Don’t look now but there seems to be a growing belief in the NFL realm that JJ McCarthy is the third-best 2024 NFL Draft quarterback prospect.
Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans and Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels are widely believed No. 1 and No. 2 QBs, respectively, while Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers remains the consensus No. 3. However, it may be time to stop believing that McCarthy doesn’t belong in the same tier as Williams and Maye.
According to Ben Solak of The Ringer, at least some people at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis seem to be more enamored with the idea of the former Michigan Wolverines signal-caller getting selected before the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at the 2024 NFL Draft.
J.J. McCarthy may be QB3.
It is smoke-screen season, and I very well may be getting hooked by it. But in Indianapolis, I heard significantly more interest and excitement for how high Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy might go relative to how high LSU QB Jayden Daniels might go.
JJ McCarthy Turned Many Heads At NFL Combine Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
By and large, McCarthy appeared to have put together an impressive showing at the Combine. Here’s what Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News said of the Michigan product:
“McCarthy started rough with some inaccurate throws, but he got back on track, showing a live arm both on zipping passes on short-to-intermediate and deeper routes. He showed why he’s bit of a untapped talent coming out of a run-heavy offense.”
Unlike most other NFL Draft QB prospects, McCarthy did not throw a lot in 2023, as the Wolverines had a towering rushing attack to lead the offense. Still, he was able to pass for 2,991 passing yards and 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions while completing 72.3 percent of his throws.
Who Will End Up Picking JJ McCarthy?
It would be interesting to see not only whether McCarthy would be selected before Daniels but also which team would take a chance on him.
Assuming that the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders keep their picks at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, they are likely to each select a quarterback, and odds say that those players are going to be Williams and Maye – in that order.
The New England Patriots are picking third, and they need a QB, though, there are rumors they can add one via free agency or a trade.