Giants Depth Chart, 2027 NFL Draft Picks, Salary Cap After Surprise J.J. McCarthy Trade with Vikings

J.J. McCarthy is on the move for the first time in his NFL career.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday the Minnesota Vikings traded the quarterback to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the move saved the Vikings more than $4.6 million in cash and cap space.

Here is a look at New York's updated quarterback depth chart:

Role	Player
Starter	Jameis Winston
Backup	J.J. McCarthy
Third-String	Jake Haener

McCarthy is joining a Giants team that has $10.9 million in team cap space, per Over The Cap. That team also lost its fifth-round pick in the trade, leaving it with the following 2027 picks:

• First Round (own pick)
• Second Round (own pick)
• Third Round (own pick)
• Sixth Round (own pick)
• Sixth Round (Jacksonville Jaguars' pick)

New York has been aggressive in trades including 2027 draft picks outside of just Monday's move.

They acquired a sixth-rounder from the Jaguars for offensive lineman Daniel Faalele but also traded away a fourth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns for Malachi Fields and traded away a seventh-rounder and Darren Waller to the Miami Dolphins.

Attention now turns to the immediate future, though, after adding McCarthy to a quarterback room that will be missing Jaxson Dart for the remainder of the campaign.

New York is still in solid position at 2-1, but it is fair to wonder about the overall ceiling of the team without its starting quarterback. Jameis Winston was unspectacular in Sunday's 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans at 14-of-22 for 118 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions, although he protected the ball and avoided any turnovers.

▶️Full Titans-Giants Recap

05:58

Sometimes all backup quarterbacks are asked to do is protect the ball, especially when the defense is playing as well as New York did on Sunday.

But Winston is eventually going to have make plays instead of just managing the game if he wants to protect his starting role from McCarthy. 

McCarthy, who played for Giants head coach John Harbaugh's brother Jim at Michigan, entered the league as the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft but never lived up to elevated expectations in Minnesota.

He missed his rookie season with injury and then completed just 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. He was also demoted to third-string behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz this season, so this move at least gives him a change of scenery and chance to move up a depth chart.

Perhaps Harbaugh will see McCarthy as the quarterback with the higher ceiling and eventually give him a chance as the Giants chase a playoff spot this season. For now, Winston is coming off a win and will look to build momentum in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.