While there has been some talk about the New York Giants possibly trading up to take one of the top three quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, there seems to be growing speculation that there could be a QB they like that will still be very much available when they pick at six in April.
Many in the Giants fan base are wondering if the organization will use their top pick this year to find a replacement for starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who also has franchise QB potential. The team has sent mixed messages about their plans for the position that range from still believing in Jones to possible interest in North Carolina star Drakey Maye.
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However, the team reportedly met with Michigan Wolverines star JJ McCarthy this week at the NFL Combine and made some wonder if they have serious interest in the champion QB. Well, on a Friday edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” NFL insider Dan Graziano suggested McCarthy’s stock is rising by the day and being selected by the Giants is very realistic.
“Coming into the combines the sense I get when I talk to teams is people are pretty high on JJ McCarthy,” Graziano said. “Of course, this week can affect perceptions. So, it’s entirely possible that he looks good on tape and they want to like him [but] he shows up here and doesn’t test the way they would hope.
- JJ McCarthy stats (2023): 72.3 completion %, 2,991 passing yards, 202 rushing yards, 25 total TDs, 4 INTs
“Coming into this I definitely got the sense that JJ McCarthy would likely be the No. 4 quarterback taken and he had a chance to go higher than people think. Maybe even in the top 10 where the Giants are sitting,” he added. “Yes, the Giants met with Caleb Williams too, they’re going to meet with all these guys. But I think JJ McCarthy is an interesting guy to watch for teams in that zone. Giants at six, Atlanta at eight, Minnesota at 11. I wouldn’t rule him out in that range.”
Is JJ McCarthy a legitimate option for the New York Giants?
For much of the college football season, McCarthy was considered one of the best among his peers, but when it came to his stock in the NFL Draft he was well behind fellow star QBs like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr.
However, after leading the Wolverines to a national title in January and getting consistent ringing endorsements from one of the most respected minds in the sport, head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 21-year-old’s stock has skyrocketed while players like Nix and Penix Jr. has slipped.
It shows that teams are taking a very serious look at him and it is understandable why. He grew every season in Michigan and was outstanding in 2023 as he hit on over 72% of his passes and had a 22-4 touchdown to interception ratio in an elite conference. He has a solid build at 6-foot-3 and just under 200 pounds and has the much-needed ability to tuck the ball and pick up yards with his legs.
His name has already built momentum in recent weeks and may gain even more after this week.
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