“Bust”: J.J. McCarthy’s Prospects in Patriots Diminished After Sean Payton’s Criticism of Thin Players Like Tua Tagovailoa

In the wake of Tom Brady’s departure from the New England Patriots four years ago, speculation swirls around the team’s potential quarterback choice for the 2024 Draft season. While Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels dominate the conversation as top prospects, the Patriots hold the No. 3 overall pick, presenting an opportunity to secure at least one of these highly sought-after talents. However, there’s intrigue brewing over whether the Patriots might surprise everyone by selecting a different quarterback with their draft pick. 

In the past few weeks, J.J. McCarthy’s prospects have risen significantly, leading to a prospective scenario where his potential selection by the Patriots has caused Drake Maye from North Carolina to experience a notable drop in draft projections. However, Colin Cowherd senses some trouble brewing. In the latest episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast, Cowherd, accompanied by John Middlekauff delves into Sean Payton’s “undersized” rule that might cut McCarthy’s run short. 

Cowherd on Sean Payton’s “undersized” rule

In their recent discussions on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, sports pundits Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff honed in on a quarterback prospect they fear may “bust” or struggle to live up to expectations in the upcoming draft. Their attention seems to be centered around Michigan’s own J.J. McCarthy. Despite McCarthy’s undeniable skill set, there’s a palpable sense of uncertainty surrounding his potential as a first-round pick. “I think JJ McCarthy in New England is a bust,”– this speculation underscores the inherent unpredictability of the draft process and the pivotal role it plays in shaping a player’s NFL career trajectory. Cowherd, however, highlights another contributing aspect. “Stay away from smaller players whenever possible high in a draft,” he suggests, seconding Sean Payton, the former Super Bowl-winning coach. 

Sean Payton, who comes from “the school of Bill Parcells,” operated based on a certain rule, according to which he would “not draft undersized players at any position in the top 15, like Tua” Given the full-contact and physicality of American Football size is almost as important as skill. He hinted at the idea that Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Dolphins, might not retain his starting position in Miami, which later turned out to be a grave miscalculation. Talking about the 2024 Draft Pick, what are the odds of Cowherd and Co. bearing a similar fate? 

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy to the New England Patriots

Amidst the flurry of Pro Days leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots appear to have their sights set on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The buzz surrounding McCarthy intensified following the much anticipated Pro Day circuit, with Eliot Wolf, showing keen interest in the quarterback. While the Patriots’ attendance at McCarthy’s Pro Day suggests a potential match, their inclination towards him with the third overall pick raises eyebrows, considering the prevalent speculation linking them to UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. 

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Despite the apparent surprise, the notion of the Patriots selecting McCarthy is not entirely implausible. With the team in need of a prospective franchise quarterback following Mac Jones’ departure and the temporary acquisition of Jacoby Brissett, both analysts and fans can not help but acknowledge the possibility lingering on the horizon. McCarthy, with an impressive record of completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, along with three rushing touchdowns, has ascended the draft rankings at an incredible rate.