Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the months leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Once viewed as a fringe top-25 talent, the reigning college football national champion is now a projected top-five pick. However, not everyone is sold on the hype around him.
McCarthy struggled a bit with inconsistency during throwing drills at the NFL Combine, failing to take advantage of a big opportunity with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels not participating. However, private interviews and his performance this past week at Michigan’s Pro Day have cemented McCarthy as a likely top pick.
- J.J. McCarthy stats (2023):: 167.4 QB rating, 2,991 passing yards, 22-4 TD-INT, 9.0 ypa
While he isn’t viewed as one of the most physically-gifted passers in the class, McCarthy’s combination of arm talent, smarts, leadership and above-average athleticism have made him a favorite among coaches. He offers several qualities that make him an ideal fit in specific offenses, which is why he’s been heavily connected to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings’ system orchestrated by head coach Kevin O’Connell borrows concepts from Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. In Minnesota’s scheme, quick-thinking quarterbacks who stick to the structure of the play, make reads quickly and allow their skill players to make explosive plays are prioritized. It’s why Kirk Cousins thrived in Minnesota and explains why McCarthy has drawn NFL comparisons to the Pro Bowl quarterback.
- J.J. McCarthy career stats: 160.5 QB rating, 6,226 passing yards, 67.6 percent completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt 49-11 TD-INT in 40 games
However, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler shared during Saturday’s SportsCenter, that not everyone around the league is sold on McCarthy being compared so frequently to the four-time Pro Bowl selection and they question if his ceiling is that high.
“So, teams aren’t completely sold on McCarthy depending on the team, but I’ve talked to enough scouts who say he’s got high-level ability even though he was asked to be a game manager at Michigan, he has all of the traits to succeed. I’ve heard him compared to from a few scouts as like a stronger, bigger Kirk Cousins. So, if you’re Minnesota, do you want that on a cheaper rookie contract than what you had to pay Kirk Cousins in the past?”“
While some NFL teams might not love McCarthy’s fit in their system or the comparison to Cousins, the interest he is receiving from teams like the Vikings, New York Giants and Denver Broncos highlights the skills he brings to the table. Highly-regarded offensive minds want a quarterback with a high football IQ who excels in the play action and stays within the system.
That’s in large part what made Cousins a fantastic fit in O’Connell’s scheme and why the Vikings are widely expected to try and trade up for him. It might not be the perfect NFL comparison, but it does highlight McCarthy’s strengths and those can be elevated in a Shanahan or McVay-style offense.
