NFL Draft Buzz: JJ McCarthy Takes a Page From Tom Brady’s Book, Decides Not to Attend 2024 Draft in Person

2024 NFL Draft prospect J.J. McCarthy chooses to follow Tom Brady’s footsteps. Even after years of being away from the field, the TB12 still inspires the current players. McCarthy followed the legend’s playbook and made a difference by not appearing in the draft in person.

Among the total 13 players who are going to the draft two weeks later, three players are missing. McCarthy’s name stands out as he has been hyped up as the quarterback prospect for this season. But he misses out on the spot to be there in Detroit.

McCarthy follows Brady’s footsteps

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Michigan Wolverines’ quarterback is projected to be selected No. 4, according to different mock drafts. On Thursday, the organizers will release a detailed list of attendees for the draft. Going by the list, 13 players are expected to be at the draft in person. Unfortunately, McCarthy seems to be missing from the list of names.

This marks the lowest attendance since 2021; however, it was due to the post-pandemic situation. But this time, there is no concrete reason as to why the first round, which is on April 25, will have such low attendance.

In 2000, Brady went through a similar situation ahead of the NFL Draft. He did not attend the draft since, till the last moment, he was not sure that the Patriots would draft him.

McCarthy is now on the path to imitating Brady’s actions, but a few months back, the Wolverines’ former HC, Jim Harbaugh, drew parallels between the legend and the rookie.

Harbaugh draws in comparison between McCarthy and Brady

The last season seemed good for McCarthy, especially after he helped the program win a breakthrough Rose Bowl over Alabama. Talking highly about the young quarterback, Harbaugh said, “I think the last quarterback to win in overtime against Alabama was none other than Tom Brady. I’ve said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan history.”

With this, the coaching maestro chose to take the former Michigan quarterback legend and the current quarterback in the same sentence. Now that Harbaugh has left the Wolverines and joined the Los Angeles Chargers, he seems to be uninterested in the quarterback ahead of the draft. Even though the conversations around New England and blue-branded quarterbacks start and end with Brady, McCarthy now seems feasible for the Patriots.

In that case, Jerod Mayo will have to trade down to acquire J.J. McCarthy. With around 15 days left for the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy walking on Brady’s path hints at him becoming the second quarterback after Brady that the Patriots will rely on in the long-term.