Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the months leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Once viewed as a fringe first-round pick, the national champion reportedly could now generate a bidding war for his services with one team viewed as the favorite.
McCarthy didn’t necessarily do anything in his final games with the Wolverines or early in the pre-draft process to significantly elevate his stock. Across his final six games, the Wolverines’ signal-caller attempted just 126 passes and averaged 142.8 passing yards per game in his final six games, a stretch that included matchups against Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama and Washington.
- JJ McCarthy stats (career): 6,226 passing yards, 160.5 QB rating, 49-11 TD-INT, 67.5% completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt, 632 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns
Related: JJ McCarthy reportedly might go astonishingly high in 2024 NFL Draft
At the NFL Combine, McCarthy measured in with a more filled-out frame than teams expected. However, he was also relatively inconsistent in throwing vertically and to his left during drills, an issue that also showed up in charting from the regular season.
However, the 6-foot-3 quarterback is now widely expected to be a top-12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he might go even higher. Just over a month out from the 2024 NFL Draft, there appears to be one team that many around the league believe is the biggest threat to land him.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft QB rankings, see where J.J. McCarthy lands
- JJ McCarthy stats 2023: 167.4 QB rating, 2,991 passing yards, 22-4 TD-INT, 9.0 ypa
According to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports, many around the league believe that the teams most interested in landing McCarthy will have to move ahead of the Minnesota Vikings to land him. That could prove even more difficult with the Vikings also looking to jump into the top 10.
With the increasing possibility of Kirk Cousins leaving Minnesota for the Atlanta Falcons, it puts the Vikings in a difficult position. If they lose their veteran quarterback, all while Justin Jefferson still hasn’t signed a contract extension, there are long-term risks for the offense.
Cousins leaving Minnesota for Atlanta would at least take the Falcons (eighth overall pick) out of the mix for McCarthy, but teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are still viable threats. If the Vikings ultimately land McCarthy, despite some questions about his readiness to be a quality starter, he will likely replace Cousins is Minnesota’s top quarterback in 2024.
