J.J. McCarthy linked to Commanders in surprising 2024 NFL Draft twist
NY Post
Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels may not be the only quarterbacks in the mix for the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With NFL personnel gathering in Orlando, Fla., for the annual league meetings this week, a “popular” theory being speculated amongst team execs is that the Commanders — who hold the second-overall pick in next month’s draft — will select former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, NFL Network reported Monday.
“Everybody’s always trying to figure out, especially at the top of the draft, what the other teams are doing. When I’ve had conversations here, with executives from other teams who know [first-year Washington general manager] Adam Peters well, know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy,” NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero said.
It would be quite the turn of events as Maye and Daniels, the former quarterbacks at North Carolina and LSU, respectively, have long been linked to the top of the draft board behind USC standout Caleb Williams, who is widely expected to be taken No. 1 by the Bears.
Draft smokescreens are prevalent this time of year, so it’s hard to speculate how legitimate the whispers are.
McCarthy, fresh off a national championship win with the Wolverines alongside new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, has seen his stock steadily rise in recent weeks.
Any and every NFL draft is replete with questions about needs and priorities and rankings and roster construction, with the status of the general manager and the head coach (are they secure or are they on the hot seat?) and the forecast for the franchise all weaving their way into the many potential scenarios.