It has been a nightmare start to J.J. McCarthy’s NFL career, with the outlook getting even worse. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that McCarthy reported some concussion symptoms on the travel home, and he is now in concussion protocol.
This quarterback outlook has been made worse with Carson Wentz already ruled out for the season with a torn labrum and fractured socket in his left shoulder. If McCarthy is unable to clear concussion protocol, Max Brosmer would get the start for Minnesota this week vs. the Seahawks.
Putting aside that McCarthy ranks 851st out of 852 qualifying players in EPA per Dropback since 2000, this is a major change to the Minnesota offense. Justin Jefferson and the rest of the skill position players have not reached their expected heights this year, with quarterback play as a driving reason why. But could Max Brosmer create a spark that benefits the team?
Justin Jefferson Fantasy Football Outlook for Week 13 vs. Seahawks
For most of his career, Justin Jefferson has been viewed as a “quarterback-proof” wide receiver. He has tallied 1,000+ yards and at least five touchdowns in every season of his career, regardless of who is throwing him the football. Jefferson has had a clear case for the best wide receiver in football for this very reason, and the inability of McCarthy to maximize him is a bit of an indictment in his own right.
On the season overall, Jefferson has tallied 60 receptions for 795 yards and two touchdowns. His 72.3 receiving yards per game mark a career-low, with the LSU product not being held to fewer than 90 yards per game since his rookie season.
Looking at DraftKings scoring, Jefferson is averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game, which still ranks 16th among wide receivers. However, he has never finished a season with fewer than 18.4 fantasy points per game or less than 19.6 since his rookie season.
Max Brosmer is a pure question mark at the quarterback position. The Minnesota product was signed to the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this year and has attempted just eight passes on the season. Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system is about as friendly as possible for quarterbacks, which is a point in his favor. If Brosmer is to get the start, he will be facing a Seahawks defense that ranks 14th in passing yards allowed, fourth in net yards per pass attempt and 11th in passing touchdowns conceded.
If you drafted Jefferson in season-long formats, it required a high draft pick to do so. While he is underperforming based on his sky-high standards, the former Offensive Player of the Year is still outperforming plenty of other options. There is a world where Brosmer is able to make the simple reads in a way that McCarthy has fallen short.
Roll with the punches for now and keep Jefferson in your lineups, even if expectations should be a bit tempered. He is the most talented player on the Minnesota offense, and the team will still be looking to make a clear effort to put the football in his hands.
Stay tuned for more updates on McCarthy’s status as the week progresses, but feel confident in Jefferson’s outlook against the Seahawks regardless. He may not post the totals that can win you the week in what has become commonplace, but you could do far worse than having the star wide receiver in your lineups.
