The Vikings shouldn’t make J.J. McCarthy available. Sam Darnold has been nothing short of magnificent this season, but barring a trip to the Super Bowl, they don’t have to pick one or the other yet. They should franchise tag Darnold (which isn’t an issue since the team has $77 million in cap space), make him show it for one more year, and then decide.
An anomaly: Have your cake and eat it, too.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will keep his phone lines up, though – as all GMs do. And depending on what happens in Sunday’s battle with the Eagles’ backups, the Giants should make a call. New York needs a quarterback next season, and there’s no reason not to pursue McCarthy.
Shedeur Sanders has been the center of the Giants’ world ever since this season went completely off the rails. The reward for such embarrassing on-field futility was Colorado’s quarterback. The Giants would welcome his confidence as much as his arm – infusing new energy into a lost franchise.
Two losses were the only thing separating the Giants from Sanders: The Colts and Eagles. They beat Indianapolis last weekend, erasing the control they had over their pick. Now they’ll face a Philadelphia squad that is planning on resting the majority of its starters.
The Giants currently hold the No. 4 pick. A win over the Eagles could drop them as low as No. 8.
You’re not getting Sanders at No. 8. You can’t trade up for him, either, if quarterback-needy teams pick No. 1 or 2 (Titans, Browns, Jaguars). In that case, don’t force a Jalen Milroe (Alabama) or Quinn Ewers (Texas) selection — offer up No. 8 to Minnesota and get McCarthy.
SNY touched base with multiple talent evaluators across the NFL. McCarthy, if in this class, would have the highest grade of any quarterback, according to three.
“He wasn’t the same caliber as Caleb Williams, (Jayden) Daniels, (Drake) Maye.” one said. “System and environment factor more with (McCarthy). This year, though? Yes. He’d be the top quarterback. No doubt.”
McCarthy was among the more polarizing players in last year’s draft. His college statistics during his final season were lackluster – 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions. That was less an indictment on McCarthy, though, and more the system he played in. Michigan ran the ball, and then ran it some more.
They didn’t need McCarthy to win them games, so they didn’t ask him to. That didn’t mean he couldn’t, though. His mental acumen, pro-style experience, and physical gifts were on display at his pro day. His leadership has been praised by all those who coached or played with him.
McCarthy played one preseason game this year. He went 11-of-17 for 188 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He suffered a season-ending knee injury, but nothing that jeopardizes his long-term future with the team.
The Giants had a chance to draft McCarthy last year. He was there with the pick they used to select receiver Malik Nabers. Clearly, New York had their concerns after extensive research on the quarterback. But this isn’t about liking McCarthy then, it’s about liking him more than the options now — and McCarthy could potentially be the best.
Again: Minnesota shouldn’t trade McCarthy. The right move is the obvious move: Tag Darnold, see it again, then decide your best course of action.
This isn’t like when the Giants faced their own tag-or-extend dilemma with Daniel Jones. They didn’t have the near-$80 million in cap space the Vikings do. If they tagged Jones, they couldn’t do anything else in free agency. Minnesota can tag and still round out the roster with free agent dollars.
That shouldn’t stop the Giants from calling, though. They need a quarterback.
Do what you can to get the best one.
