Not every football fan is buying JJ McCarthy’s excellent showing at Michigan’s Pro Day on Friday.
JJ McCarthy turned heads with a series of incredible deep ball passes during the Wolverines’ Pro Day, including a dandy of a 60-yard bomb to running back Blake Corum:
JJ McCarthy with a 60-yard dime to Blake Corum…🎯🔥
🎥: Mak Issa#ProDay | #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/pctZTxru5O
— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) March 22, 2024
J.J. McCarthy was letting it rip today 🎯
🎥: @BradGalli / MGoBlueTV https://t.co/ZyhAMgCvun pic.twitter.com/CgjBUTRPOu
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 22, 2024
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are the consensus top-three quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. Williams himself is a virtual lock to go first overall to the Chicago Bears, with the Washington Commanders likely to take either Daniels or Maye with the pick.
Though JJ McCarthy is the consensus No. 4 QB prospect in this year’s draft class, many scouts and analysts aren’t entirely sold. The critics believe he has physical limitations and was simply in a good system with Michigan’s elite defense and powerful rushing game.
And even with a strong Pro Day outing on Friday, plenty of fans couldn’t help but compare JJ McCarthy to New York Jets QB Zach Wilson. The No. 2 pick of 2021 also dazzled in his Pro Day, after all.
JJ McCarthy doing the "Zach Wilson" at his Pro Day is going to get someone fired.
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) March 22, 2024
Im not saying it will end the same, but you have to admit that JJ McCarthy and Zach Wilson look very similar lol
— Anthony Amico (@amicsta) March 23, 2024
Zach Wilson and JJ McCarthy when they cross paths at Burger King https://t.co/g3AZr5LWHt pic.twitter.com/hmghV9sJvq
— Ross (@Smellyjazz) March 23, 2024
JJ McCarthy is intriguing, but my goodness he resembles Zach Wilson.
— Savage (@SavageSports_) March 23, 2024
JJ McCarthy…Zach Wilson.. Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/xl6qJHVP46
— BigStephGlo (@really_51) March 22, 2024
JJ McCarthy shouldn’t have done this amazing off platform long bomb. It’s now a red flag after Zach Wilson.
— Billcotterforcongress.com (@Billyhottakes) March 23, 2024
Zach Wilson throw 2.0 ! pic.twitter.com/AT5YafUd8N
— Eric Mintzer (@MintSports) March 23, 2024
We will not forget. pic.twitter.com/WmO21rAVa2
— Tyler Glasscock (@tytalkssports6) March 22, 2024
Wilson’s career has been nothing short of disappointing up to this point. He is 12-21-0 as a starter for the Jets, with a 57.0 completion percentage for 6,293 passing yards and 23 touchdowns against 25 interceptions.
So yes, whichever team drafts JJ McCarthy better hope that he does not end up following Wilson’s footsteps. That is, by going from an excellent Pro Day to a high draft pick to a big-time NFL draft bust.
Plenty Of QB-Needy Teams Need JJ McCarthy
Regardless of how you feel about JJ McCarthy, he’s a sure-bet to be a top-20 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Consider that one of the top NFL draft analysts, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, has McCarthy as the No. 15 prospect on his updated big board.
Just look at the amount of teams who may target a quarterback after the top three picks: The New York Giants (No. 6), Minnesota Vikings (No. 11), Denver Broncos (No. 12), Las Vegas Raiders (No.13) and Seattle Seahawks (No.16).
Reports have indicated that the Giants and Vikings especially have strong interest in JJ McCarthy, with some suggesting Minnesota wants to trade up to secure him.
