Vikings' Justin Jefferson, Darnold Fantasy Draft Landing Spots After McCarthy Injury

All of the optimism around J.J. McCarthy's preseason debut on Saturday has given way to sadness after Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed the rookie quarterback will miss the entire 2024 season.

O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday that McCarthy had to undergo a full meniscus repair for his injured knee.

For fantasy managers who have already done their draft or are in the process of preparing for it, McCarthy's injury significantly changes the outlook for Sam Darnold this season.

Justin Jefferson's fantasy outlook is unlikely to be as impacted by this situation. He was already the No. 4 receiver and sixth overall player coming off the board in PPR leagues, per FantasyPros. Only CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill and Ja'Marr Chase were being drafted ahead of him among wide receivers.

Last season already proved that Jefferson can put up huge numbers regardless of who is playing quarterback.

Over the final four games of the 2023 campaign when Nick Mullens started three times and Jaren Hall started once in Week 17 before being benched at halftime, Jefferson caught 30 passes for 476 yards and two touchdowns. He had at least 84 yards in three of those games and more than 140 yards twice, including 192 in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions.

Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown were the only receivers who scored more points in PPR than Jefferson from Weeks 15 to 18.

Darnold seemed to be in line to be Minnesota's QB1 to open the regular season anyway. He was listed atop the quarterback depth chart prior to McCarthy's injury. This ensures that Darnold will start all 17 games for the Vikings, barring an injury of his own.

The 27-year-old Darnold is barely getting drafted unless you play in a deep league or a superflex league that allows you to use two quarterbacks. He's the 33rd quarterback coming off the board in drafts for PPR leagues, per FantasyPros.

That positioning will certainly change now that it's confirmed Darnold will be the full-time starter. He's behind Bo Nix (QB 24), Drake Maye (QB 31) and Michael Penix Jr. (QB 32). The latter two will almost certainly be backups to open the season.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the QB 20, followed by Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson. Darnold is at least worthy of a spot between Stafford and Mayfield because of the infrastructure around him.

There is a contingent of football analysts who think that Darnold is secretly a capable quarterback—possibly even better than that—who has been sabotaged by terrible situations throughout his career.

Darnold has rarely had stability with his offensive coaches since entering the NFL as the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft. He played for six different offensive coordinators in his first six seasons.

O'Connell will be the second-best offensive play-caller he's worked with, after spending last season with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Vikings also have a fantastic infrastructure around Darnold to take advantage of his talent. Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones are very good players. Jordan Addison's status is murky because he could be facing a suspension from the NFL stemming from two misdemeanor charges related to a July arrest for suspicion of DUI.

If the Vikings get a full season from Addison to go along with Jefferson, Hockenson and Jones, plus a solid offensive line to protect him, Darnold could flirt with 3,500 passing yards and 20-plus touchdowns in a 17-game season.