NFL analyst predicts J.J. McCarthy to Patriots in latest mock draft

The hype around Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy continues to rise a month out from the 2024 NFL Draft.

Once regarded as a second-round pick at best, the 21-year-old signal caller cemented his status as a first-round lock after leading the Wolverines to a national championship earlier this year.

But since the NFL Scouting Combine, McCarthy has continued to see his stock soar among talent evaluators and draft projections — with some tabbing him as a likely top-10 selection next month for a desperate team in need of a quarterback.

The Patriots are one of these teams in search of a future franchise fixture at QB.

But with New England holding onto the No. 3 pick, the consensus for over a month has been that UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels stand in a tier above McCarthy, with both expected to be off the board within the top three selections.

But some of that sentiment seems to be shifting, at least among certain NFL draft analysts.

In his latest NFL mock draft, NFL Media's Bucky Brooks has the Patriots staying at No. 3 — and taking McCarthy as their QB of the future over Maye, who ends up falling all the way to the Vikings at No. 11. 

"Given Tom Brady's success with the Patriots, taking McCarthy — the best quarterback in Michigan history — could be the move for Eliot Wolf," Brooks wrote. "Despite his inexperience as a passer, McCarthy's athleticism, intangibles and winning pedigree could fit Jerod Mayo's profile for a QB1."

Brooks' projections might turn some heads, but plenty of praise has been doled out to McCarthy over the last few weeks.

Even though Brady easily boasts the greatest NFL resume of any QB coming out of Michigan, McCarthy's former coach at Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh, tabbed McCarthy as the best QB in program history.

"I've said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in the University of Michigan - college football history," Harbaugh, who now coaches McCarthy, said after Michigan's Rose Bowl win in January. "Got a long way to go to get to get where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the field when it comes to that."

Speaking on Monday, former Patriots QB and current 98.5 The Sports Hub radio host Scott Zolak also raved about McCarthy's workout tape, especially in regards to his footwork and mechanics. 

"I've watched clips of other guys. … All of McCarthy's drops — 100% full throttle," Zolak said of McCarthy. "Like, it's a go. It's violent dropbacks, spin rates, and getting outside the pocket. He may have the best footwork and feet and weight transfer and mechanics that I've seen in a guy in a couple years.

"I mean, you remember watching Trevor Lawrence and [Justin] Herbert when those guys were coming out — how good they looked in personal workouts. I was ignorant to this kid. And I apologize for that. I think he's in the mix. I do now. I think based on his moxie, the way he holds a room, his leadership qualities, the fact he's a winner — teams like that."

Even though McCarthy (2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions) wasn't exactly the focal point of Michigan's run-first offense in 2023, his arm strength, leadership intangibles, and athleticism might be enough to tempt the Patriots with the No. 3 pick. 

There stands a chance that New England may not even get the chance to pick McCarthy, however. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday from the NFL's annual meeting in Orlando that the Commanders — who hold the No. 2 pick — may have their sights set on McCarthy with their top draft selection.

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