During the NFL Combine, J.J. McCarthy, the highly regarded quarterback, held formal meetings with a total of 11 NFL teams. McCarthy himself confirmed the teams he met with, which included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks.
These formal meetings are significant because NFL teams are allowed a limited number of 45 meetings, each lasting up to 20 minutes, with players at the NFL Combine. The meetings are seen as indications of the teams’ interest in a particular prospect.
Alongside these meetings, McCarthy also took part in drill work during the Combine. Although he did not participate in the 40-yard dash, he showcased his throwing ability alongside other top quarterback prospects such as Joe Milton, Bo Nix, and others.
McCarthy is widely projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Notably, other top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, did not participate in the Combine workouts.
J.J. McCarthy: What NFL scouts like
More than any other position, winning is considered the most crucial statistic for quarterbacks, and J.J. McCarthy demonstrated his ability to achieve success during his time at Michigan. Under his leadership, the Wolverines secured consecutive Big Ten championships, made back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff, and even won a national championship. While Michigan heavily relied on its running game, McCarthy showcased his clutch gene with pivotal plays against Ohio State and a game-tying drive against Alabama.
On a tangible level, McCarthy possesses the physical attributes necessary for the position, including height, a strong arm capable of making any throw, and the speed and agility to extend plays or create opportunities himself.
Even though Michigan often tasked McCarthy with managing games focused on their ground attack, he excelled in that role, throwing just one interception in 264 pass attempts over the final 12 games of the 2023 season. Despite not holding the captaincy, he was recognized as a selfless leader by Jim Harbaugh, who praised McCarthy as the program’s best-ever college quarterback and urged teammates to follow his lead unconditionally.
When given the opportunity, McCarthy showcased his playmaking abilities. He delivered exceptional throws in highly efficient performances against Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan State during the 2023 college football season. Notably, he made a remarkable touchdown throw to Roman Wilson in a tight window against Ohio State, rescued a trick play with an athletic catch and throw in Pasadena, and executed a critical 22-yard scramble against Washington in the CFP National Championship Game, which helped Michigan gain field position.
In summary, McCarthy possesses arm talent, athleticism, good decision-making skills, improvisational abilities, and the intangibles that played a significant role in Michigan’s journey to becoming national champions. While he may not have the same volume of passing seen in other potential first-round picks, his combination of traits positions him with a high ceiling for success.
J.J. McCarthy: What NFL scouts don’t like
There has been extensive discussion about J.J. McCarthy’s draft stock, particularly regarding his utilization in high-profile games. These conversations stem from actual observations, as McCarthy was not the primary driving force of the offense in a top-10 road game against Penn State, and he only surpassed 150 passing yards once in the final six games of Michigan’s national championship-winning season. Furthermore, he threw just four touchdowns in the last seven games. In comparison to other quarterback prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, McCarthy has fewer pass attempts on record, with 714.
Despite adding weight before the 2023 season, McCarthy still maintains a relatively lean physique. According to Michigan’s official measurements, he stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 202 pounds, which places him on the lighter end among NFL quarterbacks. This aspect raises potential concerns about his durability at the professional level.
In 2023, McCarthy took on more responsibility within the offense, being given the freedom to make adjustments and change plays at the line of scrimmage. However, evaluating him becomes challenging due to his limited exposure against elite defenses, which may cause some hesitation among NFL teams. While Michigan undoubtedly celebrates the outcomes achieved with McCarthy, NFL teams will likely have valid questions about his potential as a franchise quarterback based on his collegiate role.
