The Chances J.J. McCarthy Goes No. 1 In 2024 NFL Draft
It's July and the presumed No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft is USC's Caleb Williams and it's his to lose.
But obviously, so much can happen during the '23 football season to change those odds and ESPN's Jordan Reid ($) came out with 14 potential No. 1 picks -- and percentages -- they may actually go No. 1 in the 2024 draft.
Williams came in at No. 1 with a 25% chance to go first overall. But when you look down the list you will see 'long shots' and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is listed.
He is expected to throw the ball more this season after just six games with 25 or more passing attempts over 13 starts in 2022. He reads the field well, is an accurate passer and shows efficiency with play-action concepts to complement the Wolverines' run game.
Reid gives McCarthy a 2% chance as of now to go first in the '24 NFL draft.
The junior signal caller had a solid year during his first season as a starter with Michigan. He threw for 2,719 yards (64% completion), 22 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2022. He was also dynamic in the run game, and could have been used even more, after running for 306 yards and five scores on the ground.
McCarthy struggled with the deep ball early-to-middle of last season, but he was extremely accurate from 19 yards or less. In fact, McCarthy was the most-accurate thrower in all of football during the first six weeks of the season.
It all seemed to click for the former five-star recruit when the Wolverines went into The 'Shoe to face the Buckeyes.
"They said the kid couldn't throw the deep ball!"
Those were the famous words FOX announcer Gus Johnson said after McCarthy hit Cornelius Johnson for a 75-yard touchdown pass in stride. That came after McCarthy hit Johnson for a 69-yard touchdown the previous drive.
McCarthy continued to sling the ball around in the loss against TCU. He did have two pick-six interceptions which were both errant passes. But McCarthy regrouped and threw for 343 yards and a couple of scores in the game.
Entering his junior season, McCarthy has all the weapons needed for a historic Michigan season. Jim Harbaugh has said he wants to make the run-to-pass ratio 50/50 this season which would help bolster the junior's numbers.
He can return to the Wolverines in 2024, but if all goes to plan in 2023, Michigan and J.J. McCarthy will be battling for a national championship. If McCarthy enters the Heisman race then anything is possible when it comes to draft day.
