How can Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s rising stock benefit the Jets

Top prospects LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye meeting with Bears, Commanders, and Patriots.

The top quarterbacks in the NFL Draft took center stage at the NFL Combine last week, where they completed media availability before participating in workouts on Saturday.

The Jets have Aaron Rodgers as their primary quarterback, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that the Green and White were slated to speak with USC’s Caleb Williams and LSU QB Jayden Daniels at the Combine. The Jets will conduct due diligence on all passers, but an early focus on quarterbacks might provide them with multiple alternatives at the No. 10 pick.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s rising stock
On January 19, NFL Network Media Analyst Daniel Jermiah predicted that Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will not be taken in the first round. McCarthy was predicted to the Atlanta Falcons as the eighth pick in his most recent mock draft, which was released on February 20.

What has changed?

McCarthy did not have the gaudy numbers of his teammates in his final two seasons at Michigan, throwing 44 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 29 games, but he led the Wolverines to a 28-1 record, including a victory over Washington in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.

McCarthy has been one of the more impressive risers early in the selection process, according to the most recent estimates from league analysts. McCarthy revealed at the Combine on Friday that he met with the Raiders (No. 13), Broncos (No. 12), Patriots (No. 3), Vikings (No. 11), Buccaneers (No. 26), Giants (No. 6), Bears (No. 1, 9) and Seahawks (No. 16).

“Stats weren’t the most important thing to me,” McCarthy remarked. “All I cared about was being the best possible teammate and quarterback. The only stat I cared about was wins, and we did rather well in that category.”

McCarthy’s promotion might pave the way for some of the class’s best tackles (Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga) and wide receivers (Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers) to fall to the Jets at No. 10.

Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye Attend Meetings With Teams Drafting in Top 3
At the Combine, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye were projected as two of the top prospects in the April selection.

Maye, a 21-year-old junior, has been anticipated as an early first-round pick since he ended his sophomore season with 38 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and was named the 2022 ACC Player of the Year. Maye did not produce as much this season, tossing 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

Maye told the media that he spoke with the Bears (Nos. 1, 9), Patriots (No. 3), Commanders (No. 2), Giants (No. 6), Falcons (No. 8), Broncos (No. 12), and Raiders (No. 13), and praised Washington’s new head coach, Dan Quinn.

“With Coach Quinn, it was fantastic,” Maye added. “Everything seemed to click right away. He’s a nice man and a fantastic coach. “What he’s done defensively with the [Dallas] Cowboys over the last three years has been quite impressive.”

Daniels began his career at Arizona State before transferring to LSU after 29 starts over three seasons. After a quiet first year, Daniels exploded in Year 2 with 40 touchdown passes, four interceptions, and 1,134 rushing yards en route to the Heisman Trophy.

“From ASU to LSU, my overall growth has been my biggest improvement, not just as a player but as a person,” Daniel told ESPN. “From ’18 to finishing my last game in ’22, it has been a long journey and my growth as a person has been my biggest change.”

Daniels told reporters that he has previously visited with the Bears (Nos. 1 and 9), Commanders (No. 2), Patriots (No. 3), and Raiders (No. 13).