NFL Draft Analyst Believes J.J. McCarthy Can (and Will) Start for Vikings in Week 1

[J.J. McCarthy] told me that he wanted to end up in Minnesota, saying he would “love” to play for the Vikings. 

Joel Klatt – FoxSports.com

After only a few days from that conversation, McCarthy’s wish came true and he was selected 10th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

The debate becomes whether J.J. McCarthy should and could start right away

At this point of the offseason, everything seems to slow down until things pick back up again in late July when Vikings’ training camp begins. Although news is slow, the debate about whether McCarthy should start right away or sit and learn for some period of time rages on and the fan base is quite split on what the Vikings should do.

Despite the discussions between fans, Joel Klatt, who played quarterback in college for the Colorado Buffaloes and has covered College Football for almost two decades, doesn’t think this should be a debate among fans. He calls McCarthy hyper competitive, really skilled, and a strong leader. Critical traits that are needed in the NFL he already has.

“Of course, the debate becomes whether McCarthy should and could start right away. I believe that he can and will start for Kevin O’Connell. McCarthy is hyper-competitive and really skilled. The Vikings are going to see a guy who can win them football games right away, partly because of what he does on the field, but also because he’s such a strong leader. He went 27-1 as Michigan’s starting quarterback, making plays in key moments where prior Michigan teams failed.”

Joel Klatt – FoxSports.com

Although Kevin O’Connell is the one with the final decision on whether McCarthy starts week one or not, Klatt’s comments will only fuel the debate on whether he starts immediately or sits behind Sam Darnold to open the season.

Only time will tell if Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ agree with Joel Klatt

Overall, Klatt seems pretty adamant that McCarthy is ready for the NFL. McCarthy is surrounded by one of the best offenses in the league with skill players such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson while also being bookended by top offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.

McCarthy’s third-down tape was as good as any of the other quarterbacks and was the best intermediate passer of all the top quarterbacks heading into the draft. In the end, we’ll see if O’Connell will let the kid loose or keep the training wheels on him for awhile.

Only time will tell.