J.J. McCarthy Prospect Deep Dive: A Pleasant Surprise Who Could Slip Into The First

When I first watched J.J. McCarthy on broadcast view in 2022, I didn’t expect him to be an actual draft prospect this year. However, he has shown remarkable improvement, and his all-22 film surprised me in a good way. With an NFL-caliber arm, decent mobility, and stellar all-around accuracy, you can see why he might go in the first round. Drafting McCarthy has some downsides, as he doesn’t have the best pocket presence and can make some errant throws. Ultimately, the most important traits are there, and as long as his surrounding cast is solid, he has a shot at being a stud QB.

Five all-22 games and his highlights were evaluated, and clips from his film are broken down here. All relevant traits were graded based on his film. His scouting report also factored in stats and analytics, such as PFF grades. Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

QB Stats

Film Analysis

J.J. McCarthy shows impressive play extension ability in the clip above. First, he recognizes the blitz and evades the pressure; then, he makes a throw across his body with perfect accuracy.

In this clip, McCarthy flashes high-end pocket presence and makes another perfect throw on the move. He doesn’t always do this, but it’s nice to know it’s in him.

He displays athleticism and toughness on this designed run. It’s a read option, and he makes the proper read, which allows him to take the corner and use his speed to get the TD.

McCarthy makes a very tough throw on the money right before taking a massive hit. This kind of poise in the pocket will tremendously benefit him in the pros.

Grades

OVR Grade: 1-100

Traits/ Skills

(Grades are subject to change until draft day.)

J.J. McCarthy’s Pros and Cons

J.J. McCarthy Bio

• With an outstanding arm and good mobility, J.J. McCarthy is what teams in the modern league value. He can be a winning QB in the pros if paired with the proper team, just like he’s been at Michigan.

Pros

• Arm capable of hitting Receivers 60+ yards downfield and has the velocity to fit the ball into tight windows.
• Goes through reads relatively quickly and plays within the rhythm of the offense.
• Exceptional poise in the pocket.
• Accuracy drastically improved from 2022 to 2023 and is now a significant strength of his.
• Confident enough to regularly take shots but will also take the check downs – plus decision making.
• Plenty of athleticism to be used in the design run game.
• Mechanics and footwork were generally good.
• Accuracy on throws outside the pocket is excellent.
• Toughness and character are there.

Cons

• Tries to fit passes into tight windows more than you’d like.
• Lean frame could lead to injuries down the road and affect his comfort in the pocket.
• Had a terrific surrounding cast, which will likely be different in the pros.
• Inconsistent pocket presence, as he would occasionally bail clean pockets and step into sacks.

Combine – TBD

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Pro Day – TBD

40 yd:

Ten yd:

Shuttle:

Three cone:

Broad Jump:

Vertical:

Bench:

Arm length:

Hand Size:

All-22 Exposures

• Iowa, 2022
• Ohio State, 2022
• Michigan State, 2023
• Minnesota, 2023
• Rutgers, 2023

Final conclusion on J.J. McCarthy

While J.J. McCarthy may not have that innate it factor like C.J. Stroud, they have similar traits and play styles. McCarthy will probably never be elite, nor is he this sure thing, so don’t expect him to go too high. I just see a young QB with impressive physical traits starting to come along mentally, which warrants a mid-late first-rounder.

It’s not like he’ll go somewhere picking high, so he likely ends up with a competent surrounding cast. If so, watch out for this kid, as all signs indicate he’s a hardworking and quality character. I love nothing in football more than when a player proves me wrong, and McCarthy was one of the biggest surprises on film from my time evaluating players. He’s the kind of guy I like to root for, and let’s all just hope he gets a fair shot.