According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, there is some hot discussion surrounding Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
After the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, the focus on the top quarterbacks continues to grow. Mel Kiper Jr., a veteran NFL Draft analyst for ESPN, suggested that Michigan Wolverines’ quarterback JJ McCarthy might have a shot at surpassing UNC’s quarterback Drake Maye as the third-best quarterback in the class.
Mel Kiper suggests JJ McCarthy could potentially overtake Drake Maye as QB3 in the draft pic.twitter.com/awUAtdPDFV
— obvlon (@obvlon) March 8, 2024
Kiper starts by firmly stating that USC’s Caleb Williams holds the top spot among quarterbacks. He then follows up by placing LSU’s Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 based on his opinion.
“The battle between Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy,” Kiper Jr. asserts. He believes it’s a legitimate battle, as the pre-show discussions he had favored JJ McCarthy. Kiper praised McCarthy for his intelligence, toughness, athleticism, and old-school style. He suggests that McCarthy could potentially surpass Drake Maye in the rankings.
Kiper currently projects McCarthy at No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos but entertains the idea of McCarthy going even higher, possibly breaking into the top 10 with scenarios like the Los Angeles Chargers trading their No. 5 pick for a chance to acquire McCarthy.
Fans on X shared their reactions to Kiper’s statements.
This would be insanity. I like McCarthy and I can see teams who run a “Shanahan scheme” having him over Daniels.
But having him over Maye? We’ve reached the crazy season https://t.co/DxQfNOJgax
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) March 8, 2024
“This would be insanity. I like McCarthy and I can see teams who run a “Shanahan scheme” having him over Daniels.
But having him over Maye? We’ve reached the crazy season,” a fan expressed.
Draft can?t come soon enough. This is so exhausting. All of this is just content fluff. Especially from Kiper.
— Nick J (@n1ckjarv1s) March 8, 2024
“Draft can’t come soon enough. This is so exhausting. All of this is just content fluff. Especially from Kiper,” another individual commented.
During the previous season, McCarthy threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions, with 64 rushing attempts for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also maintained a 72.2% pass completion rate.
Maye, on the other hand, completed 63.3% of his passes, achieved 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and carried the ball 112 times for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.
McCarthy stands at 6’3″ while Maye is 6’5″.
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25.
