I know McCarthy is a bit of a lightning rod on here with plenty of detractors, but you can't question his arm strength and ability to throw the ball off platform. McCarthy making plays - ( New Window )
if the teams Scouts/Front office think he has the potential to be a franchise QB. Draft history clearly demonstrates how difficult it is to hit on a QB.
A QB that should be a late Day 2 pick but will go earlier
But he is the closest to Josh Allen in this class. Could JS and Dabs see it that way.
Wow, Jim. I hadn't heard that comp before. In what ways? Arm talent (which would be awesome)? Accuracy, coming out of college? (which would be less desirable)
But he is the closest to Josh Allen in this class. Could JS and Dabs see it that way.
Could not respectfully disagree more with this. Maye is a 6'4" 230lb highly mobile improviser that can make all the throws. Not taking anything away from McCarthy but he is not Allen's size and i think it's fair to question if his frame could even add that mass.
I personally would rather trade up, pick a QB at 6 or trade down and add picks for next years trade up. Some picks are more of a projection than others and I don't know why we'd sign up for a big time projection with the last one still on the roster.
Pratt is viewed as day 3, I think he goes day 2. McCarthy is everywhere from early second to late first, I think someone takes him high as in 15th or earlier.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
on so many QB candidates that I will not comment much on McCarthy. He has a strong arm and seems to lack a bit of touch, but can certainly hustle the ball to a position if needed. Super young. Likely that Harbaugh protected him and the team from chances of INTs - well I would too if I had a running game and oline like Michigan has/had. He did make places vs Alabama when he needed to in the semis.
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
Michigan. I remember him being a so-so college QB.......
If Schoen sees franchise potential in JJ, he will draft him. If not, we will get to witness his career elsewhere.
Personally, I watched a bunch of Michigan games this year vs. very good teams and he seems to be able to read a defense, not lock on to a receiver, smooth in the pocket, sense danger and if necessary, scramble for a first down.
Pratt is viewed as day 3, I think he goes day 2. McCarthy is everywhere from early second to late first, I think someone takes him high as in 15th or earlier.
Could be even higher than that, especially if he impresses at the combine. Have noticed recent tweets from reporters stating that McCarthy is thought of more highly by scouts as compared to the general public.
I see more of a Mitch Trubisky (adequate size, good not great athlete, average arm).
Actually, he's a great athlete, and he's Cleary got a strong arm. you got 1 out of 3 correct.
There is a lot to like about him and he's intriguing. But he isn't close to having the strongest arm in this class. I've been watching a lot of highlight videos of him and I don't see a particularly strong arm. He gets the ball to where it needs to be. But a lot of his passes just seem to take a long time to get there. I saw many of his "highlights" that would have been INTs in the pros, especially long outs. And his windup sometimes gets long to get extra zip. That will be a concern in the pros.
In all the highlights I've watched I've seen him throw 3 passes between 40 and 45 yards down the field, all were underthrown. I haven't seen him throw a pass more than 45 yards down the field. Maybe that's Michigan's offense.
He's a good runner, with above average speed for a QB, but he's not shifty and quick.
So many here rip Daniels for being 6-4, 210, but McCarthy is 6-3, 202. As I've said with Daniels, if McCarthy ends up a Giant he has a year to add weight and strength. So maybe the Giants are a good place for him.
on so many QB candidates that I will not comment much on McCarthy. He has a strong arm and seems to lack a bit of touch, but can certainly hustle the ball to a position if needed. Super young. Likely that Harbaugh protected him and the team from chances of INTs - well I would too if I had a running game and oline like Michigan has/had. He did make places vs Alabama when he needed to in the semis.
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
I agree with, and I think that is fair. The aforementioned comparisons were all about upside, no-one is saying he will be the next so and so, but that he has those attributes.
Not in playing style, but in draft trajectory. Richardson spent his college career getting slammed on BBI but the pro scouts had an entirely different view.
Draft season started with Richardson speculation that he could maybe possibly go in the 1st. Then chatter elevated him in amateur mock drafts to go in the teens. He ended up going 4th and played well last season.
Sy’s also hinted that the top 3 QBs may not be who you think they are. So I think there’s a decent chance he is the Giants 1st pick at 6 this year. It will be really interesting to see how this unfolds.
McCarthy has played injured.
In 2022 he played the entire year with a partially torn labrum. The injury occurred in spring practice and did not heal until after the season.
This year he injured his ankle against Penn State. He could not set his feet, so for 4-5 games he was not asked to throw the ball.
As a high school senior, he and Milton were tested and they were one-two with arm strength, distance, and velocity.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
Link - ( New Window )
Yep, a lot to like about McCarthy. I have a gut feeling he will be the Giants pick. The top 3 QBs will be gone, as will Harrison. Chargers don't need a QB.
As mentioned by others, he is very young as well. There is a ton to work with, he has been coached by a former NFL head coach.
I just laugh at all those saying "I don't want him on my team." Nobody knows. Opinions are like a-holes. If Schoen and the rest of the front office like him enough to select him, I'm 100% behind it. You don't get cute, trying to get him later.
Ones sniping shots at the Giants getting McCarthy are the same ones bitching they didn't get Josh Allen back in 2018 when most were wishing for Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold. Draft is a crapshoot and a lot depends where they land. Lamar going to the Baltimore Ravens, for example. The man who has the same amount of playoff wins as the often ridiculed Baker Mayfield.
Or you had a crew who pushed for Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis (my god....).
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
I
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
I agree on all these points Barens.
I especially like the fact that he’s just 21 and has so much room for growth both physically and and mentally.
I doubt he makes it past mid first round.
If we want him we may be in the Daniel Jones dilemma… do you take him at 6 or risk a trade down.
I’m not saying we definitely should or shouldn’t make him our choice, just opining on where he might go.
But he is the closest to Josh Allen in this class. Could JS and Dabs see it that way.
Maye is closer to Allen IMO.
Yeah Maye is absolutely much closer to Allen. I don't see the comparison between McCarthy and Allen at all. McCarthy played in a system that asked him to not lose the game.
is closer to Allen than McCarthy, but Allen is a better athlete than Maye.
I initially thought McCarthy was a late first, early second, round pick. I thought if was drafted in the top 15 it would be yet another example of teams over drafting a QB. But I now think he should be drafted top 15 - 20. He is a very good athlete, has a terrific arm, is accurate, and apparently has excellent processing speed. He's also only 21.
I still think he's a bit of a projection given that in many instances Michigan didn't seem to trust him to be more than a game manager who handed off and protected the ball with safe throws. But remember about 70% of Nix's throws were within 10 yards of the LOS and McCarthy has a much stronger arm IMO.
What will be really interesting is if McCarthy is taken ahead of Maye or Daniels.
IDK, I was just never impressed by him when I watched Michigan play
That both pro and anti-Jones people seem to dislike around here.
Which means he's the most likley to be passed on and six and subsequently tear it up in the league.
He may have all the talent needed to succeed in the NFL. He just never had to show that in college. He has the situation that people here want to build for Jones - great defense and dominant running game so the QB only has to be adequate. Maybe McCarthy doesn't need that at the NFL level, but I haven't seen him do enough in college to suggest that is true.
People are judging the Michigan offense as if they're breaking down McCarthy's arm talent, read process, reading the coverage, risk taking accuracy, and running ability off script. It's going to be exciting come Combine, pro days, and interview process. Wolverines vs Buckeyes 2022 - ( New Window )
he'd have put up big numbers. All that matters is the skillset. He has the arm and mobility but most important they say he has elite processing ability. I like him.
He may have all the talent needed to succeed in the NFL. He just never had to show that in college. He has the situation that people here want to build for Jones - great defense and dominant running game so the QB only has to be adequate. Maybe McCarthy doesn't need that at the NFL level, but I haven't seen him do enough in college to suggest that is true.
I may be confusing you with other members of the BBI QB Intelligentsia, but aren't you and certainly BW big proponents of the "scout QB traits, not stats" school of thought?
I personally, even as a Michigan fan, wouldn't touch JJ before the 2nd round and preferably 3rd. But watching him, I see a QB with a lot of plus if not plus plus traits. He's got a great arm (obviously not Elway/Allen, but who is?) and great mobility. He wasn't asked to do a whole lot and made some questionable decisions at times, but I would also argue that's just Harbaugh's offense and kind of always has been.
So I'm just curious what traits he definitively lacks that makes people cross him off? Physically, he's got it all. Mentally it's a question mark, but there's a huge difference between "hasn't had to do it" and "is incapable of doing it".
This is probably coming across as passive-aggressive, but I'm legitimately curious and asking in good faith. I don't love the guy, but I would think "traits hounds" would salivate at seeing what a guy with his combination of arm strength and mobility could be molded into by the right coaching staff.
Great point.
If you put McCarthy on USC, LSU, Oregon, Washington, etc. he would have been asked to do more.
