Michigan football's J.J. McCarthy will light up the NFL combine
People can call me crazy, but I believe Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy is as good as any quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.
I think Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels are all super talented players. But McCarthy is the total package. He just didn't get to show off his skills as much playing for Michigan football.
But looking past the numbers, if you really dig into the film, you see an elite quarterback. He's young and needs to be more consistent. Drafting him in the top 10 or even the top five will be a risk, but it's a risk that will pay off in a big way.
Latest J.J. McCarthy draft projections
Recently, CBS Sports projected McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11 overall. He would be the first Michigan football quarterback picked in the first round since Jim Harbaugh.
However, I don't see him lasting that long. There are QB-needy teams ahead of the Vikings and others with the ability to trade up into the top 10. McCarthy, who will throw this week at the NFL draft combine, is going to light it up.
McCarthy can make every throw. I've seen him make throws that remind me of Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes. He also runs 4.5 in the 40-meter dash and might be the most underrated athlete in the entire NFL draft.
Beyond all that, he's polished, a tremendous leader, clutch and a flat-out winner. He's the dude you want as a the face of your franchise for the next 10 years.
Jim Harbaugh predicted he would go No. 1. I don't know if that's true, but the Michigan football quarterback will light up the combine and I don't see any scenario where he isn't a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.