2024 NFL Draft Profile: Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy

Position: Quarterback

School: Michigan

Play Style: Mobile Pocket Passer

Age: 21

DOB: 1/20/2003

Height: 6'2

Weight: 219 lbs

40-Time: 4.60

FantasySP Position Ranking: 5

Round Projected: 1

NFL Comp: Baker Mayfield

Summary

The hype train is going full speed down the tracks for McCarthy as rumors and reports continue to surface that his draft stock is skyrocketing. He's a blue-collar quarterback with tons of intangibles coming off a National Championship.

The issue is that from a talent standpoint, there is nothing special about him. When you watch his film, he's good at most things but great at nothing. Players like him rarely become stars on the next level.

There is no denying that he's a tough, gritty player, however, at the end of the day, he lacks the physical talent needed to become a franchise quarterback in the NFL. Somebody is going to draft him way too high and set their franchise back another five years. The fans will love him, his teammates will love him, and it would be a great story if he could tough and intangible his way to being a star quarterback. Unfortunately, that's just not how things work in real life. 

Strengths

- He's a strong leader

- A tough and gritty player who won't shy away from contact whether he's throwing or running the ball

- Proven winner

- Has shown all the intangibles 

- Clutch in big moments

- Good pocket presence 

- Throws well on the move

- Is decisive in his decision-making

- Good velocity on his passes

Weaknesses

- Average arm strength

- Not overly athletic

- Lacks escapability when being chased by defenders in the backfield

- Slow release with a noticeable wind-up too often

- Not great with timing routes

- Wideouts outrun his passes on crossing routes and slants

- Doesn't throw a great deep ball

- Inconsistent accuracy

- Struggles with touch passes

- Durability could be an issue with his hard-nosed play style and wiry frame

Our Take

It's likely McCarthy is a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft or very close to it when he probably shouldn't even be a first-round pick. This feels more like people want him to be great and they are seeing what they want to see in him.

He's the tough, gritty quarterback that everyone wants to root for. Those types of players much more often than not are busts on the next level. That's not to say that he will be terrible, but he also won't be great. In the NFL, he will probably be a solid quarterback who becomes a very good backup who fans buy the jersey of and always want him to replace the starter despite his visible limitations as both an athlete and a quarterback.