QB Expert Provides Sharp Analysis on Rumored Broncos Target J.J. McCarthy
In the never-ending game of draft metrics, the Denver Broncos are fully expected to be poking and prodding quarterback prospects from now until April 25.
Recent draft buzz has the name of Michigan star quarterback J.J. McCarthy resounding loudly in the ears of Denver's chief decision-makers.
Picking the brains of well-seasoned QB experts, such as FOX Sports' Joel Klatt, is fated to muddy the waters when it comes to evaluating McCarthy, with whom Broncos head coach Sean Payton is reportedly "enamored."
For every point toward McCarthy's winning pedigree with the Wolverines, others counter that there simply isn't enough evidence the 21-year-old is a refined enough passer to thrive at the NFL level.
While Klatt sees the presumed first-round prospect as being pro-ready, he believes that McCarthy requires the bones of a solid supporting cast to truly prosper. Ergo, not necessarily a plug-and-play option for Payton in year one.
"He's also going to have the advantage of not getting taken by a team that is heavy need team because of the depth of this quarterback draft," Klatt recently expounded on his podcast, via On3.com. "He's not going to get selected in the top three picks, I don't think at least ... Which means he's going to fall to some team or organization that is much more sound and has a much better roster that's going to work to his benefit. Good chance he lands with a team that is not terrible. That is not bad. And that makes for a better situation for a young quarterback."
In truth, potentially red-shirting McCarthy — if selected — isn't a terrible idea for the Broncos. Taking a longer view of developing a quarterback worked a treat for Andy Reid with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, and it could be an effective strategy for Payton to employ in the Mile High City.
Klatt is confident that much of what McCarthy did in college will transfer over, mitigating the formidable challenges the pro game inevitably throws at him.
"He's 27-1 as a starting quarterback," Klatt noted. "So does this game translate? Yes, of course it translates. He wasn't running a college offense. He was running Jim Harbaugh's offense. That is a pro style offense. He was handling protections. He was handling run checks. All of those things are going to translate. And he did so by the way, in an incredibly unselfish manner."
McCarthy meets the requisite height requirement, standing at 6-foot-3, but his relatively undersized weight (200 pounds) could present a red flag for some teams and cause more inclination to shy away.
Winning tends to make coaches look beyond how players, especially quarterbacks, react when they are plugged into a polygraph machine. Invariably, those like Payton are drawn to players like McCarthy, who's fresh off capturing a National Championship.
Payton might be intent on playing his own hunch when it comes to finding the next Drew Brees. But irrespective of gut feelings, the scales and tape measures are bound to have some bearing on which way the Broncos ultimately pivot.
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