JJ McCarthy made a solid impression at the NFL Scouting Combine, but not enough that many drafters were suddenly drafting him ahead of other quarterbacks.
Unable to run due to a hamstring injury, McCarthy still wowed scouts with his arm talent in pitching practice, which led some, but not all, to make him a top-10 pick, perhaps even a top-five pick. It is considered that it is even included. Many still have him behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, but there's more buzz surrounding his abilities than there was a month ago.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. announced a big move after the combination, and while it wasn't a meteoric rise, McCarthy moved up the rankings and the former Michigan signal-caller is at the next level. I see it as having a lot of potential. (Subscription required)
20. JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan State
6-2, 219 lbs | Previously: 23
McCarthy is a first-rounder with arm talent and can break through defenses with his feet. In 2023, he ranked third in the nation in total QBR (89.2) and success rate (72.3%). Since he became the Wolverines' starter in 2022, he has thrown 44 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. However, his five of those came in just two games. He threw three times against Bowling Green in early 2023 and had two pick-sixes in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU in 2022. Other than those two games, he managed the game effectively and made great decisions in his football.
I recently projected McCarthy midway through the first round in my debut mock draft. Granted, he averaged just 22.1 pass attempts per game in 2023 and only completed 10 passes in the national title game, but his upside is immense.
Some on ESPN rate McCarthy higher than others, and Louis Riddick said fans shouldn't be surprised if he gets selected much earlier than most expected. We'll see, of course, but McCarthy still has a pro day to wow scouts and general managers.
This is likely the last time he will have a say in his draft stock, and while Kiper's update is a net positive, don't be surprised if he moves up a bit more before the final release before the draft in April.
The story originally appeared on Wolverines Wire
