Michigan QB Star Player Rising Stock Impresses NFL Scouts After Pro Day Due To….
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy garnered attention from NFL scouts following his pro-day performance on Monday. According to an AFC college scouting director quoted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, McCarthy was hailed as a “super athlete” with impressive throwing efficiency.
Although he didn’t immediately stand out among top quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, or Drake Maye, McCarthy’s stock has been on the rise in recent months.
One AFC coach, comparing McCarthy’s pro day to Williams’, noted McCarthy’s unexpected arm strength, particularly impressed by a throw made under pressure. Despite occasional inaccuracies, McCarthy showcased tight spirals and strong ball rotation, earning recognition for his throwing abilities.
During his final year at Michigan, McCarthy amassed notable statistics, including 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and a mere four interceptions, culminating in a national title for the Wolverines. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department ranks him as the fourth quarterback in the draft class and the 54th overall prospect, trailing Maye, Williams, and Daniels.
In Bleacher Report’s mock draft, McCarthy is forecasted to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the fifth overall pick, although the Vikings currently hold the eleventh pick. Speculation suggests that Minnesota may seek to trade up for a quarterback, given projections that Williams, Daniels, and Maye will likely be selected within the first three picks.
McCarthy’s potential landing with the Vikings hinges on their ability to maneuver in the draft to secure a quarterback. With other top prospects expected to be off the board early, McCarthy could emerge as a viable option for Minnesota should they pursue a trade-up strategy to secure their preferred choice at quarterback.
Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy being rumored as the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback target in the 2024 NFL Draft is nothing new. Since their season ended, even prior to Kirk Cousins’ departure, McCarthy has been the one QB continually linked to the Vikings.
Earlier in the process, he was there for them at No. 11. Once JJ started surging up draft boards, the Vikings swung a trade with the Texans that landed them an additional first round pick (No. 23). Now, they have more ammo than any other team outside the top-10, to trade up and take the former Wolverine, if that is indeed who they want.
But since the start of April, Vikings + JJ McCarthy smoke has turned to flame. Matt Miller (ESPN) wrote a couple of weeks ago that this was going to happen and, turns out, he was 100% correct. Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman made headlines late last week when he appeared confident that Minnesota was preparing to overpay the Arizona Cardinals, in order to move up to No. 4 and draft JJ McCarthy.
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Michigan teammate thinks J.J. McCarthy would ‘love’ this team
Offensive lineman Zak Zinter protected quarterback J.J. McCarthy when both featured for the Michigan Wolverines.
Zinter recently spoke with Greg Dudek of NESN about why McCarthy may be a great fit for a New England Patriots team that currently holds the third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“He definitely would love the culture up there, for sure,” Zinter said about what McCarthy would think about joining the Patriots.
McCarthy’s unexpected draft-stock rise has made for daily sports-talk television conversations, as some now have him rated second among quarterback prospects for the upcoming player-selection process behind only USC’s Caleb Williams. It was previously thought to be a lock that the Washington Commanders would make LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels the draft’s second pick, but it was reported as recently as Tuesday that McCarthy “may be QB1 for both” Washington and New England.
As for the supposed culture of the Patriots, it’s worth noting that the franchise is in the early stages of a new era following the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick. New head coach Jerod Mayo and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will soon be tasked with getting the best out of a rookie quarterback assuming New England leaves the draft with a first-year signal-caller.
“J.J. is an unreal dude,” Zinter said about McCarthy. “Great leader, great competitor, great friend, brother. He’s someone that would do anything for you, and you’d do anything for him. Just knowing him, playing with him for the last three years has been pretty special.”
Those who coached against and reported on McCarthy during his college days have attempted to explain why some teams may now rank him ahead of Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye. Zinter insisted the game film shows McCarthy was a true “playmaker” at Michigan.
“You watch his film and tape and even if we let some pressure get on to him, he’s scrambling out and throwing touchdowns, first downs,” Zinter added. “He’s just an incredible, dynamic player.”
In a mock draft updated on Wednesday, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN predicted that New England will take Maye at pick No. 3 before the Minnesota Vikings trade up to the fifth choice to grab McCarthy. It sounds like some in-the-know individuals remain unconvinced the Patriots will pass on McCarthy if Washington goes with Daniels as Kiper forecasted in his latest mock.