NFL Draft Rumors: Washington Commanders Interested in QB J.J. McCarthy?

Rumors are running rampant, the latest of which is connecting the Washington Commanders to Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Williams going with the first overall pick to the Chicago Bears is seemingly a formality.

The same can't be said about who the Washington Commanders will take with the No. 2 pick. Each of the trio between Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy have been connected to the Commanders, and ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller noted that the Michigan quarterback has been picking up steam to potentially be the second quarterback off the board.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

"If this was one or two people saying it, I'd probably dismiss it as the usual April draft buzz that doesn't come to fruition," Miller writes. "But enough sources around the NFL are whispering that McCarthy could very well be the second quarterback off the board that it has to be considered possible at this point...Ruling out McCarthy in Washington would be foolish based on leaguewide intel surrounding the quarterbacks."

Miller isn't the only insider to believe McCarthy has a chance to be drafted by the Commanders. NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero said at the NFL Owners Meetings in March that many executives believe he'll ultimately be the pick for Commanders General Manager Adam Peters.

The draft process has been more than fruitful for McCarthy, as he has gone from being a fringe first-round pick to nearly a lock to go inside the top 10. Washington pivoting at quarterback wouldn't be the first time it has happened for an organization Peters was a part of.

When Peters was the assistant general manager with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, it was widely speculated that they traded up to No. 3 overall to draft quarterback Mac Jones. The 49ers then shocked the world when they drafted Trey Lance instead.

With it being Peters' first draft at the helm, it's tough to know what to and what not to believe in the rumor mill. Interest in McCarthy could be a smokescreen, though, the need for one isn't exactly necessary given that the Commanders are picking second, and no one is going to jump them for the quarterback they like. Insiders could also be guessing if they don't have a great feel for which direction Washington will go at quarterback.

Regardless of who Peters eventually lands on as the Commanders' quarterback of the future, it's a pick he has to get right because it's no guarantee they'll be picking second overall again in a loaded class at the game's most important position and he may not get another shot to fix the mistake if he drafts the wrong guy.