PFF gives some interesting player comps to predict J.J. McCarthy's 2025 season
J.J. McCarthy has had to delay his debut for the Vikings by a year due to a torn meniscus suffered in his first preseason game for the team last August. Fast forward 10 months later, everyone within the team, media, and fanbase are excited to see what he is going to look like for the Vikings.
Everyone has weighed in on what a good season could look like and what a bad one could look like. The folks at Pro Football Focus decided to take it a step further and paint a picture with some player comps for how the season may go. PFF's John Kosko wanted to give ceilings and floors for second-year quarterbacks while projecting how their season may go.
When it came time to discuss J.J. McCarthy and his second year with the team, Kosko gave quite a wide range of results for the former Michigan Wolverine signal caller. The ideal result would include him having a season similar to that of Joe Burrow, while a worst-case type of season would be similar to what we saw from Sam Darnold.
"McCarthy wasn't asked to carry the national-championship Michigan team, but when he needed to, he delivered. While he wasn't elite at generating big-time throws, nor was his turnover-worthy rate spectacularly low, McCarthy excelled under pressure and when facing the blitz. His success rate in both situations ranked third in the class, behind Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix. Darnold's career looked over until his incredible 2024 season with the Vikings. Assuming McCarthy is better than Darnold for his career isn't a stretch, but nothing is ever a guarantee at quarterback."
Burrow is an MVP candidate every single year he plays a full 17-game schedule for the Bengals, so that comp is music to Vikings fans' ears. Now, the Sam Darnold comparison may spark some nightmares for fans after last season's dramatic and sharp fall from a high.
Whatever the results may be for McCarthy, the support from the defense, offensive line, and skill players should be enough around him to give him every chance to succeed this season and beyond.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
2025 Indianapolis Colts roster preview: LB Zaire Franklin
Let's take a closer look at this Indianapolis Colts team as we go player-by-player through the roster. Up next is LB Zaire Franklin. With offseason programs now behind us, we will be getting a jump start on our training camp preview by going player-by-player through the Indianapolis Colts' 91-man roster. Going alphabetically, up next is linebacker Zaire Franklin. Zaire Franklin's profile 2024 Snap count totals 2024 PFF grades 2024 Season Review Franklin is coming off his most productive season to date. He totaled 173 tackles, which was the most in the NFL of any defender. He also set a career high with 15 quarterback pressures, four sacks, and two interceptions. The end result was Franklin making his first Pro Bowl, along with being named a second-team All-Pro. Like any player, Franklin has areas of his game that can improve. According to PFF's metrics, he had a missed tackle rate of 11.6% last season--which ranked 43rd among linebackers--and quarterbacks were efficient when targeting him in coverage, with a completion rate of 87% and a passer rating of 105.5. Looking ahead to the 2025 season I believe this new-look Colts defense under Lou Anarumo will really benefit Franklin. In this scheme, there is going to be a greater reliance on defensive backs. In turn, I anticipate that this will mean more opportunities for Franklin to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which is where he is at his best. The more aggressive scheme should result in more opportunities to get after the quarterback as well. I also really like the pairing of Jaylon Carlies with Franklin. Carlies, a former college safety, brings a needed coverage presence to the linebacker position. This element will pair well with Franklin's skill set, again allowing him more flexibility to do what he does best, operating near the line of scrimmage.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Strengths, weaknesses and wildcards at Cowboys QB position in 2025
Over the past few seasons, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback room has been a model of stability in the NFL. Dak Prescott was operating at peak levels, Cooper Rush was a stable veteran backup, and Trey Lance was the mostly unknown wild card and third wheel. After letting Rush leave in free agency, the Cowboys suddenly had a vacancy at QB2. To make matters worse, Prescott was coming off a season in which he was both significantly injured and poor in performance. For the first time in years the QB room had concerns. Cowboys' strength at QB: Dak Prescott It's important to keep in mind, Prescott is just one year removed from an MVP runner-up season. And based on the stats that usually signal MVP, Prescott actually should have been the winner that season (but we're not bitter). Prescott's game is predicated on downfield reads, well-timed releases, and rock-solid accuracy. These traits typically age well so even if Prescott's athletic prowess takes another step back here in his 10th season, he should still perform well as a passer. Prescott may not have a complementary running game to keep defenses on tilt, but he has a couple nifty weapons in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and a new play-caller in Brian Schottenheimer who's determined to make things easy for his star QB. Cowboys' weakness at QB: Durability One of the main discussions of the offseason has centered around Prescott's sudden fragility. He's missed at least five games in three of the last five seasons. That's the type of attendance record that can spell disaster for a team with postseason hopes. No longer on the roster is Rush, the trusty backup. It will be up to the seldom seen Will Grier or the often-erratic Joe Milton to save the Cowboys season should Prescott fall again. Working against the health and safety of the position is the highly suspect offensive tackle situation and potentially problematic running game. Cowboys' wildcard at QB: Joe Milton Milton is the kind of QB that can get a coach fired or get a coach enshrined. The supremely talented 25-year-old has the kind of potential that inspires dreams. He also has the consistency that causes nightmares, needing snaps and proper tutelage. The number of outcomes Milton offers is as wide ranging as Baskin Robbins. He could be next great steal the Cowboys stumble into or he could be just another prospect who never reached his potential. He just might be the most interesting thing to watch in camp this summer. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Shedeur Sanders' Latest Projection Has Browns QB Ending Up a Hall of Famer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering the 2025 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns are going through a major quarterback competition. While there are four players competing for playing time, Shedeur Sanders has become the talk of the team. While he may not begin the season as the starting quarterback for the Browns, many believe that he will end it in that role. Sanders was an electrifying player throughout his college career. He was projected by most to be a first or second round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Seeing him slide to the fifth round was one of the biggest surprises in NFL Draft history. Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. Photo byDespite falling much lower than anticipated, Sanders has remained confident. He is simply focused on improving and becoming a starter. Read more: Browns' Jerry Jeudy Gets Brutally Honest About QB Situation To that end, he has been a great teammate so far in Cleveland. He has learned as much as he possibly can and is competing hard for playing time. With that being said, a new projection would see Sanders end his NFL career as a Hall of Famer. DraftKings took to social media to share their career projections for Sanders. What they have put forward is nothing short of jaw-dropping. They believe that Sanders will throw for 62,804 yards and 454 touchdowns throughout his career, completing 68.7 percent of his passes and winning 144 games. In addition, they have him winning a Super Bowl, an MVP, making it to seven Pro Bowls, and becoming a Hall of Famer. As for which teams they think he'll play for throughout his career, he's projected to play for the Browns from 2025-34, the New Orleans Saints from 2035-37, and the Las Vegas Raiders from 2038-39. Pro Football Hall of Famer Shedeur Sanders 👀 — DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 24, 2025 Read more: Browns Receive Head-Turning QB Prediction From Former NFL Star Clearly, they are buying all of the hype when it comes to Sanders. There would be no better way for him to fire back at all of the critics, haters, and teams that passed on him in the draft than by going on to have this kind of career. Making these kinds of projections for a quarterback who hasn't played a snap in the NFL is also wild. It's fun to think about, but these are over the moon expectations for the young signal caller. It will be interesting to see how Sanders looks during preseason action. He has the talent to become a special NFL quarterback, but now it's up to him to prove that he actually has what it takes on the field. For more Cleveland Browns and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