He would likely be in the Heisman discussion and more highly touted.
The same can be said that if Williams, Maye, Daniels, etc. were on Michigan, there would be doubters.
And Maye didn't look too hot this past season. But their defense was abysmal and overall team talent wasn't too strong. If he drops to 6, he's a no brainer.
I think McCarthy is going to go much higher than any 2nd or 3rd round projection.
Ones sniping shots at the Giants getting McCarthy are the same ones bitching they didn't get Josh Allen back in 2018 when most were wishing for Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold. Draft is a crapshoot and a lot depends where they land. Lamar going to the Baltimore Ravens, for example. The man who has the same amount of playoff wins as the often ridiculed Baker Mayfield.
Or you had a crew who pushed for Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis (my god....).
IMV, lottery picks should be players who are vastly superior in terms of physical skills.
I could live with McCarthy later in the draft, but he does not possess the same package of physical attributes as Daniels, Maye and Williams. I think that's why there is pushback when McCarthy is elevated to the level of the top three.
If we took McCarthy on day two - or maybe trade up later in round one - I could live with it because I think that is fairer value based on his skills. And going late on day one or day two is still very complimentary of a prospect. You are one of the top 60+ players in the draft.
Watched pretty much every play of his college career.
Can run, but he won't hold up long term if asked to run often. Thought his reads on read option were inconsistent. Tough and will play through injury.
Has arm talent but frustrates with accuracy at times (especially overthrows). Struggled with deep accuracy especially early in his career. Was great on 3rd and long and 4th downs, Jake Butt is correct in point that out.
Brings a winning mentality and top notch intangibles. Teammates loved him and was a winner dating back to high school. Some guys have it and he seems to.
Makes some wow throws, but also trusts his arm sometimes to a fault (throwing into traffic). Thought another year in college would have helped him, but understand he had nothing else to accomplish on that level.
Brings a winning mentality and top notch intangibles. Teammates loved him and was a winner dating back to high school. Some guys have it and he seems to.
So?
How do you know that translates to the NFL and will make an NFL team better? I have been hearing and reading about Jones's intangibles for five long years.
To me, I find those to be nothing more than hackneyed items for football romantics who think intangibles help teams win more than physical skills.
Interesting highlights compared to Jayden Daniels.
When watching Jayden Daniels highlights, the top impression was his receivers always seemed to be open by 5 yards. Even in tougher games like Missouri. Of course he threw and ran well, but I don't ever recall seeing so many receivers so totally wide open for their QB.
The main impression I get from JJ's highlights above is that he throws into tight windows very often, and his receivers do a great job on contected catches. And he is a better and tougher runner than you would expect. Maybe this is who Sy56 is referring to??
to succeed, but they aren't everything. At most, if not all, positions, physical skills are enough to succeed in college moreso than in the pros.
There's a reason so many physically gifted QBs don't do so well in the NFL. They don't have the it factor. Deny that if you want. Intangibles are what make it difficult to project success from college into the pros.
In 5 years, I rarely saw much praise of DJ's intangibles.
on so many QB candidates that I will not comment much on McCarthy. He has a strong arm and seems to lack a bit of touch, but can certainly hustle the ball to a position if needed. Super young. Likely that Harbaugh protected him and the team from chances of INTs - well I would too if I had a running game and oline like Michigan has/had. He did make places vs Alabama when he needed to in the semis.
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
This. I didn't watch a lot of Michigan football, and the little I saw JJ looked ordinary. I do recognize with the running game and defense Michigan had, they may have wanted to stay conservative in the passing game.
The one interesting thing I read about JJ was a statement that he had elite processing skills. If the Giants' research really confirms that, then I could understand taking him in round 1 - we need a good arm with an elite brain.
He has all the traits you look for in a franchise qb. He just turned 21 a few weeks ago and he's 1.25 years younger than Caleb Williams.
When he had to make plays with his arm he performed well like against Ohio St x2. He was playing with an ankle injury that hindered his ability to step into throws after the Penn st game. He throws incredibly well on the move.
He will bulk up for the NFL and I wouldn't be surprised if he does better in the NFL stats wise than in college. His efficiency numbers passing and on 3rd down are off the charts.
He had no special receivers to throw to and he played in an old school system based on controlling the clock, running the rock and solid defense.
