How high will the former Michigan Wolverines quarterback go in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft is fast approaching and Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy is this year’s mock draft Rocketeer. While he hasn’t challenged Caleb Williams for the top spot, he has gone from a mid-to-late first rounder to what seems like a consensus top-5 pick. After leading the Wolverines to a National Championship and putting on some weight ahead of the NFL Combine, McCarthy is suddenly on the tip of every draftnik’s tongue.
There was the obvious high praise from his old coach Jim Harbaugh, who also left for the NFL after winning a championship in Michigan. Over the previous two seasons, McCarthy and Harbaugh went 27-1 together, and the new Los Angeles Chargers coach was highly critical of his old signal caller.
Harbaugh remarked, “I think he plays quarterback the best of any quarterback in the draft,” ostensibly highlighting McCarthy’s offensive mastery. “He is amazing. Thus, large and small markets. It won’t matter whether it’s hot or cold outside.”
The excitement isn’t limited to Harbaugh. The former general manager of the New York Jets, Mike Tannenbaum, has McCarthy going No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals in his most recent mock draft for ESPN, implying that they might (and should) move on from Kyler Murray and his large deal.
I don’t think I’ll pass up this opportunity because I believe he’s now a better, younger, and more durable quarterback than Murray.
Tannenbaum continued to promote McCarthy on Get Up, saying that he’s currently a better quarterback than Daniel Jones. The Giants now hold the sixth pick, but most mock drafts currently appear to indicate that McCarthy won’t stick around for very long.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com projects that the Minnesota Vikings will trade up from No. 11 to No. 4 in order to select McCarthy, costing them two first-round selections and a fourth-round pick. The Denver Broncos are reportedly dealing for the Michigan quarterback from the Cardinals, according to Chris Trapasso of CBS.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks predicts McCarthy will finish third. Furthermore, he is not by himself.McCarthy is also listed as being selected by the New England Patriots and Jerod Mayo in The Athletic. According to writer Ben Standig, the audience was just unaware that the quarterback had always been this talented.
Aside from a few injury, play-time, or restricted exposure situations, there is no such thing as draft risers and fallers. The media and public assessors are beginning to catch up to the league’s scouting departments, which is the sensation. McCarthy is a prime example this year; after leading Michigan to a national championship and a 27-1 record over the previous two seasons, McCarthy was considered a mid-to-late first-round selection.
While acknowledging the 21-year-old isn’t ready for Week 1 action, multiple league sources prefer his intangibles over other quarterbacks in this class. Soon we’ll see if the Patriots take the needed passer or help the complete list. One NFL scout stated, “Everyone thinks New England will take a quarterback, but they’ve got a bad roster.” They need to improve the offensive line’s talent. A team trades into the top five, in my opinion. This season, there seems to be a greater sense of urgency for these clubs in need of quarterbacks.”
McCarthy is almost at the top of the draft board at this moment. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported yesterday that he had heard from league executives that the Washington Commanders would select McCarthy with the second choice. The only thing left to do is for the Chicago Bears to fall victim to the excitement and select him first overall.
