Mel Kiper on Michigan football QB: ‘J.J. McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye’

After an “amazing” performance at the NFL combine, former Michigan football starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s NFL draft stock is soaring.

Just a few weeks ago, McCarthy was barely being projected as a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. But earlier this week, one mock draft had McCarthy going in the top three to the New England Patriots. Yet, according to Kel Miper Jr., his ceiling could be even higher than that.

Drake Maye has been thought of by many to be the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft behind Caleb Williams who is still expected to go No. 1.

Michigan football QB J.J. McCarthy can pass Drake Maye

But according to what Kiper said on a podcast with Thor Nystrom, the Michigan football legend is threatening to pass Maye in the QB pecking order.

Mel Kiper: “I talk this morning to people… all I hear is JJ McCarthy. Bottom line is: JJ McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye.”

pic.twitter.com/ehQDwz8KFH

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) March 8, 2024

“Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy, that’s a battle,” Kiper said. “I’m talking this morning to people and all I hear is J.J. McCarthy. He’s so smart. So tough. Athletic. He’s kind of an old-school quarterback. Bottom line, J.J. McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye.”

Kiper indicated that Jayden Daniels is now trending as the No. 2 pick, so this would fall in line with the CBS Sports projection of McCarthy to the Patriots at No. 3.

However, after his performance at the combine, it seems like McCarthy could work his way into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick, just like Jim Harbaugh predicted.

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