NFL Draft grades: Mixed reviews on Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy to Minnesota Vikings
Michigan Wolverines football quarterback J.J. McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Vikings traded up one spot to nab McCarthy, who went 27-1 as a starter in Ann Arbor before becoming the fifth signal-caller off the board on draft night.
Here’s a look at draft grades from across NFL media on Smith after his selection.
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Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: A
“What an offseason for the Vikings,” Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman wrote. “After making a big pre-draft move, Minnesota was able to land a quarterback (and climb one spot) without surrendering its other first-round pick. (The Vikings sent Nos. 11, 129 and 157 to the Jets for this spot and No. 203.) All this mere months after Minnesota lost Cousins, its previous franchise QB.
“McCarthy’s skill set has had NFL evaluators on alert for three years, though his work inside Michigan’s run-heavy offense made it very difficult to totally project what he’ll be immediately in the NFL. A very tough, aggressive passer in the mold of his former coach (Harbaugh), McCarthy’s an unquestioned winner (63-3 record since high school).
“He may need to learn behind Sam Darnold for a minute, but this is a great long-term fit with [head coach] Kevin O’Connell — and he could be more ready early on than some believe.”
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: A
“Kudos, Minnesota Vikings. They didn’t bite on all the rumor-mongering about McCarthy going much higher in the draft,” Sobleski wrote. “Instead of moving their extra first-round pick to trade up into the top five, the Vikings flipped fourth- and fifth-round picks to move up one spot, while getting a sixth-rounder back.
“McCarthy moves into an awesome situation with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver as well as T.J. Hockenson at tight end. The 21-year-old will also get to work with head coach/offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, both of whom played quarterback in the NFL.”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A
“The Vikings increased the quarterbacks drafted tally to five in the top 10 and needed to only move up one spot to secure their consistent QB of choice,” Iyer wrote. “After the Penix twist to the Falcons, McCarthy goes to another Rams offshoot offense where he can thrive with his arm, toughness and intangibles under Kevin O’Connell. Like Williams, Daniels and Penix, he goes to a team loaded with key weapons, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. He has the best chance to steal OROY from Williams.”
Yahoo Sports: B+
“Getting the quarterback without having to move up too far in the draft is a solid result for the Vikings,” the site wrote. “It may not be the quarterback they originally wanted, but it’s still a solid prospect to build around and he’s walking into a great situation.”
Rob Rang, Fox Sports: B+
“A dominant defense and run-heavy offense provided McCarthy limited opportunities to pad his stats, but when he was called upon to make important throws, he showed zip, accuracy, mobility and mettle,” Rang wrote. “He does not possess the howitzer of some of the other quarterbacks of this class. However, leadership and charisma matter at quarterback, and McCarthy has perhaps the best combination of that in this year’s class. Few would recognize that more than a former quarterback — like Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B-
“Minnesota didn’t have to give up a bounty to secure its quarterback,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “That’s a significant victory given the tough spot this franchise is in as it tries to reset while simultaneously competing. Still, it’s fair to feel underwhelmed with McCarthy as the successor to Kirk Cousins. Not only is the signal-caller somewhat of a mystery box after his time at Michigan, he’s also not the drastic stylistic shift from Cousins that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seemed intrigued by and that the team could have gotten from, say, Drake Maye. The setup for McCarthy is quite promising, though, as Kevin O’Connell can help him play efficiently early in his career with tons of play action and intermediate throws. And it doesn’t hurt to have Justin Jefferson to bail you out.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: B-
“McCarthy led the Wolverines to the national championship under former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, but he also had a great running game and an elite defense,” Verderame wrote.
“During his time in Ann Arbor, McCarthy never threw for 3,000 yards in either one of his starting campaigns. The question is how much he can develop at the pro level.”
Fan Nation: B-
“We have a fifth quarterback off the board! Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is heading to the Minnesota Vikings after a small trade-up with the New York Jets,” the site wrote. “It’s better than drafting an inaccurate 24-year-old quarterback to sit for two years behind a quarterback you just committed at least $90 million to. While the Vikings miss out on Maye, they at least get a yound 21-year-old for Kevin O’Connell to work with and develop into their future starting quarterback.”
Nick Gray, The Tennessean: C+
“McCarthy will have to shoulder more of a load once he does play for the Vikings, but I do like that he will be playing for Kevin O’Connell,” Gray wrote. “He’s not going to wow with his arm strength and off-script plays, but he’s got some ability there. Just how much, we’ll find out.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C+
“They had to fill the quarterback spot, so it makes sense to take McCarthy,” Prisco wrote. “I don’t love him as much as others do, but it will be interesting to see how Kevin O’Connell and company will make it work.”
