The Minnesota Vikings ultimately selected J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick, and it sounds like that selection came after he impressed quarterbacks coach Josh McCown during the pre-draft process.
During a recent press conference, Josh McCown said that the team went through a “very thorough” pre-draft process and was particularly impressed by the way J.J. McCarthy played during his pro day.
“Then when we went back for the private workout, just the meeting-room time — you could tell he’s been very well coached and his retention on the plays and materials we gave him and asked him to talk through was spot on. He was A-plus in that regard,” McCown said.
McCown also said that Minnesota felt McCarthy was a “coachable” player, which was certainly another reason why they felt comfortable drafting him.
“That was encouraging as well. But I’d say the classroom more than anything and his personal ability with — you’re sitting in a classroom with a bunch of coaches, it can be intimidating as a young player. And he held his own, both intellectually on the board and then relationally and emotionally,” McCown said.
Now, they’ll have to get him ready to play and see how he develops.
