J.J. McCarthy is making a late surge in the quarterback race as the NFL Draft nears. While Caleb Williams is still the favorite for the top spot, the competition for the remaining picks is intense.  Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are expected to fight for the second and third spots. Meanwhile, McCarthy’s strong showing has him generating serious buzz at number four. 

His former coach, Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, even called him the best quarterback he’s ever seen, sparking a surge in McCarthy’s draft stock. Some view this rise as media hype, while others still believe it reflects McCarthy’s impressive performances.  This meteoric rise has even led some teams to consider trading up to the fourth spot to secure him. It looks like McCarthy’s potential fourth-place finish might even overshadow the top pick.  

J.J. McCarthy mania holds the 2024 draft

Analyst Michael Lombardi, on the Pat McAfee Show, addressed McCarthy’s dramatic rise in the QB race. He even talked about the Arizona Cardinals’ potential role in this drama. The Cardinals, holding the fourth pick, are openly trading their position. Lombardi believes they could be “the beneficiaries” if teams like the Giants or Vikings become desperate to trade up for McCarthy.

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Fueling this buzz is McCarthy’s former coach, Jim Harbaugh, who publicly declared McCarthy the “best quarterback” in the draft.  However, Lombardi also addressed this by saying, “But it’s different to say he’s the best quarterback in the draft than it is to grade the quarterbacks in the draft.” “The biggest mistake we make in grading these quarterbacks is we don’t look back to other quarterbacks or the players currently in the NFL” Lombardi explained.  He believes that people are caught up in draft slots instead of focusing on how players will actually perform. This will help us see if McCarthy’s raise is just hype or if he is a real danger to Caleb Williams.

Caleb Williams is still #1, but McCarthy chasing

Throughout the offseason, NFL teams have become increasingly interested in quarterback J.J. McCarthy. While his regular season stats weren’t as impressive as some other top prospects, his leadership led Michigan to a national championship. At his Pro Day, McCarthy silenced doubters with a jaw-dropping 60-yard touchdown pass, proving he has the arm strength needed for the NFL. This solidified his position as a potential top pick.

Michigan Pro Day: 7 Head Coaches, 9 GMs Attend to Scout J.J. McCarthy and Co. in Ann Arbor

Now, McCarthy faces stiff competition from quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, known for his exceptional arm talent and running ability.  In fact, both quarterbacks put up similar performances last year. Caleb Williams put up big numbers against the Washington Huskies (312 yards, 3 touchdowns), and Michigan’s McCarthy wasn’t far behind him. J.J. McCarthy completed 10 out of 18 throws for 140 yards against the Huskies with no touchdowns. This strong showing has McCarthy rising up draft boards, making him a surprise threat to Williams’ top prospect status. Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below. 

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