J.J. McCarthy’s standing in the 2024 NFL draft has been on a meteoric rise ever since Michigan clinched the College Football Playoff title. However, within NFL circles, there remains a degree of skepticism regarding his ultimate potential.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on a recent SportsCenter segment, while many scouts see McCarthy as a top-tier prospect, there are some reservations, with comparisons drawn to Kirk Cousins:
“He is a hot name right now because the expectation is that quarterbacks go 1-2-3 in the draft and then there are several that still need one picking in the top 15. Minnesota, armed with two first-round picks now, do they move up? The Raiders, Broncos, Giants to an extent, all doing extensive work on the quarterback position as a whole.
So, if somebody falls in love with him they could maybe even have to move up as high as No. 4 to Arizona. So, teams aren’t completely sold on McCarthy depending on the team, but I’ve talked to enough scouts who say he’s got high-level ability even though he was asked to be a game manager at Michigan, he has all of the traits to succeed. I’ve heard him compared to from a few scouts as like a stronger, bigger Kirk Cousins. So, if you’re Minnesota, do you want that on a cheaper rookie contract than what you had to pay Kirk Cousins in the past?”
In a recent mock draft by B/R’s NFL scouting department, McCarthy was projected to be selected by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 overall. It’s important to note that this mock draft did not incorporate trades and was released prior to free agency, during which the Falcons signed Cousins.
NFL Network’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah added weight to the expectation that four quarterbacks could be chosen within the top six picks. Caleb Williams is considered a frontrunner for the No. 1 overall selection by the Chicago Bears, followed by Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, likely to be picked by the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, albeit in uncertain order.
Given the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback situation with Kyler Murray on the roster, they appear as prime trade candidates for a team coveting McCarthy and fearing he won’t be available when their turn comes at No. 4.
Rumors are circulating that the Minnesota Vikings, holding the No. 11 pick and having acquired the No. 23 pick from the Houston Texans, are contemplating leveraging their additional draft capital to move up and secure McCarthy.
Despite just bidding farewell to the Cousins era, which saw relative success with a 50-37-1 record and two playoff appearances in six seasons, the Vikings might see McCarthy as a potential upgrade. If McCarthy’s career trajectory mirrors that of Cousins, it would signify a substantial win for any team, showcasing the viability of such a quarterback if surrounded by the right talent.
