An interesting trade proposal has a quarterback-needy AFC team moving up to select Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy in next month’s NFL Draft.
Most are projecting USC’s Caleb Williams to be the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears, with the Washington Commanders taking LSU’s Jayden Daniels (this year’s Heisman Trophy winner) or North Carolina’s Drake Maye at No. 2.
If the New England Patriots aren’t keen on a QB there at No. 3, there’s a good chance they’ll trade the pick to a team wanting whoever remains between Daniels and Maye.
The second tier of 2024 NFL quarterback prospects features McCarthy, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix. There’s a good chance that each of those guys will be taken by a team who moved up to draft them.
In his latest mock draft at NFL.com, Lance Zierlein has such a scenario playing out for the Michigan QB. Zierlein projects the Denver Broncos to trade up into the No. 9 spot via the Bears to take Wilson, with Chicago moving down to the No. 12 spot:
“With Russell Wilson on his way out, the Broncos dive head-first back into the quarterback market by moving up a few spots and grabbing a young signal-caller with plenty of upside for Sean Payton to mold.”
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The Broncos certainly make sense as a landing spot for McCarthy, a polarizing prospect who would likely get the starting job right away in Mile High City.
Though McCarthy’s stats as a passer weren’t eye-popping, many will note that he didn’t have to do too much on a Michigan team with an elite defense and star running back Blake Corum.
The 21-year-old McCarthy completed 72.3 percent of pass attempts for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns against four interceptions, leading the Wolverines to the school’s first national championship since 1997.
Regardless of how one feels about McCarthy, he’s a safe bet to go in the first round due to the high number of teams needing a new quarterback.
Also Read: J.J. McCarthy Gets Compared To Elite NFL Quarterback Ahead Of 2024 Draft
