J.J. McCarthy, the standout quarterback from Michigan, is another intriguing name to add to the Denver Broncos’ ever-expanding list of possible under-center options. McCarthy declared for the 2024 NFL draft on Sunday, announcing that he will not be joining the National Champion Wolverines.
McCarthy will only 21 on January 20, but he has demonstrated time and time again that winning big games is his speciality thanks to a starting record of 27-1 over two seasons at Ann Arbour. Remarkably, McCarthy only finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting; however, this could have been attributed to his involvement in Michigan’s run-first scheme.
McCarthy’s speciality was ball security; for the course of the previous two seasons, he only thrown nine interceptions. McCarthy has the ability to take charge of an offence and guide a club, which may have attracted Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Considering that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh missed a total of six games due to two suspensions this past season, McCarthy hardly missed a beat.
Under the most extreme circumstances, the young quarterback did, in fact, play brilliantly in the final stretch and into the collegiate playoffs. During the pre-draft phase, other professional coaches will undoubtedly take notice of McCarthy’s ability to see the field and make a variety of throws from different angles.
That’s where the Broncos might run into additional trouble because, despite his many skills, McCarthy has flaws in his game that might cause him to jump up draft boards all across the NFL. He will need some coaching to help him realise his full potential at the next level because he still lacks the touch and feel of a passer.
As a result, McCarthy might receive a second-round grade from some teams before the selection. But chances are, if NFL teams have an opportunity to speak with this proven champion, it will significantly swing the odds back in favour of the quarterback in terms of his draft stock.
Despite all of this, Coach Harbaugh continued to validate McCarthy’s NFL readiness.
Harbaugh stated in December, “I can’t lie and say I don’t think he’s NFL-ready.” “I very much think he’s NFL-ready.”
The Broncos, seated at No. 12 overall in the selection, may benefit if other teams believe they don’t have the opportunity to develop McCarthy further, at least initially. Denver may even decide to trade down if it believes that teams are less confident in McCarthy, depending on how the cards fall.
It could be argued that the team that selects McCarthy would gain from showing him some Jordan Love-like patience. With the way the Green Bay Packers signal-caller is developing and dominating elite defences like the Dallas Cowboys, that kind of extreme caution may become the new standard in the NFL.
Although it seems unlikely, dethroned starting Russell Wilson might come back for the Broncos the following season as a bridge quarterback option. McCarthy, a slightly undeveloped draft pick, may gain from spending some time learning under the nine-time Pro Bowler. When it comes to the Broncos’ pursuit of a quarterback solution, nothing is off the table.
