Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh Sends Message to NFL on QB J.J. McCarthy
Add the tantalizing name of Michigan star quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the ever-growing list of potential under-center solutions for the Denver Broncos. On Sunday, McCarthy announced that he will not return to the National Champion Wolverines, declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.
McCarthy turns 21 years old on January 20, but with a starting record of 27-1 spread over two seasons spent at Ann Arbor, he's proved time and again that winning big games is a specialty. Strangely enough, McCarthy came in at only 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting, but that might have been due to his role in Michigan's run-first offense.
Taking care of the ball was a particular forte of McCarthy's, who only threw just nine interceptions over the entirety of the last two seasons. Broncos head coach Sean Payton could be drawn to McCarthy's ability to take command of an offense and lead a team. After all, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended twice for a total of six games this past season, but McCarthy scarcely missed a beat.
Indeed, the young QB performed lights out under the most intense pressure down the stretch and into the college playoffs. McCarthy's ability to see the field and make a variety of throws from different angles is sure to make other pro coaches take notice in the pre-draft process.
Perhaps that's where things will become more problematic for the Broncos — McCarthy has a plethora of abilities, which could lead to a dramatic rise up draft boards around the NFL, but there are warts to his game. He still lacks the elements of touch and feel as a passer, so he will require some coaching to help him reach his potential at the next level.
Consequently, many teams may slap a second-round grade on McCarthy ahead of the draft. However, chances are, once NFL teams get a chance to interview this proven winner, it could dramatically tip the scales back in the QB's favor relative to his draft stock.
None of this held back Coach Harbaugh from rubber-stamping McCarthy's NFL readiness, though.
"I can't lie and say I don't think he's NFL-ready," Harbaugh said back in December. "I very much think he's NFL-ready."
Should other teams feel they don't have the time to further develop McCarthy, at least to begin with, it could play into the Broncos' hands, sitting at No. 12 overall in the draft. Depending on how the chips fall, Denver could even opt to trade down if it feels teams are less sure about McCarthy.
It could be said that McCarthy might benefit from some Jordan Love-type patience from the team that drafts him. That kind of ultra-cautious approach might start trending around the NFL as the Green Bay Packers signal-caller flourishes and continues to torch good defenses like the Dallas Cowboys.
It wouldn't be completely outside the realm of possibility that dethroned starter Russell Wilson could return as a bridge quarterback option for the Broncos next season. A somewhat raw draft pick like McCarthy could perhaps benefit from studying under the nine-time Pro Bowler for a spell. Nothing can be ruled out in the Broncos' quest to solve the quarterback problem.
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