He will go much earlier than people think, perhaps as early as the Broncos pick. I don't see it being reasonably possible to trade into the back of rd1 for him. Sean Payton could turn him into a great franchise qb imo. If Dabs and Schoen believed in him and took him at pick 6 then I'd be excited tbh. I personally would prefer Jayden Daniels but we would need to get fortunate for a chance at him I think.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
Link - ( New Window )
Good post. I forgot to mention the injured Labrum last year. He is literally 1
25 years younger than Caleb Williams. Kids potential is sky high and I love his mentality. He is a gamer. My top 5 rankings of QB prospects are as follows:
1. Jayden Daniels
2. CW
3. Drake Maye
4. JJ McCarthy
5. Michael Pennix Jr
Maybe Jimbo Harbaugh will save us from making a mistake and grab him when Rd 2 starts to back up Herbert.
I'm hoping Washington or NE falls in love with JJ and takes him allowing one of the others to drop within reach
This is false. Drake Maye is the closest to Josh Allen in this class.
+1
Wow, Jim. I hadn't heard that comp before. In what ways? Arm talent (which would be awesome)? Accuracy, coming out of college? (which would be less desirable)
I think he has more Mahomes attributes than Allen. Not saying he's the next great one, but I do think he has those abilities.
Could not respectfully disagree more with this. Maye is a 6'4" 230lb highly mobile improviser that can make all the throws. Not taking anything away from McCarthy but he is not Allen's size and i think it's fair to question if his frame could even add that mass.
I personally would rather trade up, pick a QB at 6 or trade down and add picks for next years trade up. Some picks are more of a projection than others and I don't know why we'd sign up for a big time projection with the last one still on the roster.
I see more of a Mitch Trubisky (adequate size, good not great athlete, average arm).
That's McCarthy???
LOFL X infinity
I see more of a Mitch Trubisky (adequate size, good not great athlete, average arm).
Actually, he's a great athlete, and he's Cleary got a strong arm. you got 1 out of 3 correct.
Quote:
But he is the closest to Josh Allen in this class. Could JS and Dabs see it that way.
I think he has more Mahomes attributes than Allen. Not saying he's the next great one, but I do think he has those abilities.
Are you two kidding mentioning Mahomes and Allen on this thread?
Pratt is viewed as day 3, I think he goes day 2. McCarthy is everywhere from early second to late first, I think someone takes him high as in 15th or earlier.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
Link - ( New Window )
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
I don't know how he stacks up against the top three QBs but he has everything that they have and more.
I think he is underrated because he was not asked to be the focus of the team. He was not asked to win games.
He did what he had to do.
Williams, Maye, Daniels, Nix, and Penix were the focus of their teams, and as such received more acclaim.
If Schoen sees franchise potential in JJ, he will draft him. If not, we will get to witness his career elsewhere.
Personally, I watched a bunch of Michigan games this year vs. very good teams and he seems to be able to read a defense, not lock on to a receiver, smooth in the pocket, sense danger and if necessary, scramble for a first down.
His arm is strong and he seems to have touch.
Pratt is viewed as day 3, I think he goes day 2. McCarthy is everywhere from early second to late first, I think someone takes him high as in 15th or earlier.
Could be even higher than that, especially if he impresses at the combine. Have noticed recent tweets from reporters stating that McCarthy is thought of more highly by scouts as compared to the general public.
Quote:
holding water.
I see more of a Mitch Trubisky (adequate size, good not great athlete, average arm).
Actually, he's a great athlete, and he's Cleary got a strong arm. you got 1 out of 3 correct.
There is a lot to like about him and he's intriguing. But he isn't close to having the strongest arm in this class. I've been watching a lot of highlight videos of him and I don't see a particularly strong arm. He gets the ball to where it needs to be. But a lot of his passes just seem to take a long time to get there. I saw many of his "highlights" that would have been INTs in the pros, especially long outs. And his windup sometimes gets long to get extra zip. That will be a concern in the pros.
In all the highlights I've watched I've seen him throw 3 passes between 40 and 45 yards down the field, all were underthrown. I haven't seen him throw a pass more than 45 yards down the field. Maybe that's Michigan's offense.
He's a good runner, with above average speed for a QB, but he's not shifty and quick.
So many here rip Daniels for being 6-4, 210, but McCarthy is 6-3, 202. As I've said with Daniels, if McCarthy ends up a Giant he has a year to add weight and strength. So maybe the Giants are a good place for him.
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
I agree with, and I think that is fair. The aforementioned comparisons were all about upside, no-one is saying he will be the next so and so, but that he has those attributes.
Draft season started with Richardson speculation that he could maybe possibly go in the 1st. Then chatter elevated him in amateur mock drafts to go in the teens. He ended up going 4th and played well last season.
