Projections for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s 2024 NFL Draft
When the 2024 NFL draft takes place on Thursday, April 25, J.J. McCarthy won’t be the first quarterback selected, but few prospects are more interesting than the Michigan product.
Days after leading the Wolverines to a national title victory over Washington, the seasoned quarterback announced his candidacy for the draft on Sunday. Having started for the Wolverines the last two seasons, he has a 27-1 record, which is an unquestionable winning resume. Compared to other probable first-rounders like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels though, McCarthy didn’t exactly clutter the statsheet.
McCarthy completed a solid 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions by the end of 2023. During his collegiate career, he scored 10 touchdowns on the ground and amassed 202 yards and three touchdowns as a dangerous runner.
Notably, Michigan relied heavily on their run game in some of the biggest games of the season as well as the remainder of the season. McCarthy threw for more than 150 yards just three times during the final six games of the season—against Penn State, at Maryland, against Ohio State, against Iowa (Big Ten championship), against Alabama and Washington (College Football Playoff)—his 221-yard, three touchdown ards per game during that stretch, with four touchdowns and one interception.) He only averaged 142.8 years.
Thus, what is the current consensus on McCarthy’s status in the NFL? Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling released his most recent mock draft on Thursday morning, and the Michigan gunslinger is not among the top 32 picks; instead, four other quarterbacks are selected. Other draft experts do anticipate McCarthy to be selected on the first round in recent mock drafts, though:
