Former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy is, as of now, the big winner in terms of late draft risers. He was considered a borderline first-rounder after the college football season, but has seen his draft stock skyrocket.
Earlier on Monday, One sportsbook posted odds that showed LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels as the odds-on favorite to be the second-overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft. That’s changed, though, due to some new rumors involving JJ McCarthy.
Take a look at this clip from Monday.
Pelissero: “When I’ve had conversations here, with executives from other teams, who know Adam Peters well, who know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at #2 is JJ McCarthy.” pic.twitter.com/dx8hRXe0Kq
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) March 25, 2024
“I’ve had conversations here with executives for other teams who know (Commanders GM) Adam Peters well, who know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they’re doing at No. 2 is JJ McCarthy,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said.
As of Monday morning, JJ McCarthy was still a longshot to be the second-overall pick to the Commanders, with USC quarterback Caleb Williams looking likely to be the first-overall pick to the Bears. But, those odds have changed greatly. Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has said that his former Michigan quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, will be the first pick in the draft. That’s still unlikely, but there’s a growing belief he could go No. 2.
DraftKings Sportsbook has moved McCarthy from +2500 to be the second pick to +500, following his Pro Day workout and building chatter that the Commanders will opt for the guy who won a national championship in January.
This is a pretty wild development, considering where McCarthy was mocked the last time he played a football game. Make no mistake, he had a great year and an outstanding two-year run as a starter at Michigan. But, I think many have serious and legitimate questions about him as a starting quarterback long-term.
In two years as the starter in Ann Arbor, JJ McCarthy threw 44 touchdown passes against just nine interceptions while only losing one game. In Michigan’s perfect 15-0 title-winning season in 2023, he threw just four interceptions, with three of them in one game against Bowling Green. Plus, he’s a threat with his legs, and showed off impressive arm strength and accuracy both in the season and at his pro day.
But, he wasn’t asked to carry a Michigan team that relied on an excellent run game and dominant defense. They frequently ran the ball on 3rd and long and trusted their defense. Most NFL franchises won’t be doing that, and it’s on 3rd and medium+ that make the difference for NFL quarterbacks.
His intangibles and leadership seem to be off the charts, and he helped hold a Michigan team together that faced adversity all season.
The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit.