NFL Network analyst calls J.J. McCarthy 'acquired taste' in evaluation process – 'There's a lot to like'
The Michigan Wolverines‘ output in the 2024 NFL Draft revolves around quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has a chance to be selected early in the event. While he might not reach the lofty No. 2 overall spot that former teammate Aidan Hutchinson landed during the 2022 event, there is legitimate buzz linking him to a potential top-10 selection.
As more evaluators dive into the film of the Michigan quarterback, it is becoming clearer that he has first round talent and intangibles. During a conference call on Thursday, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah compared McCarthy to Alex Smith, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington.
“He’s an acquired taste,” Jeremiah said during the call of McCarthy’s evaluation. “You’re like, they don’t ask him to do much, but when you really dig into the tape when they have to throw the ball, there’s a lot to like. Really quick mind, quick release, and everything he does is really smooth. He never gets bored with completions.”
McCarthy, who was 27-1 as a starter at Michigan, threw for 2,991 yards with 22 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season for the Maize and Blue, completing 240-of-332 (72.3%) of his passes.
On the call, Jeremiah described McCarthy as a player who fits exactly what the Minnesota Vikings, who hold the No. 11 overall pick, might be looking for. However, this week he mocked him to the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 8 overall selection. Three quarterbacks were taken ahead of him in USC’s Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), UNC’s Drake Maye (Washington Commanders) and LSU’s Jayden Daniels (New York Giants).
“A lot of people around the NFL expect the Falcons to be aggressive when it comes to finding a quarterback in this year’s draft,” Jeremiah wrote. “They could trade up or, as they do in this case, stay at No. 8 and bet on McCarthy’s traits.”
McCarthy and the Michigan stars – a record 18 players – have a chance to improve their standing and solidify their pro outlooks next week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Justin Melo of The Draft Network said that McCarthy is one of the quarterbacks there who could turn the most heads.
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“No quarterback is climbing draft boards like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy right now,” Melo wrote. “Fresh off a National Championship victory, McCarthy is beginning to threaten for top-10 status and may even leap over Jayden Daniels and/or Drake Maye on certain draft boards.
“It’s difficult to envision McCarthy doing anything that hinders his draft stock in Indianapolis. McCarthy’s combination of arm talent and athletic ability should lead to eye-opening results. Expect McCarthy to continue his ascension.”
McCarthy has a chance to be the highest Michigan quarterback drafted since head coach Jim Harbaugh in 1987, who went 26th overall to the Chicago Bears. Since then, U-M’s highest drafted passer is Chad Henne, who came off the board at No. 57 overall in the second round to the Miami Dolphins in 2008. The Wolverines have had only a single passer taken since then with Jake Rudock going in the sixth round to the Detroit Lions in 2016.
The 2024 NFL Combine is set for Feb. 26 through March 4 from Indianapolis with McCarthy working out on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium – a place he is plenty familiar with having won three Big Ten Championships – on March 2. Michigan football’s Pro Day is set for March 22 ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, which goes from April 25-27 from Downtown Detroit.
