In the realm of NFL draft prospects, certain names rise to the forefront, capturing the collective thoughts of scouts, analysts, and fans alike. For months, we’ve seen the spotlight on the names of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels—declared as the top QBs of the 2024 draft class. Yet, amidst the excitement surrounding these quarterbacks, a new contender has emerged at the top of the chain.
Enter J.J. McCarthy, the dynamic quarterback hailing from the University of Michigan. McCarthy's stock has profoundly increased in recent weeks, leaving a striking mark on NFL mock drafts across the landscape. His skilled presence at both the NFL Scouting Combine and his recent Pro Day in Ann Arbor has collected widespread acclaim, fueling much speculation regarding his ranking in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh remains steadfast in his support for McCarthy.
“He’s the best quarterback in the draft,” declared Harbaugh, the recently appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, during the NFL owners meetings on March 25. “He plays quarterback the best of all the quarterbacks.”
With projections consistently placing him within the top 10 picks and even shooting as high as No. 2 overall in some scenarios, McCarthy has undeniably become a crucial figure in the pre-draft conversation. With less than a month to go, it's prime time to explore McCarthy's capabilities and how he stacks up against other notable quarterbacks in the draft pool.
With Williams currently positioned as the frontrunner for No. 1 overall, there is a contested debate beginning to gather among subsequent top picks Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy. Despite McCarthy's inexperience with lower passing yardage (2,630 yards) in the 2023-2024 season compared to other prospects (Maye at 3,608 yards and Daniels at 3,812 yards), his remarkable 74.2% completion percentage demonstrates McCarthy's exceptional accuracy and decision-making on the field, evident at Michigan’s Pro Day.
McCarthy performed cleanly and consistently for Pro Day in Ann Arbor among a crowd of 150 NFL personnel in attendance, alongside other draft prospects from Michigan including RB Blake Corum, a projected second or third-round pick in this year’s draft. McCarthy showcased his talent through arm strength and touch passes, squashing any concerns about his abilities after the NFL Combine in early March.
Via NFL Network, McCarthy confirmed he has formally met with 11 teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks.
McCarthy's rise from an initially projected second or even third-round pick to now an easy top-10 prospect is undeniable. With impressive performances and keen interest from numerous NFL franchises, McCarthy has firmly established himself as a contender in the quarterback landscape. As the draft day arrives, all eyes will be on McCarthy to see where his journey takes him next.
