NFL personnel discuss J.J. McCarthy draft hype

It seems that more and more noteworthy people are buying the hype regarding Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

For an article published on Tuesday, one unnamed NFC executive told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN he can't see McCarthy "getting past" overall pick No. 5 or No. 6 in the upcoming draft. 

"Definitely not getting out of the top 10," that executive said about McCarthy. "Anticipation, decision-making, preparation, coming from pro-style offense -- he's got a lot going for him. You see him process, go through progressions. That's an easier predictor of what it would look like at the NFL level."

It was widely thought ahead of the scouting combine that McCarthy wasn't in the same prospect tier as USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels of the LSU or North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye. Some now believe the Washington Commanders could spend the draft's second pick on McCarthy assuming the Chicago Bears take Williams first overall. 

One "high-ranking NFL official" told Fowler that McCarthy has "something to him from a leadership and makeup standpoint that resonates." A "veteran NFL personnel evaluator" mentioned that McCarthy produced "one of the best pro days I've seen as a passer." 

Former general manager Randy Mueller of The Athletic recently ranked McCarthy second among quarterback prospects behind only Williams. However, NFL Network's Brian Baldinger and New York Giants legend Tiki Barber have suggested no team should spend a top-10 draft pick on a quarterback who is an unproven product as it pertains to finding success at the highest level.

"I just don't see it," one AFC scout told Fowler about McCarthy. "I don't see consistent accuracy, his ability to get it done inside the white lines, and [the Michigan staff] didn't call games or play offensively like they trusted him." 

On Monday, Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates of ESPN predicted the Minnesota Vikings will move up from pick No. 11 to No. 5 for the right to select McCarthy. Fowler called Minnesota a "good fit" for the Michigan product because the Vikings could let McCarthy sit and learn as a backup behind veteran Sam Darnold through at least a portion of the 2024 season. 

As of early Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Vikings as the betting favorites at +120 odds to draft McCarthy. A New England Patriots team that holds the draft's third pick was second on the list at +200 odds.