Daniel Jeremiah explains why J.J. McCarthy is rising up NFL Draft boards

The buzz for former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy is palpable following his Pro Day in Ann Arbor. Discussing the 2024 NFL Draft’s top quarterback prospects on Joel Klatt’s show this week, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah explained why McCarthy is rising up draft boards as the calendar turns to April.

“People can’t wrap their mind around the fact that J.J. McCarthy could be going forth or even in the top 10, and I’m telling them, trust me, I talk to these teams all the time, I know what these coaches and general managers think of this guy,” Jeremiah said.

“The more you watch him, he’s an acquired taste, but you appreciate some of the things he does, especially when you get into 3rd and 7+ when you watch that cut-up. There’s the need there and there’s demand, and we have a legitimate supply that you can sell, so I think it’s going to happen.”

In 2022, McCarthy completed 64.6 percent of his 322 attempts for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He bumped up his completion percentage to 74.2 in 2023 on 287 pass attempts for 2,630 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. The criticism for McCarthy lies in the way Michigan’s offense operated, which makes him one of the more difficult prospects to project.

“Our job isn’t just to evaluate performance,” Jeremiah said. “Our job is projection. If it wasn’t, we could print out the stat sheet and grab the guy with the most touchdown passes and whoever had the most sacks. With McCarthy, you look at him and say, ‘He’s got a live arm, he’s incredibly smart, he’s tough, he’s athletic, he can move around.’ … A lot of the things he has in his toolbox translate well to the NFL.”

Jim Harbaugh calls McCarthy’s Pro Day ‘best ever’

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was in Ann Arbor last week to check out the Wolverines’ Pro Day as the new head coach of the L.A. Chargers. Since the Pro Day, Harbaugh told reporters he’s heard “numerous” unsolicited compliments for his former quarterback. The former Wolverines skipper went so far as to say that McCarthy had the best pro day he’s ever seen.

“The workout J.J. had, I mean I’ve been to a lot of pro days and watched quarterbacks throw, that was the best I’ve ever seen a quarterback throw it in a pro day,” Harbaugh said, via Tracy Sandler. “Not only were his feet great in the individual drills, then he started throwing and every throw was right there. The receivers did a great job too. They all had a great day.

“Here, coaches and GMs will come up to me and say, ‘Great job.’ It’s like I predicted once they were around him. I’ve been hearing stories about where he is on the board. The little things, the intangibles, it was absolutely no surprise whatsoever. There was raving and it was great to hear. I know it was sincere. It’s unsolicited. But it’s numerous, numerous GMs, numerous head coaches.”

Before his Pro Day, McCarthy met with the Commanders and Giants, two teams with picks in the top 10 of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While New York picks at No. 6 overall, Washington has the No. 2 overall pick. They’re heavily favored to take a quarterback with that selection and are exploring all the top options. McCarthy could also be an option for the New England Patriots who have the No. 3 selection.