ESPN projects Michigan football QB J.J. McCarthy as a first-round pick
![Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy points down the field during the second half of the College Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy points down the field during the second half of the College](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2400,h_1350,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/148/01hnx1237e6adfxpawcf.jpg)
We are still a couple of months away from the 2024 NFL draft, but with the Senior Bowl just getting completed, ESPN has released a new mock draft.
This mock draft was put together by draft expert Matt Miller. Many have mocked the idea of J.J. McCarthy being a first-round pick, but the former Michigan football quarterback was projected as a first-round pick by ESPN's Miller.
Matt still has J.J. McCarthy going No. 13 to the Raiders, and three Michigan players in the second round:
— Aaron McMann | MLive.com (@AaronMcMann) February 5, 2024
• DL Kris Jenkins (47 — Giants)
• WR Roman Wilson (48 — Jaguars)
• LB Junior Colson (53 — Eagles) https://t.co/V991MTqvqD
McCarthy has an NFL arm. He was also extremely accurate at Michigan. Sure, there is still more teams need to see from him and the fact is that Michigan football didn't ask him to do as much as say USC asked of Caleb Williams.
J.J. McCarthy's draft stock is trending up
But people that know ball, know McCarthy has all the tools you want in a franchise quarterback. Some team will get a steal and ESPN projects McCarthy to land with the Las Vegas Raiders with the 13th overall pick.
The Raiders have been looking for a franchise quarterback and McCarthy would fill that void. It would also be interesting because it would mean lots of games against his former head coach, Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers.
McCarthy going 13th wouldn't surprise me at all. I think there's a strong chance that he winds up in the top 10. He's that talented and the pre-draft process will help his cause.
Michigan football wideout Roman Wilson, the top target of McCarthy's last season was projected by Miller as a second-round pick. Wilson flashed with his speed and route-running last week after posting over 700 yards receiving and catching 12 touchdowns last season for the Wolverines.
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Kris Jenkins (47th) and Junior Colson (53rd) were also projected as second-round picks.