Where Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy lands in two new mock drafts

Quarterback moves in NFL free agency and the trade market have set the stage for April’s NFL Draft, affecting potential landing spots for Michigan Wolverines football standout J.J. McCarthy. Kirk Cousins has gone from the Minnesota Vikings to signing with the Atlanta Falcons, while Russell Wilson (free agency) and Justin Fields (trade) have moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, respectively.

As a result, Atlanta, which has the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, is unlikely to draft another quarterback that high, having just invested $180 million over four years in Cousins. However, Minnesota now has an even stronger desire for a starting quarterback, and that’s now the most commonly projected spot for McCarthy to end up. The Vikings pick at No. 11 but could move up to ensure they get a top quarterback like the former Michigan signal-caller.

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In updated mock drafts released Tuesday (March 19), NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. agree that McCarthy will be a Viking, but they have him being taken by the franchise at different spots. Jeremiah projected that the Vikings will trade up to No. 4 (a pick currently owned by the Arizona Cardinals), while Kiper has them taking the Michigan signal-caller at their own selection at No. 11.

Jeremiah and Kiper have USC quarterback Caleb Williams being taken No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears. Jeremiah, though, has North Carolina’s Drake Maye going No. 2 and LSU’s Jayden Daniels No. 3 — while Kiper has those two quarterbacks flip-flopped in order.

“Now the fun really begins,” Jeremiah wrote of McCarthy being chosen No. 4. “After their recent trade with the Texans, it seems the Vikings are situated to aggressively move up to draft Kirk Cousins’ replacement. The Cardinals trade down, bypassing a chance to pick the first receiver off the board, but they address the position later in Round 1.”

“The Vikings are now the most interesting team in this draft,” Kiper said of his projection. “They just acquired another first-round pick in a deal with the Texans (No. 23), giving them the capital to move up and take a quarterback if they got the opportunity. But how far could they move up? Remember, it takes two sides to make a trade. Would the Giants want to risk missing out on one of the top receivers? Would the Titans want to risk missing out on their preferred tackle? Would the Falcons or Bears want to risk not getting the edge rusher they like? There’s not an easy match, unless Minnesota is willing to give up a lot of future picks, which is certainly possible.

“In this scenario, the Vikings could land their quarterback of the future anyway. With Kirk Cousins gone and Sam Darnold added on a one-year deal, it’s clear they have to add competition. All sides point to that competition coming from a rookie.

“McCarthy is the No. 21 prospect on my Big Board, but I can see why some teams would covet him much higher. He has intriguing physical traits and can make every throw. Either way, if Minnesota really wants to try to move up in Round 1 for a quarterback, I could see it waiting until draft day to see how the board shakes out.”

Regardless of exactly what pick is used on McCarthy, he’s now a consensus first-round selection, with the chance to become Michigan’s first quarterback to be chosen in the opening round since Jim Harbaugh in 1987.

All signs point to the Vikings being highly interested, too. They’re reportedly sending multiple staff members to Michigan’s pro day March 22 and have set up a private workout with McCarthy.

McCarthy led Michigan to a 15-0 season in 2023, which culminated in the program’s 12th-ever national championship. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns with 4 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-2 1/2″, 219-pounder went 27-1 as Michigan’s starting quarterback over two seasons. All told in his career, he amassed 6,226 passing yards and 49 touchdowns. He also rushed for 632 yards and 10 scores.

No other Michigan players were listed in the first rounds of either mock draft, though one was mentioned. Jeremiah wrote that defensive tackle Kris Jenkins would be a possibility for the Buffalo Bills at No. 28, but he projected Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton there instead.