In recent months, the most commonly agreed upon top three prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft have consistently been Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye. Williams is anticipated to be chosen first overall, with Daniels and Maye competing for the second and third picks. Consequently, the New England Patriots, who hold the third pick, have been widely presumed to select one of these two players.
Nevertheless, a recent mock draft has proposed a different scenario for the Patriots. While they are still expected to pick a quarterback, it’s not among the previously mentioned top prospects. Instead, they are projected to select JJ McCarthy.
The New England Patriots Choosing JJ McCarthy?
In Ryan Wilson’s recent mock draft for CBS Sports, McCarthy’s draft stock has risen significantly, with him being projected as high as the third overall pick to the Patriots.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine, McCarthy was considered a mid to late first-round selection. However, following impressive performances that caught the attention of scouts and evaluators, there’s a growing belief that he will be selected earlier. CBS Sports’ decision to place McCarthy so high reflects their confidence in his abilities.
Wilson mentioned that McCarthy exhibits similar traits to those displayed by CJ Stroud, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, during last year’s combine. Given the success it brought to Houston, Wilson suggests that McCarthy could experience a similar outcome.
“JJ McCarthy stands out as one of the most divisive prospects in this group, and I’ll admit, I had reservations about his worthiness of a first-round selection. Not because he lacks talent (his athleticism and arm strength are notable), but because his role in Michigan’s offense was somewhat limited,” argued Wilson.
“However, if you examine his performance on third downs with distances of 6 to 10 yards, he completed an impressive 73% of his passes—many of which were NFL-caliber throws—with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Furthermore, our interaction with him at the combine revealed undeniable charisma and leadership qualities. I understand there may be skepticism, but I’ll emphasize this: when we spoke to C.J. Stroud at the combine last year, those same qualities were glaringly evident, and they certainly contributed to his remarkable rookie season.”
This high praise for McCarthy highlights his exceptional performance in the combine. It suggests that he might be considered for the third pick by the Patriots. It wouldn’t be unexpected if McCarthy, the standout from Michigan Wolverines, is selected earlier than initially anticipated.
Although the New England Patriots haven’t announced their pick yet, there’s significant speculation linking them to Jayden Daniels, the standout from LSU and Heisman winner.
Before Bill Belichick left, there were reports suggesting that the legendary head coach had his eye on Daniels for the draft. Despite his departure, the Patriots continue to show interest in the talented young player.
Numerous mock drafts have also linked the Patriots with Daniels, suggesting that the 23-year-old appears to be an ideal match for the team. Apart from needing improvement in his physique, there are few criticisms of his playing style. Daniels’ precision in passing has even received high praise from Dan Orlovsky.
However, the main concern for the Patriots is whether Daniels will still be available at the third pick. With the Washington Commanders selecting second and also in need of a quarterback, New England might not have the opportunity to draft him.
Nevertheless, as Wilson mentioned, JJ McCarthy could be a solid option for Jerod Mayo and his team.
