Making The Case For JJ McCarthy As A Top 5 Pick

With the NFL Draft around the corner, former U-M QB JJ McCarthy could wind up in the top five.

Over the last several weeks, no prospect has benefited from the pre-draft process as much as JJ McCarthy. The former Michigan quarterback turned heads with a stockier 219-pound frame at the NFL Combine, and McCarthy also dazzled scouts and GMs with the throwing portion of the workout, painting the left sideline and delivering a lot of footballs on time.

For those who watched McCarthy operate Michigan’s offense during its National Championship season in 2023, these qualities should not be a surprise. Instead, the rest of the football world is becoming familiar with who McCarthy is— a winner, a leader and a talented passer.

Now, the month before the draft is colorfully described as “smokescreen season” thanks to all the subterfuge being passed around NFL circles. Still, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce went on record recently describing McCarthy’s meteoric rise, and he’s noticing a buzz around the former U-M signal caller. 

“It’s a very talented group,” Pierce began. “We interviewed most of those guys at the combine, had great conversations with them. JJ McCarthy, you’re talking about a National Champion, a winner. So, I don’t know how he’s not in the top three if you want to be honest.”

Top three is high praise coming directly from the Raiders organization, and its emblematic of the overall fanfare McCarthy has received lately. Just days earlier, both Adam Schefter and Andrew Schultz went on the Pat McAfee show to discuss the draft, and the pair of insiders shared summarily positive reports on McCarthy’s draft stock. According to their insight, McCarthy could easily land in the top 10 with an outside chance of sneaking into the top five. Now, Pierce was a bit more bullish in his prediction, but all three are plugged in and offered strong praise for McCarthy.

READ MORE: Mel Kiper Jr.: JJ McCarthy Draft Stock Rising

At 21 years old, McCarthy checks in as the third winningest QB in college football history. His career completion percentage is north of 65. Now, McCarthy did benefit from a dominant offensive line in front and an overqualified pair of running backs behind him to ease pressure, but that does not absolve the need for elite quarterback play. In that regard, McCarthy made few mistakes (22 touchdowns to four interceptions in 2023) and has top-flight athleticism for a quarterback. 

Throughout McCarthy’s recruiting process, Wolverine Digest spoke to McCarthy at length on multiple occasions, and his combination of professionalism and accountability were clear even as a high schooler. Unlike other positions, quarterbacks need to have leadership qualities, and McCarthy is complete with those in spades.

To borrow a phrase from famed Liverpool Football Club manager Jurgen Klopp, McCarthy is like a 1,000 page book, and each page is different— that is how much McCarthy can bring to a team. 

Right now, multiple teams in the top 10 could opt to select a quarterback. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals own picks one through four respectively, though there’s been talk of the Denver Broncos or Minnesota Vikings trading into the top five to pick McCarthy. Sitting at pick five is McCarthy’s former coach, Jim Harbaugh, with the Los Angeles Chargers. 

With under one month remaining until the 2024 NFL Draft, Michigan has the opportunity to break the record for most players drafted from one school. Currently, Georgie holds that record as 15 Bulldogs were selected during the 2022 draft. 

Where do you see McCarthy going in the 2024 NFL Draft? Let us know and follow @EricJRutter on Twitter for more Wolverine Digest updates.