Sy’s also hinted that the top 3 QBs may not be who you think they are. So I think there’s a decent chance he is the Giants 1st pick at 6 this year. It will be really interesting to see how this unfolds.
In 2022 he played the entire year with a partially torn labrum. The injury occurred in spring practice and did not heal until after the season.
This year he injured his ankle against Penn State. He could not set his feet, so for 4-5 games he was not asked to throw the ball.
As a high school senior, he and Milton were tested and they were one-two with arm strength, distance, and velocity.
Penix and Nix turns 24 soon.
Daniels turns 24 in December.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
Link - ( New Window )
Yep, a lot to like about McCarthy. I have a gut feeling he will be the Giants pick. The top 3 QBs will be gone, as will Harrison. Chargers don't need a QB.
As mentioned by others, he is very young as well. There is a ton to work with, he has been coached by a former NFL head coach.
I just laugh at all those saying "I don't want him on my team." Nobody knows. Opinions are like a-holes. If Schoen and the rest of the front office like him enough to select him, I'm 100% behind it. You don't get cute, trying to get him later.
Or you had a crew who pushed for Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis (my god....).
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
I
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
I agree on all these points Barens.
I especially like the fact that he’s just 21 and has so much room for growth both physically and and mentally.
I doubt he makes it past mid first round.
If we want him we may be in the Daniel Jones dilemma… do you take him at 6 or risk a trade down.
I’m not saying we definitely should or shouldn’t make him our choice, just opining on where he might go.
Link - ( New Window )
Maye is closer to Allen IMO.
Which means he's the most likley to be passed on and six and subsequently tear it up in the league.
Quote:
But he is the closest to Josh Allen in this class. Could JS and Dabs see it that way.
Maye is closer to Allen IMO.
Yeah Maye is absolutely much closer to Allen. I don't see the comparison between McCarthy and Allen at all. McCarthy played in a system that asked him to not lose the game.
I initially thought McCarthy was a late first, early second, round pick. I thought if was drafted in the top 15 it would be yet another example of teams over drafting a QB. But I now think he should be drafted top 15 - 20. He is a very good athlete, has a terrific arm, is accurate, and apparently has excellent processing speed. He's also only 21.
I still think he's a bit of a projection given that in many instances Michigan didn't seem to trust him to be more than a game manager who handed off and protected the ball with safe throws. But remember about 70% of Nix's throws were within 10 yards of the LOS and McCarthy has a much stronger arm IMO.
What will be really interesting is if McCarthy is taken ahead of Maye or Daniels.
Any intel out there about whether his teammates attended his 21st birthday party?
Which means he's the most likley to be passed on and six and subsequently tear it up in the league.
He may have all the talent needed to succeed in the NFL. He just never had to show that in college. He has the situation that people here want to build for Jones - great defense and dominant running game so the QB only has to be adequate. Maybe McCarthy doesn't need that at the NFL level, but I haven't seen him do enough in college to suggest that is true.
People are judging the Michigan offense as if they're breaking down McCarthy's arm talent, read process, reading the coverage, risk taking accuracy, and running ability off script. It's going to be exciting come Combine, pro days, and interview process.
Wolverines vs Buckeyes 2022 - ( New Window )
He may have all the talent needed to succeed in the NFL. He just never had to show that in college. He has the situation that people here want to build for Jones - great defense and dominant running game so the QB only has to be adequate. Maybe McCarthy doesn't need that at the NFL level, but I haven't seen him do enough in college to suggest that is true.
I may be confusing you with other members of the BBI QB Intelligentsia, but aren't you and certainly BW big proponents of the "scout QB traits, not stats" school of thought?
I personally, even as a Michigan fan, wouldn't touch JJ before the 2nd round and preferably 3rd. But watching him, I see a QB with a lot of plus if not plus plus traits. He's got a great arm (obviously not Elway/Allen, but who is?) and great mobility. He wasn't asked to do a whole lot and made some questionable decisions at times, but I would also argue that's just Harbaugh's offense and kind of always has been.
So I'm just curious what traits he definitively lacks that makes people cross him off? Physically, he's got it all. Mentally it's a question mark, but there's a huge difference between "hasn't had to do it" and "is incapable of doing it".
This is probably coming across as passive-aggressive, but I'm legitimately curious and asking in good faith. I don't love the guy, but I would think "traits hounds" would salivate at seeing what a guy with his combination of arm strength and mobility could be molded into by the right coaching staff.
