J.J. McCarthy is rising up draft boards and buzz is building that the Michigan quarterback could be chosen in the top-five picks of the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
McCarthy is set to throw in front of scouts, coaches, general managers, and executives from around the league in Ann Arbor at Michigan’s Pro Day on Friday, March 22, and at least one former GM has high hopes.
“After JJ McCarthy works out at Michigan today, he will add to the narrative of being the most interesting and maybe talented NFL passer in this year‘s group.” former NFL Executive of The Year, Randy Mueller posted on X (Formerly known as Twitter).
Fresh off leading the Wolverines to a National Championship, McCarthy is part of a loaded quarterback class that includes USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s reigning Hesiman winner Jayden Daniels, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye as the top four prospects at the position.
This isn’t the first time that Mueller has raved about J.J. McCarthy or his upside.
“You better put J.J. McCarthy in that top group of quarterbacks,” Mueller recently told me. “Because he may have the biggest ceiling of all of them.
“He crushed it in Indy, and he actually crushed it on film, it’s just taking certain people a while to catch up and realize.”
It remains to be seen whether McCarthy will leapfrog the likes of Daniels or Maye into the top-three selections, or if a team such as the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, or Las Vegas Raiders will trade up to select him.
J.J. MCCarthy Scouting Report
J.J. McCarthy, by all accounts according to multiple league sources, won over executives and coaches during meetings at the NFL Combine.
On the field, his best football might be in front of him, especially after playing in such a run-heavy system at Michigan. .
“Enigmatic quarterback lacking the measurables and splash throws associated with early round quarterbacks,” Lance Zierlein writes for NFL.com. “But possessing elements that require more study and consideration. McCarthy lacks frame thickness and a plus arm. He’s fairly poised in the pocket but is average as a pocket passer. His ball placement and timing need to improve to help mitigate an average operation time due to a windup release.
“McCarthy doesn’t seek to play out of structure but is fairly consistent at making positive plays when it happens and ramps up his focus late in games and on third downs. He is confident and seems to have the ability to take slights and digest it as competitive fuel. McCarthy should continue to improve as a passer, but he fails to stand out in many of the areas that tend to be predictive of top-level success in the NFL.”
At his pro day, J.J. McCarthy has a chance to make a bold statement that he has the tools and traits to be a top pick in the upcoming draft.
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