NFL personnel have major questions about Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, and those answers could change everything

J.J. McCarthy ranks in tier 4 on Mike Sando's QB Tier List

Within the rankings, each quarterback is grouped into tiers, along with an overall ranking. Among 34 quarterbacks, McCarthy was put into tier four and ranked 29th overall, one spot behind Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons, and one spot above his former teammate Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts.

What's really interesting about this tier is that it combines two different types of quarterbacks:

A Tier 4 quarterback could be an unproven player (not enough information for voters to classify) or a veteran who ideally would not start all 17 games.

It's completely fair to put him in the unproven category, as he's played in less than 50 NFL snaps, with all of them coming across two preseason games. He looks the part from multiple aspects, including his strong arm. There are other aspects to consider, and one coach is concerned about him from an aspect that has been often discussed.

"I just hope he is not an (injury-prone) guy," this coach said.

McCarthy did tear his meniscus last preseason, but that's the only injury he's dealt with since he enrolled at the University of Michigan. It's too early to consider him injury prone, but one more could change everything for his future.

The injury angle was a major theme of the feedback Sando got from him. However, there is one aspect that hasn't been discussed enough when it comes to McCarthy: he's in the perfectr system.

"I would have hope for him with that coach and that system if he can stay healthy," a former GM said. "He has that slight build. He looked pretty good in the (2024) preseason, in a short period of time. I believe in the head coach and the system. He has the arm strength, he is athletic, he is smart, he has all those things."

Like the above coach said, McCarthy does have all of those things. It's also not unfair to see him ranked this low. There is only so much a pre-draft evaluation can do for you a year later. Can he put it together and rise up the rankings after the season?

Don't be surprised if he jumps up a tier or two next season. The proof will be on film soon.