If you put McCarthy on USC, LSU, Oregon, Washington, etc. he would have been asked to do more.
He would likely be in the Heisman discussion and more highly touted.
The same can be said that if Williams, Maye, Daniels, etc. were on Michigan, there would be doubters.
I think McCarthy is going to go much higher than any 2nd or 3rd round projection.
Or you had a crew who pushed for Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis (my god....).
IMV, lottery picks should be players who are vastly superior in terms of physical skills.
I could live with McCarthy later in the draft, but he does not possess the same package of physical attributes as Daniels, Maye and Williams. I think that's why there is pushback when McCarthy is elevated to the level of the top three.
If we took McCarthy on day two - or maybe trade up later in round one - I could live with it because I think that is fairer value based on his skills. And going late on day one or day two is still very complimentary of a prospect. You are one of the top 60+ players in the draft.
Can run, but he won't hold up long term if asked to run often. Thought his reads on read option were inconsistent. Tough and will play through injury.
Has arm talent but frustrates with accuracy at times (especially overthrows). Struggled with deep accuracy especially early in his career. Was great on 3rd and long and 4th downs, Jake Butt is correct in point that out.
Brings a winning mentality and top notch intangibles. Teammates loved him and was a winner dating back to high school. Some guys have it and he seems to.
Makes some wow throws, but also trusts his arm sometimes to a fault (throwing into traffic). Thought another year in college would have helped him, but understand he had nothing else to accomplish on that level.
Brings a winning mentality and top notch intangibles. Teammates loved him and was a winner dating back to high school. Some guys have it and he seems to.
So?
How do you know that translates to the NFL and will make an NFL team better? I have been hearing and reading about Jones's intangibles for five long years.
To me, I find those to be nothing more than hackneyed items for football romantics who think intangibles help teams win more than physical skills.
The main impression I get from JJ's highlights above is that he throws into tight windows very often, and his receivers do a great job on contected catches. And he is a better and tougher runner than you would expect. Maybe this is who Sy56 is referring to??
There's a reason so many physically gifted QBs don't do so well in the NFL. They don't have the it factor. Deny that if you want. Intangibles are what make it difficult to project success from college into the pros.
In 5 years, I rarely saw much praise of DJ's intangibles.
Think I will sit back and watch the QB draft issue as it unfolds.
This. I didn't watch a lot of Michigan football, and the little I saw JJ looked ordinary. I do recognize with the running game and defense Michigan had, they may have wanted to stay conservative in the passing game.
The one interesting thing I read about JJ was a statement that he had elite processing skills. If the Giants' research really confirms that, then I could understand taking him in round 1 - we need a good arm with an elite brain.
When he had to make plays with his arm he performed well like against Ohio St x2. He was playing with an ankle injury that hindered his ability to step into throws after the Penn st game. He throws incredibly well on the move.
He will bulk up for the NFL and I wouldn't be surprised if he does better in the NFL stats wise than in college. His efficiency numbers passing and on 3rd down are off the charts.
He had no special receivers to throw to and he played in an old school system based on controlling the clock, running the rock and solid defense.
He will go much earlier than people think, perhaps as early as the Broncos pick. I don't see it being reasonably possible to trade into the back of rd1 for him. Sean Payton could turn him into a great franchise qb imo. If Dabs and Schoen believed in him and took him at pick 6 then I'd be excited tbh. I personally would prefer Jayden Daniels but we would need to get fortunate for a chance at him I think.
6'-3" 210 lbs
McCarthy was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
McCarthy may be the fastest of the qbs having run a 4.48 forty.
He may have the strongest arm. Note in the video below that in 2020 he routinely threw the ball 80 yards in his warm-ups.
McCarthy injured his labrum in 2022 but played through the injury. This past year he injured his ankle and played through it. Both injuries impacted his throwing and running.
I have been watching more of McCarthy's games and I am coming away very impressed.
He comes from a pro-style offense where he needs to read and react.
He can run.
He continually extends plays when they break down.
He throws off the platform.
He makes all throws.
He has a great release.
He is accurate.
He can manage a game
He is tough and plays through injuries.
He just turned 21
and he is a winner
Link - ( New Window )
Good post. I forgot to mention the injured Labrum last year. He is literally 1
25 years younger than Caleb Williams. Kids potential is sky high and I love his mentality. He is a gamer. My top 5 rankings of QB prospects are as follows:
1. Jayden Daniels
2. CW
3. Drake Maye
4. JJ McCarthy
5. Michael Pennix Jr