Coach John Harbaugh's New York Giants traded for former Minnesota Vikings and Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy leading Ian Rapoport to make a prediction about his usage. McCarthy got a three-word compliment from Harbaugh that bodes well for his chances of succeeding.

McCarthy will likely back up Jameis Winston in New York, giving him time to get acclimated to his new home while learning from one of the NFL's most experienced quarterbacks.

McCarthy became a pariah in Minnesota after a promising start and injury-plagued finish to his Vikings career, but he has a real chance to redeem himself on Harbaugh's team.

Big opportunity

McCarthy will face less competition at quarterback than he did in Minnesota with Jaxson Dart is on injured reserve. Winston is wise enough to put the Giants over his individual statistics but the team will need him to perform better than his 14-22, 118-yard game against the Titans in Week 3.

McCarthy knows he's one injury or bad performance away from starting which will put him in the right mindset.

Less expectations

The Giants gave up a mere fifth round pick for McCarthy which will have a positive effect on his expectations going forward. Playing in New York typically comes with more expectations than other cities, but McCarthy will have lower ones in New York compared to Minnesota where he was expected to lead his team to a division title from day one.

McCarthy needs time to recalibrate after a wild time in the Twin Cities, now he has that chance in preparation for what could be a bigger role.

Rush to judgment

McCarthy was type cast as a disappointment with the Vikings after coach Kevin O'Connell brought in Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray to compete with and eventually replace him this offseason, but he performed well considering the circumstances.

McCarthy's first three NFL games yielded stats of 57.6% completions, 444 pass yards, 62 rush yards, and six total touchdowns. Murray and Wentz were both selected earlier in their respective drafts than McCarthy and started out with 56.1% completions, 427 pass yards, 28 run yards and four total touchdowns between them, according to one Vikings writer.

McCarthy should be commended for starting early in his Vikings career instead of being reminded of how he failed to lead his team to a title.

Harbaugh connection

McCarthy was close, and successful, with his former head coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and now has a chance to repeat that success in New York with his brother John Harbaugh. John Harbaugh had success with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and now has a chance to take what he learned and apply it to McCarthy, who also brings strong running skills.

Skattebo Effect

McCarthy will team up with a player on a similar career path in running back Cam Skattebo, who has performed well with Harbaugh's Giants. McCarthy and Skattebo are both well known from their college football days and both thrive playing on emotion and putting their bodies on the line.

There is a feeling in the air that McCarthy and Skattebo are destined to play together, and play well, at some point for the Giants. Their personalities, along with McCarthy and Harbaugh's personalities, seem like perfect fits, giving each player an opportunity to energize the other as the Giants' season ramps up.