Strengths: Nifty movement skills inside and outside of pocket, drives ball over middle of the field and outside the numbers, works well within pro-style structure, pressure doesn’t faze him

Weaknesses: Lack of touch when layered throws are necessary, sub-par deep passer, inconsistent footwork, particularly when throwing to his left

J.J. McCarthy is the NFL draft’s version of an abstract painting. The viewer projects what they want to see upon his body of work.

From a fundamental standpoint, the 21-year-old’s skill set is well-crafted. McCarthy is a 6’3″, 219-pound quarterback with excellent arm action, pocket movement and mobility. He has the canvas to be something truly special.

At the same time, the picture isn’t complete. McCarthy made some phenomenal throws during Michigan’s run to a national title, but he played in a run-first offense and he averaged at least five fewer attempts per game than any of the other this year’s top quarterback prospects.

The number itself isn’t a problem, because his traits can still be projected. But he had fewer opportunities to make critical throws during key, late-game moments.

Still, the ability is present. Really, the standard for McCarthy is built upon his internal makeup.

“…once [NFL scouts] were around him, I was hearing the stories about how he is on the board, how he is on the field, the little things, the intangibles,” former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. “I mean, it was absolutely no surprise whatsoever. But yeah, there was raving, and it was great to hear and incredible to hear.”

Kudos, Minnesota Vikings. They didn’t bite on all the rumor-mongering about McCarthy going much higher in the draft. Instead of moving their extra first-round pick to trade up into the top five, the Vikings flipped fourth- and fifth-round picks to move up one spot, while getting a sixth-rounder back.

McCarthy moves into an awesome situation with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver as well as T.J. Hockenson at tight end. The 21-year-old will also get to work with head coach/offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, both of whom played quarterback in the NFL.