Rookie Scouting Profile: JJ McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy (QB) Michigan

Ht.	Wt.	40-Time	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-2 1/2	219	4.60*	Top 15	3.02	Alex Smith

* estimate

College Production

A five-star recruit out of La Grange Park, Illinois, J.J. McCarthy first starred and won a state title at Nazareth Academy before switching to IMG Academy in 2020 where he passed for 1,440 yards and compiled a 16-0 TD-to-INT ratio and won the consensus high school football national championship. Enrolled at Michigan before graduating and saw action in 11 games as a true freshman reserve. Edged out Cade McNamara for the starting role in 2022. Threw for 2,719 yards, 22 TDs, five interceptions, and led the Wolverines to the college football playoff semi-finals and Third-team All-Big-Ten accolades. Broke out as a junior, where he was named to the All-Big-Ten First-team, and was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Strengths

• Displayed excellent accuracy and has experience taking snaps under center in a pro-style offense.

• 80% Adjusted Completion Rate ranked fifth in FBS in 2023.

• Underrated runner who rushed for 306 yards and five scores in 2022. McCarthy also is extremely accurate when on the move, opening up downfield passing opportunities to exploit.

• Outstanding awareness. He uses his feet to buy time and is not afraid to stand in the pocket and let routes develop. Intelligent.

• Very strong leadership qualities. McCarthy was also clutch and capable of bringing his team from behind and willing his team to victory.

• Strong throwing arm. Threw a 61 MPH pass at the Scouting Combine. The record is 62 MPH.

• 90th percentile Agility Score (11.05).

• Compiled a 27-1 record as the starter at Michigan.

Concerns

• Needs to improve “touch” on intermediate and deep throws. Tends to overthrow easy throws and sling the ball when less velocity could help extend a play.

• Accuracy and timing on boundary throws towards the sideline need improvement.

• Will need to work on pre-snap reads and progressions.

• Thin frame and penchant for taking off to run could lead to injury concerns in the NFL.

Fantasy Outlook

Perhaps no player has seen his 2024 NFL Draft stock rise as much as J.J. McCarthy. Former Michigan and new Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh called McCarthy the best player in the entire draft. Once draftniks started breaking down McCarthy’s success in a pro-style offense, he went from late-first to potential top-10 territory.

McCarthy’s dynasty ADP remains soft but that could change if he is selected in the top half of Round One. Rumors that the Vikings and Broncos are intrigued make the likelihood that he goes in that range greater. If that plays out, McCarthy could be as high as QB3 in rookie drafts. That makes him a potential first-rounder in Superflex leagues.

I like McCarthy. While I’m more skeptical of Drake Maye, McCarthy was initially my QB3 in this class. I project him to be an adequate pro with some upside.

Assuming he secures a starting gig as a rookie, McCarthy won’t be on my redraft radar, but I think he’s a value at his current third-round rookie ADP.

Other Rookie Profiles

See where J.J. McCarthy ranks in Jody’s 2024 rookie rankings.

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