JJ McCarthy is coming off a national championship season with the Michigan Wolverines. While there was some speculation he could return for his senior season, McCarthy ultimately decided to declare for the NFL Draft. He is one of the trickiest quarterbacks to evaluate. McCarthy was buoyed by a strong run game and a suffocating defense. He was not asked to do much with the Wolverines but did show flashes of greatness that should make teams consider drafting him.
NFL Draft Profile: Michigan QB JJ McCarthy
JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan
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- Junior
- Age: 21
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 197 lbs
- Hometown: La Grange Park, Illinois
College Career Summary
McCarthy has been with the team for three years and the starter for two.
2021
Cade McNamara was the starter in 2021, but JJ McCarthy was used in certain packages. Despite playing limited snaps, he threw for 569 yards, rushed for 124, and had seven total touchdowns. He showed enough upside for the Wolverines to make him the starter next season. McNamara then transferred to Iowa.
2022
In his first full season as the starter, JJ McCarthy went 208-322 (64.6%) for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions. On the ground, he had 306 yards and five touchdowns. His best game of the season was at Indiana, where he threw for over 300 yards while completing 70% of his passes. He led the Wolverines to a College Football Playoff appearance.
The playoff game against TCU was his lone loss as the starter at Michigan. Despite two interceptions, he threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-45 loss. With star running back Blake Corum injured in this game, McCarthy was asked to do more. The loss gave this team motivation going into 2023.
2023
JJ McCarthy continued to improve in the 2023 season. He completed 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards. Once again, he kept his interceptions low, throwing 22 touchdowns to only four interceptions. His best game was against their in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans. On the road in East Lansing, he quieted the crowd by throwing for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
In the College Football Playoff, the defense and running game carried the load. In the championship game against Washington, he only completed ten passes for 140 yards. However, he still had to make some big throws in the game and in the semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
JJ McCarthys’ Strengths
- Strong arm
- Great accuracy
- Good pocket presence
- Good throwing mechanics & decision making
JJ McCarthys’ Weaknesses
- Struggles on throws to the boundaries
- Inexperienced reading complex defenses
- Often telegraphs throws
- Needs to work on touch throws
NFL Player Comparisons
- Brock Purdy
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Ryan Tannehill
Rookie Outlook
JJ McCarthy will be a project. He has the raw physical tools but needs refinement. The wow-throws are there. The biggest knock on him is the lack of big-time throws he has had to make. However, if you dig through the tape, you can find elite throws against opponents like Ohio State and Alabama. The best thing for McCarthy would be to go to a team with a lot of talent.
The Brock Purdy comp is perfect. Is Purdy the best quarterback in the league? No. Does Purdy make smart plays to take advantage of the talent around him? Absolutely. If McCarthy goes to a team that doesn’t ask him to do too much, he will be successful. Furthermore, if he sits for a year or two and learns behind a good coaching staff, he could blossom into something special.
Mock drafts have him all over the place. Most recent mocks have him picked in the first round, but there is no consensus. On NFL Mock Draft Database, he has been mocked to the Las Vegas, Minnesota, Denver, Miami, Tampa Bay, New England, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and the Los Angeles Rams within the last week. I wouldn’t count out Jim Harbaugh taking him if he is available in later rounds.
Fantasy Outlook
If you are taking JJ McCarthy in fantasy football, it is likely a dynasty league. There is a chance he will play in 2024. He could come in and immediately impress in camp and win the job. Injuries happen as well, which could thrust him into a starting role. However, I would expect very limited numbers from McCarthy this year.
Taking him isn’t a bad idea, but I would prioritize other rookies who have a much higher ceiling. Some of his value will depend on where he ends up. If JJ McCarthy ends up in Las Vegas, there is a much higher chance he usurps Aidan O’Connell for the starting job. If he ends up in Miami, Tua Tagovailoa is the clear starter, and McCarthy will sit. In any kind of keeper or dynasty league he is worth a look but likely will not put up huge stats his rookie season.
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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