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J.J. McCarthy will make his long-awaited NFL debut against the Bears in Chicago on Monday night.
The Michigan product is typically hailed as your average pocket passer, but Vikings fans will soon learn that McCarthy loves to use his legs as well.
At the 2024 NFL Combine, McCarthy ran a 4.48 40-yard dash.
During his time in Ann Arbor, McCarthy repeatedly showed that he can escape pressure and gain yardage on his own.
McCarthy likened his scrambling prowess to a secret weapon he plans to use at the pro level in an interview with ESPN last month
“I think that’s a huge part of my game,” McCarthy told the outlet when asked about his running ability. “It’s a weapon in this league. You kind of have to have it, with these edge rushers and the different pressure looks.”
In his only preseason game, McCarthy used his legs for an eight-yard gain on 4th-and-4 in a potential sign of things to come in Minnesota.
In two seasons as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback, McCarthy ran for 508 yards.
During the College Football Playoff against Alabama and Washington, which were as close as it can get to NFL defenses at the college level, McCarthy averaged 28 rushing yards per game.
McCarthy’s rushing yards over/under is sitting at just 15.5 yards as oddsmakers wait to see how the signal-caller will adjust to the NFL level after a knee injury took him out for all of 2024.
Betting on the NFL?
During his last season at Michigan, McCarthy went over that number in nine of 15 games.
Let’s see if McCarthy’s athletic ability will transfer to the pros.
The pick: J.J. McCarthy Over 15.5 rushing yards (-130, Fanatics Sportsbook)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
