Mike Tannenbaum claims JJ McCarthy would've put up Jayden Daniels numbers, stock at LSU

JJ McCarthy could’ve put up Jayden Daniels numbers last season, according to former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum.

If the two quarterbacks switched schools, McCarthy’s stats would’ve been gaudy and his draft stock would’ve been so much higher. Tannenbaum has McCarthy moving up into the top 10 anyway, possibly top five.

But having a different system could’ve made the conversation very different for the former Michigan quarterback.

“Yeah, someone’s going to try to move up with the Chargers at five to get in front of the Giants at six,” Tannenbaum said on Get Up. “We can talk about wins being a quarterback statistic, but I fell in love with JJ McCarthy in 2022 when he’s down two points against Illinois at home, and it was a freezing cold day … He went down and got the game winning field goal with his feet with passing, drawing pass interference. He is a winner, he can make all the throws and what’s really interesting to me Greeny is if he had played for LSU. What would his stats look like? 

“They’d look a lot closer to Jayden Daniels. If Jayden Daniels was at Michigan, his stats would look a lot closer to JJ McCarthy. And that’s where this debate is so much fun and so interesting, but he can do everything, like that workout shows he can make every throw with great anticipation and really good arm strength.”

The current odds for McCarthy list the Giants at +1,600 to draft McCarthy, Tannenbaum’s previous prediction for McCarthy at No. 6. The favorites are the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos at +450, who have the 11th and 12th picks, respectively.

The Giants have an interesting QB situation with Daniel Jones should they draft McCarthy. Jones’ contract extension is through the 2026 season and worth, in total, $160 million. However, the Giants have a potential out after the 2024 season.

Last season, McCarthy threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions, a 72.3% completion percentage, 202 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Now for Daniels, he had 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, a 72.2% completion percentage, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. 

As a member of the Class of 2021, McCarthy was a four-star recruit out of La Grange Park (Ill.) IMG Academy (Fla.), according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 12 overall prospect in Florida, the No. 9 quarterback in the class and the No. 47 overall prospect in the class.