Carter Bahns· Sep 28, 2026
Bahns argues McCarthy's Minnesota tenure was a bust and that he is unlikely to ever live up to his No. 10 overall draft billing, predicting the Giants' low-cost gamble won't pay off and that he may not even beat out Jameis Winston for the starting job.
“It would be a surprise if he ever delivered on the high expectations that followed him out of college.”
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- Draft Bust CallsJ.J. McCarthyNew York GiantsSep 28, 2026
J.J. McCarthy to disappoint at the next level
“McCarthy has the pedigree of a potential mid-career breakout as a former No. 10 overall pick, but his Minnesota career was a bust. It would be a surprise if he ever delivered on the high expectations that followed him out of college.”
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What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New York GiantsHit · 98Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Ryan WilsonPosition Order Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Recalling his pre-draft evaluation, Wilson notes he had ranked J.J. McCarthy as the fifth quarterback in the 2024 class and given him a second-round grade rather than a first-round one, citing the gap between Michigan's system and NFL demands.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
More draft bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- John MiddlekauffDraft Bust Calls · Caleb WilliamsMiss · 0Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. He is pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying he'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. He also sees Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix.
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- John GreenDraft Bust Calls · T.J. SandersPendingGreen expects the Bills to place second-year defensive lineman T.J. Sanders on injured reserve while Phidarian Mathis returns from suspension to the active roster, and argues Sanders is already trending toward bust status relative to his No. 41 overall selection.
- Blaine GrisakDraft Bust Calls · Xavier LegettePendingGrisak argues the Rams still need a third wide receiver and lists five trade candidates they should explore, while judging both Quentin Johnston and Xavier Legette as first-round receivers who have not lived up to their draft billing.
- Jared DubinDraft Bust Calls · Marvin Harrison Jr.PendingDubin argues Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick, has been marginalized in Arizona's offense and warns that if his current usage and effort continue he will be remembered as a major draft bust.
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