2024 NFL Combine: J.J. McCarthy’s Draft Stock Skyrockets After Formal Meetings With 11 Teams, Including Broncos and Patriots

Former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy participated in throwing drills at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Saturday. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash or attempt jumps due to hamstring tightness but measured just over 6’2″ and 219 pounds, he’s definitely showing added bulk from his college days when he weighed 202 pounds.

Not just that, McCarthy has now confirmed having formal meetings with 11 major teams at the NFL Combine, which has boosted his draft status. Also, from recent Combine coverage, it seems McCarthy may be closer to the top 3 quarterbacks than previously believed.

During his appearance on the NFL Network on Saturday afternoon, J.J. McCarthy disclosed that he had formal meetings with 11 NFL teams throughout the week. His meetings began with the Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints on the first day. Subsequently, he met with the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks. It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t the final list, as McCarthy will likely be meeting with more teams. Nonetheless, this list gives us a good idea of the teams that might consider drafting McCarthy.

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McCarthy, anticipated as a first-round pick in April’s draft, has emerged as a contender in the quarterback rankings. While the top three quarterbacks for the 2024 NFL draft—Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels—appear set, McCarthy’s solid performance at the NFL Scouting Combine has elevated his status. He is now projected to be drafted as the fourth quarterback, inching closer to the top-tier prospects in the quarterback lineup. Now, everyone is watching McCarthy closely as he aims to secure a possible top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.

Which team will land the Michigan Star quarterback?

McCarthy’s stats with the Wolverines last season weren’t eye-popping. He finished last season by completing 72.3 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns. However, he’s known for making smart decisions, with only 4 interceptions thrown last season, and performing well under pressure.

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Currently, Caleb Williams is expected to be the top pick, potentially heading to the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, McCarthy could catch the attention of teams in need of a quarterback like the Minnesota Vikings (No. 11), Atlanta Falcons (No. 8), and Denver Broncos (No. 12) in the first round.

With the Broncos likely parting ways with Russell Wilson, McCarthy could be a potential replacement. Also, the New England Patriots (No. 3) are still searching for a new quarterback after Tom Brady. Their attempts with Cam Newton didn’t work out, and Mac Jones hasn’t performed very well. Maybe another player from Michigan was the solution they needed all along.