J.J. McCarthy is causing serious NFL draft interest

How high will the former Michigan Wolverines quarterback be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft is almost coming, and Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy is this year’s mock draft Rocketeer. While he hasn’t challenged Caleb Williams for the top slot, he has progressed from a mid-to-late first selection to what appears to be a consensus top-5 pick. McCarthy is suddenly at the top of every draftnik’s list after leading the Wolverines to a national championship and gaining weight ahead of the NFL combine.

Jim Harbaugh, his former coach who also departed for the NFL after winning a championship at Michigan, lavished him with glowing praise. McCarthy and Harbaugh went 27-1 together over the last two seasons, and the new Los Angeles Chargers coach was appreciative of his former quarterback.

“I think he plays quarterback the best of any quarterback in the draft,” said Harbaugh, seemingly emphasizing McCarthy’s command of an offense. “He’s incredible. So, big market, small market. Cold weather, hot weather, it won’t matter.”

The hype isn’t limited to Harbaugh. In ESPN’s most recent mock draft, former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has McCarthy going fourth to the Arizona Cardinals, implying that they may (and should) move on from Kyler Murray and his lucrative deal.

I think he’s a better, younger and more durable quarterback than Murray right now, and I’m not passing up this chance.

Tannenbaum went on Get Up to further hype McCarthy, claiming that he is currently a better quarterback than Daniel Jones. The Giants hold the sixth pick, but most mock drafts suggest McCarthy won’t last that long.

According to Chad Reuter of NFL.com, the Minnesota Vikings will trade two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to move up from No. 11 to No. 4 to acquire McCarthy. Meanwhile, CBS’ Chris Trapasso reports that the Denver Broncos have traded for Michigan’s quarterback from the Cardinals.

McCarthy is projected to finish third, according to Bucky Brooks of NFL.com. And he isn’t alone. McCarthy is also expected to be drafted by Jerod Mayo and the New England Patriots, according to The Athletic. According to writer Ben Standig, the quarterback has always been as good, but the public didn’t realize it.

There’s no such thing as draft risers and fallers outside of a handful of injury, play-time or limited exposure scenarios. That sensation is public evaluators and media members catching up to the league’s scouting departments. This year’s prime example is McCarthy, who was deemed a mid-to-late first-round selection while leading Michigan to a national championship and a 27-1 record over the past two seasons.

While acknowledging the 21-year-old isn’t ready for Week 1 action, multiple league sources prefer his intangibles over other quarterbacks in this class. Soon we’ll see if the Patriots take the needed passer or help the overall roster. ‘Everyone thinks New England will take a quarterback, but they’ve got a bad roster,’ one NFL scout said. ‘They have to get better talent across the offense. I think a team trades into the top five. There seems to be a lot more urgency with these teams needing quarterbacks this year.'”

McCarthy is now nearly to the top of the draft board. In fact, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said Wednesday that officials across the league anticipate the Washington Commanders would select McCarthy with the second choice. All that remains is for the Chicago Bears to get caught up in the hoopla and draft him first overall.

Stephen Douglas is a writer for The Big Lead.