ESPN: Pundit tabbed former JJ McCarthy as a top-20 prospect

Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN NFL selection Analyst, issued his newest Big Board ahead of the April selection, and former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy was named a top-20 prospect.

Kiper’s Big Board does not guarantee McCarthy will be taken with the 20th choice in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rather, the Big Board is a ranking system that shows which prospects have the most pro-ready qualities.

With that information, Kiper sees the 6-2, 219-pound former Wolverine as a rising prospect, having previously ranked McCarthy at No. 23 on a past Big Board. Here’s what Kiper had to say about the strong-armed former Michigan quarterback:

‘McCarthy has first-round arm capability and can also beat defenders with his legs. In 2023, he placed third in the country for Total QBR (89.2) and completion percentage (72.3%). Since taking over as the Wolverines’ starting in 2022, he has thrown 44 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.

‘Five of those interceptions, however, have come in two games: he threw three against Bowling Green earlier in 2023, and he had two pick-sixes in the College Football semifinal defeat to TCU in 2022. Aside from those two games, he has successfully handled games and made sound football decisions.

‘In my first mock draft, I projected McCarthy in the middle of Round 1. Sure, he averaged only 22.1 pass attempts per game in 2023 and only had to complete 10 passes in the national championship game, but his potential is enormous.’

Further down the Big Board, Kiper named the top ten prospects at each position, including numerous former Michigan players. Kiper gave running back Blake Corum (4th), tight end AJ Barner (10th), guard Zac Zinter (2nd), center Drake Nugent (8th), defensive end Braiden McGregor (10th), defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (4th), off-ball linebacker Junior Colton (2nd), and cornerback Mike Sainristil (10t) positive grades ahead of the April draft.