JJ McCarthy Projected As First-Round Pick In Latest Mock Draft
His numbers don't necessarily jump off the page when compared to guys like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but Michigan's JJ McCarthy certainly has all of the traits you look for in a NFL franchise quarterback.
The former five-star recruit won the starting job at Michigan in Week 2 of the 2022 season, and then proceeded to lead the Wolverines to a 13-1 overall record, a massive road win against No. 2 Ohio State, a second-consecutive Big Ten Championship, and another appearance in the College Football Playoff. It was one of Michigan's most successful seasons in program history, and McCarthy was a critical part in making it happen.
The sophomore signal caller would end up finishing the 2022 season with a completion percentage of nearly 65 percent, accounting for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air.
Whether it's his on-field talent, or the incredible leadership qualities he possesses at such a young age, it's no surprise that McCarthy is now being viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Most recently, ESPN college football analyst Todd McShay placed McCarthy in the first-round for his early 2024 mock draft - with the Michigan quarterback being selected No. 20 overall to the Minnesota Vikings.
“McCarthy is intriguing because of his 6-foot-3 frame, running ability, accuracy and arm talent,” McShay wrote. “In Minnesota, Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his deal and the team could move on. Despite winning 13 games last season, the Vikings were outside the top 20 in QBR (49.9).
“McCarthy could be the future for a team like Minnesota if he takes the next step in 2023.”
If McCarthy does end up hearing his name called in the first round in either 2024 or 2025, he would become just the second Michigan quarterback to be a first-round selection - joining former U-M quarterback and current U-M head coach, Jim Harbaugh.
Speaking earlier this year during a press conference, it's clear that Harbaugh thinks very highly of his current QB1.
“Tremendous physical ability and athletic ability and in every single way that you would want your quarterback," Harbaugh said. "The rare thing is that he would sacrifice anything for any player on this team. Personally, he’s just so willing to do whatever is best for the team. I would follow him anywhere happily. I suggest that all players on our team do the same thing. He’s just really, really good at it.
“As far as anything you tell him, I mean, any coaching point that you give, he just he absorbs it and will make the correction immediately. It’s tremendous.”
