O'Connell: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy had 'phenomenal offseason'

Jul 22, 2025

"He's absolutely had a phenomenal offseason, from the time before the offseason program started through the nine weeks that we were allowed to be on the grass, and then I think it's been awesome this summer seeing these guys getting together, working. You feel the energy and the enthusiasm not only that J.J. has brought to the group, but that they're reciprocating right back to him."

Fantasy Impact:

It's not the first positive report we've seen about McCarthy so far. Our John Paulsen summed up McCarthy's fantasy stock: Last year, three quarterbacks drafted QB20 or later finished in the top 12: Baker Mayfield (QB21), Sam Darnold (QB31), and Bo Nix (QB23). They had a couple of things in common: 1) a strong offensive mind calling the plays, and 2) they can score fantasy points with their legs. Darnold (QB27) can run, but Klint Kubiak is not a certified offensive genius like, say, O’Connell, who coaxed a QB8 finish out of Darnold last season. That’s why I like QB19 McCarthy to meet or exceed his draft position. It’s pretty simple: In O’Connell we trust. McCarthy will run a bit and has a nice group of weapons, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.

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Colts: Still time for QB Anthony Richardson 'to prove it'

ESPN

2 hours ago

There's still time for 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson to prove he's capable of being a QB1 in the NFL, Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said Monday.

It's not a new topic for Irsay-Gordon -- far from it -- but she said she'd like to bring "urgency" to all sides of the conversation around the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft. That's why Richardson will arrive to training camp in a competition with Daniel Jones, the sixth pick in the 2019 draft with the New York Giants.

"Where he is in his career and in his deal as a rookie, we still have time," Irsay-Gordon said in a wide-ranging interview with Colts.com.

"He still has time to prove it. ... Bring a sense of urgency. And nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition."

Fantasy Impact:

It's been a quick fall for Richardson since 2023. As the story said, injuries and availability have been a big issue. While Richardson was limited in the offseason by his shoulder injury, GM Chris Ballard said there are no restrictions for the quarterback entering this year's training camp, according to the story. Accuracy was another issue, the story pointed out. He had a league-low 47.7 completion percentage last season.

Chargers sign RB Nyheim Hines

Pro Football Talk

2 hours ago

Running back Nyheim Hines has found a place to continue his NFL career.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Hines has agreed to sign with the Chargers. Hines has not played since suffering a serious leg injury in a jet ski accident in July 2023.

Related players: Najee Harris, Omaarion Hampton

Fantasy Impact:

Hines was playing for the Bills at the time of his injury and signed with the Browns last year, but never came off of the non-football injury list while in Cleveland, the story went on to say.
Harris is currently on the non-football injury list after suffering an eye injury in a fireworks accident and Hampton is a rookie, but both are still expected to lead the way in the backfield this season for the Chargers. It's possible Hines, if healthy, could carve out a role in the passing game.

Bengals: RB Chase Brown will be a focal point

Marshall Kramsky on X

5 hours ago

Bengals Offensive Coordinator Dan Pitcher said that RB Chase Brown will be one of the focal points of the Bengals offense this year.

Related players: Chase Brown, Zack Moss, Samaje Perine

Fantasy Impact:

It's an exciting through for those who own or will own Brown this season, especially considering how high-powered the offense can be, and, with a defense that struggled to stop anyone last season. Brown finished as the fantasy RB11 overall and RB16 on a per-game basis. He took over the backfield after Moss went down and made the most of his opportunity, ranking as the RB6 from Week 9 to Week 17. He caught 54 passes—5th among running backs—and played a key role in one of the league’s best offenses. The Bengals brought Moss back and added Perine, who could siphon off passing-down work and limit Brown’s weekly floor. Still, Brown looks like the favorite to lead this backfield in touches and carries high-end RB2 value in a high-scoring offense. If he holds onto the passing-game role, there’s room for more. He could be great value with his current ADP of the early-to-mid third round.