Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is one of the 2024 NFL Draft‘s most intriguing prospects who has had a quick rise up draft boards in the last few weeks.
After an impressive showing at Michigan’s Pro Day, McCarthy is shooting up draft boards, to the point that going in the top five is less of a question and more of a certainty, according to one reporter.
NFL Reporter Says J.J. McCarthy Will Be a Top-5 NFL Draft Pick
On ESPN’s “Get Up,” Kimberley A. Martin explained why she believes that McCarthy is a lock to be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
.@ByKimberleyA believes J.J. McCarthy is a lock as a top five pick in the NFL draft.
"It's not a question of, 'Will he be a top five pick?' He will be. And it's a question of which spot in the top five he goes." pic.twitter.com/Hbq4W7QKtl
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 3, 2024
“Talking to sources up until last night, I’ve heard the Patriots, Minnesota, and the Giants are all interested in him,” Martin said.
The New England Patriots have the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, while the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are each picking outside of the top five as of now. The Giants are at No. 6 overall, and despite having Daniel Jones under contract, could be in the market for a franchise QB.
The Vikings, meanwhile, according to Martin, are trying to move up and are targeting McCarthy.
Because of New England’s reported interest in McCarthy, Martin thinks teams like the Vikings and Giants will aggressively look to trade up if Michigan’s national championship QB is their guy.
McCarthy’s Scouting Report
While Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels were initially expected to be the first three quarterbacks drafted, there’s no denying that McCarthy’s stock has continued to rise after a successful pro day.
According to Ian Cummings’ scouting report on McCarthy, his pros include whip-like velocity to fit throws past extremely tight coverages, and he has a crisp right-angle release. While he was a little bit underweight at Michigan, McCarthy’s cons include inexplicably drifting into pressure and getting fooled by linebackers.
At just 21 years old, McCarthy has the tools and upside needed to be a franchise quarterback in the right situation. He’s the No. 31 ranked overall prospect on Cummings’ big board. Cummings also has McCarthy as the fourth-ranked QB behind Maye, Williams, and Daniels.
Where Is McCarthy Going in Mock Drafts?
The latest seven-round mock draft from Owain Jones matches almost exactly what Martin envisioned on ESPN.
In this mock, Minnesota trades picks 11 and 23, along with a 2025 fifth-rounder to move all the way up to No. 4 in a move with the Arizona Cardinals.
KEEP READING: J.J. McCarthy 2024 NFL Draft Landing Spots
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been hiding in the weeds with two first-round draft picks and no franchise quarterback. Minnesota has the assets to trade up, and they could do so to land their QB of the future.