed out some worrisome numbers from his day in college, such as being sacked 19 times in 15 games behind one of the best offensive lines in the game, never throwing for 3,000 yards in a single season, and only throwing for 300 yards or more three times.
“That is not elite at any level.”@plaxicoburress reacts to J.J. McCarthy’s Michigan stats pic.twitter.com/G591PJCeVh
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) July 16, 2024
The former NFL star believes McCarthy just hasn’t had enough reps and experience to be anywhere close to being a starter.
The Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a $10 million deal, so they may have planned for him to be the starter all along.
Also, there’s no need to rush a quarterback and throw him into the fire right out of the gate; it makes sense for them to be patient and develop him.
Still, if they don’t like what they see early, there’s no shame in pivoting and going in a different direction, either.
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