JJ McCarthy has leapt up draft boards, according to reports, at least, ever since the end of the first waves of free agency, as attention slowly starts to move towards the 2024 NFL draft in 10 days time.
The NFL Cannot Seem To Unify Its Opinion on JJ McCarthy
Although McCarthy was not asked to carry his team the same way Heisman Trophy winners, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels both did this past season, many NFL coaches and scouts believe the work McCarthy did produce on tape, combined with his evidently impressive physical traits, including a rocket arm, may well warrant a top 10, and perhaps even a top 5 pick.
At this point, Williams has been locked in to go to the Chicago Bears ever since Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers back in March. After that, the #2 pick, belonging to the Washington Commanders, is still very much up in the air, with Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and indeed McCarthy all in play to be selected.
Whilst rumors have cooled on McCarthy being the 2nd overall pick, after reports and mock drafts had him surging up the board, it seems as if he is still in contention to go to Washington, per Adam Schefter.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy’s final pre-draft visit will come Tuesday and Wednesday, when he is scheduled to meet with the Commanders. McCarthy then will have visited the Commanders, Patriots and Giants, while also conducting private workouts for the Vikings, Broncos and Giants. pic.twitter.com/oQQJuuckJM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2024
JJ McCarthy Heading To The Washington Commanders, Or Just Another Smoke Screen?
Much like the New England Patriots, the Washington Commanders are evidently doing their research on the player many still believe could and should end up as an early 1st round pick, even if, at this point, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are in a better position to end up in D.C..
McCarthy is a proven winner with impressive intangibles as a leader. NFL teams also like the fact that, whilst his work does not jump off the screen like Daniels’ or Williams’, he managed to display enough talent to showcase his high ceiling, and did so without making consistent errors or lapses in decision making, something fellow classmen, Drake Maye, struggled mightily with in 2023.
JJ is considered to be, in some ways, the biggest quarterback question mark in the draft, despite starting 28 games in college, due to the focal points of his Michigan offense being drawn away from him, with former head coach, Jim Harbaugh preferring to focus on the offensive line and power run game.
He certainly has the upside and raw arm talent – as a widely recruited 5 star high school prospect – to be a highly successful player in the National Football League. And, in all honesty, McCarthy may likely be better served landing somewhere he can sit and learn behind a veteran for a year or more whilst coming to grips with the intricacies of the league.
For Additional Content
Hello there. If you enjoyed this article (or, really, even if you didn’t). Please go and follow me on Twitter @danielarwas for more NFL breaking news, updates, and “special edition” previews.
Our Partners
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
Radtke Sports
Wisconsin Sports Heroics is proud to partner with Radtke Sports to offer autographed memorabilia. Brett Favre, Rob Gronkowski, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and MORE Guaranteed Authentic Collectibles and Memorabilia, including signed jerseys, photos, and more at www.RadtkeSports.com USE promo code: WSH for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase. Some restrictions may apply.