There’s a lot of buzz swirling around the 2024 NFL Draft — and particularly, J.J. McCarthy‘s rising stock. The former Michigan quarterback appears to be rising up draft boards. So much so, that, according to one NFL Draft analyst, he could go ahead of one of the other top three quarterbacks.
Several Teams Prefer J.J. McCarthy Over Drake Maye
ESPN’s Matt Miller has heard from a bevy of teams that believe McCarthy would be a better fit for their respective squads than Drake Maye.
“One of the most interesting nuggets I’ve picked up over the past two weeks is that multiple NFL teams have McCarthy ranked ahead of North Carolina’s Drake Maye,” Miller said.
“A high-ranking evaluator I spoke to this week said McCarthy’s winning resume, upside as a mobile QB, and impeccable poise under pressure all graded out higher for them than Maye. When under pressure last season, McCarthy’s completed an FBS-best 68% of his passes and averaged 10 yards per attempt (second-best).”
ESPN’s Field Yates weighed in on McCarthy’s fast-rising draft stock as well as why NFL teams are so high on the former Michigan quarterback.
“Weighing in at 220 pounds — up from his listed weight of 202 and in line with his 219 combine number — McCarthy threw the ball with force and accuracy,” said Yates. “Many NFL teams feel there are four top quarterbacks (rather than three), and I would not rule anything out with McCarthy — obviously other than him going first overall to the Bears.”
Which Quarterback Should Be Picked First?
Count PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings as one analyst who is sticking with Maye over McCarthy.
Not only does Cummings have Maye ranked ahead on his big board, but he has the former North Carolina quarterback as his second-ranked player in the entire NFL Draft, behind only Marvin Harrison Jr. Yes, even ahead of Caleb Williams.
“Maye glides as a mover and has effortless off-platform ability and arm elasticity in off-script situations,” Cummings wrote. “And inside the pocket, he’s just as deadly with his rocket arm, pocket navigation skills, processing ability, and active anticipation and DB manipulation as a field general.”
While Maye is Cummings’ QB1, he’s far less bullish on McCarthy than many other analysts, particularly the ones that have him as a top-three quarterback. On Cummings’ board, McCarthy is his fourth-highest-ranked quarterback and 31st overall player.
In Cummings’ most recent seven-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft, he has the Minnesota Vikings trading up to No. 3 with the New England Patriots for Maye.
“If you’re a Vikings fan and you’re asking me, I think Maye is easily worth the price,” Cummings wrote. “He’s one of the highest-graded QBs I’ve ever evaluated — pairing prototypical size and athleticism with elite arm strength, elasticity, and high-level anticipation and leverage IQ. He’d thrive in Minnesota’s system with the weapons they have.”
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In this same mock draft, McCarthy isn’t too far behind, as Cummings projects the Denver Broncos trading up to No. 7 to take him.
“Three QBs are off the board, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looming at 13th overall. Sean Payton takes no chances, trading up for a young QB in J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has the requisite talent, and he’s shown he can work the middle of the field with anticipation.”
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