Is J.J. McCarthy the Giants' starting quarterback?

He will start Week 7 at Houston. ESPN's depth chart lists him first, and Jameis Winston is second. Coach John Harbaugh has not committed past that game. The Giants are on bye in Week 8.

Should I add J.J. McCarthy in dynasty?

In Superflex and 2QB leagues, yes. In 1QB leagues, wait for his first start. His case so far is one quarter against a team that was already ahead by 24.

Did J.J. McCarthy's dynasty value jump when he was named the starter?

No. The live score is 382, inside a range of 347 to 437. The chart lists him first, and the score stays in that band because he has about 22 percent of the pass attempts in the two games that count. Winston still has about 85 percent over the last three weeks.

What happens to Jaxson Dart?

Dart is out for the season with the knee injury he suffered in Week 2. McCarthy starting does not change that. The Giants moved up in the first round to draft Dart.

News

J.J. McCarthy Is the Giants' QB1. Is He a Dynasty Add?

Dynasty managers: J.J. McCarthy will start for the Giants in Week 7 after one big quarter. Who to add, who to hold and what it means for Jaxson Dart.

By Casey Whitfield · October 21, 2026

Quick answer: Add him in Superflex and two-QB leagues. Skip him in 1QB. He has one good quarter on tape against a team that was already ahead by 24, and his first full start comes Sunday in Houston.

What happened

The Giants will start J.J. McCarthy against the Texans. ESPN's depth chart lists him first, and Jeremy Fowler reported the Week 7 start on Wednesday. Jameis Winston, who started the last four games, goes back to backup.

Winston was benched Sunday with the Giants down 34-10 to New Orleans, just under 12 minutes left. He finished 14 of 26 for 152 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. McCarthy took over. His first series ended in an interception. After that he led three scoring drives, finished 11 of 21 for 243 yards and a touchdown to Isaiah Likely, and ran twice for 26 yards. The Giants lost, and McCarthy had them in the red zone at the end. ESPN says those 243 yards were the second-most in a fourth quarter by a non-starter in 25 years.

Harbaugh waited until midweek to decide, and said Monday he was still narrowing it down.

Why not to overreact

Context is the first caution. The Saints had a 24-point lead when he came in. A quarter of garbage-time yards is not a season.

The 2025 tape is the second. He started for Minnesota last season, and the underlying numbers were a worry even with strong receivers around him. He hasn't started a game since last season.

The score is the third. His live Dynasty Value Score is 382, inside a range of 347 to 437. Listing him first did not reprice him. Over the last three weeks he has about 22 percent of the pass attempts in the two games that count, and Winston still has about 85 percent.

Next is Houston. The Texans' defense has played worse than expected this year, which helps. It is one game, and both teams are on bye in Week 8. That gives Harbaugh a natural point to look again.

What the Giants gave up to get him

Not much. New York traded a 2027 fifth-round pick for him three weeks ago, after Jaxson Dart went down with a knee injury in Week 2 that ended his season. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan, and he is 23. The Giants bought the potential cheaply, and they are now finding out what it is worth.

The Giants are 3-2-1 and lead the NFC East. That makes the audition less relaxed than it would have been in a lost season.

What to do with your roster

Superflex or 2QB:Add him. A starting quarterback who can run is worth a bench spot. Use waiver priority if your league has it. Do not pay a starter's price. The score has not caught up to the job, and it should not until the attempts do.

1QB: Pass for now. Wait to see Sunday before you spend a spot.

You already own him: Hold. The score did not jump when he was named the starter, so there is nothing to cash in, and one start is not enough to sell on.

You own Dart: Nothing changes. He is out for 2026 whoever starts, and the Giants traded up for him in the 2025 first round. Check an offer for either one in the Dynasty Trade Calculator.

Join the founding waitlist

Founding leagues lock in $2.00 per player, forever. Price rises to $3.00 once the founding cohort is full.

Founding leagues also get permanent Founding Franchise status in your Vault history.

Price him in the trade calculator →

FAQ

Is J.J. McCarthy the Giants' starting quarterback?: He will start Week 7 at Houston. ESPN's depth chart lists him first, and Jameis Winston is second. Coach John Harbaugh has not committed past that game. The Giants are on bye in Week 8.
Should I add J.J. McCarthy in dynasty?: In Superflex and 2QB leagues, yes. In 1QB leagues, wait for his first start. His case so far is one quarter against a team that was already ahead by 24.
Did J.J. McCarthy's dynasty value jump when he was named the starter?: No. The live score is 382, inside a range of 347 to 437. The chart lists him first, and the score stays in that band because he has about 22 percent of the pass attempts in the two games that count. Winston still has about 85 percent over the last three weeks.
What happens to Jaxson Dart?: Dart is out for the season with the knee injury he suffered in Week 2. McCarthy starting does not change that. The Giants moved up in the first round to draft Dart.

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