Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• While McCarthy flashes a strong for an arm, he battles inconsistencies with ball placement, often forcing his pass-catchers to adjust mid-route, inhibiting YAC potential.
• When airing it out, he struggles with touch and loft, rather than just relying on his arm strength. This sometimes gives DBs (defensive backs) a window to make a play on the ball.
• On tape, against TCU, he's shown a glaring deficiency in throws to the boundary on the right side, hinting at a potential mechanical flaw in his release or footwork.
• His dropbacks sometimes lack the crispness and rhythm, causing him to telegraph throws, especially on out routes, giving corners a jump on the ball.
• Physique-wise, he sports a wiry frame that might raise eyebrows about his ability to take NFL-caliber hits, especially between the tackles or on scrambles.
• His pocket presence needs refinement; while he’s got the wheels to extend plays, he tends to bail from clean pockets rather than stepping up and navigating the pocket with poise.
• His football IQ, while promising, showcases a rawness in reading complex defensive schemes and disguises, a red flag when projecting against NFL defenses.
• Ball velocity is a strength, but he often lasers passes when a softer touch is needed, particularly against layered zone coverages or when dropping it in the bucket over linebackers and in front of safeties.
• As he heads to the pro level, diversifying his route tree and demonstrating a consistent ability to progress through reads will be paramount.
• His pre-snap diagnostics show room for growth; recognizing blitz packages, adjusting protections, and hot-routing will be crucial in the faster-paced, more intricate NFL defensive schemes.

Scouting Report: Summary

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan's junior QB, is really at a crossroads with a tough choice ahead: hit the big leagues in the 2024 NFL Draft or play another year in college. His record's solid - 25 wins and just 1 loss as the main guy under center. His stats? Pretty sharp - threw for over 2,600 yards, nailed 19 TDs, and kept his picks low at four. Plus, he's not just about throwing; the guy can tuck the ball and run, racking up yards and scoring on his feet too.

What stands out with McCarthy is his ability to play both ways - he's got a good arm and he's accurate, making him a real threat in any offense. That's why he's looking like one of the top QB picks, maybe even the best to come out of Michigan in a while.

But here's the catch: because Michigan leans heavy on the run game, there's some chatter about whether McCarthy's had enough reps throwing the ball in big-time situations. He's got all the physical tools, no doubt, but some folks are wondering how he'll adapt to an NFL-style offense that leans more on the pass.

Physically, the guy's in shape, but could bulk up some to handle the rough and tumble of the NFL. He's a bit of a risk-taker on the run, which is something to watch out for. If he can lead Michigan to the top and show up big in those high-stakes games, it's a no-brainer for him to jump into the draft.

In a nutshell: McCarthy's got the talent and the numbers. The big question is how he'll transition to a pass-heavy offense in the pros. If he can beef up a bit and show he can sling it under pressure, he's got the makings of a high pick for any team looking for a quarterback who can do it all.
He has the potential to be a first-day selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, but currently, we slot him in the second-day range.