JJ McCarthy aims to solidify top-5 pick status, and one ESPN analyst says it's a lock after Pro Day
JJ McCarthy has been among the highest risers during the NFL’s pre-draft process. On Friday, he threw at Michigan’s Pro Day, widely viewed as the final step in solidifying his stock for the draft.
According to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, McCarthy’s Pro Day outing will lock in the quarterback as a top-5 pick, regardless of the final destination in the draft. The wild card in the top 5 picks of the draft is Arizona with the Cardinals committed to Kyler Murray, but Orlovsky expects a team to trade up to the No. 4 slot.
“Realistically, there are 3 teams within 10 picks of that 4th pick that technically need a QB,” said Orlovsky. “…Is 4 rich for JJ McCarthy? Probably. That’s the game in the NFL. Is he likely the 4th-best player in this draft? No, but he is going to go top 5, put it down…
“After today’s Pro Day? Lock top-5 pick.”
.@danorlovsky7 believes J.J. McCarthy’s pro day will lock him in as a top-five pick 🏈 pic.twitter.com/fiILeKZePv
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 22, 2024
To little surprise, Michigan had a massive NFL presence at its Pro Day, and only a portion of that is related to watching McCarthy. 9 general managers and 7 head coaches were in attendance per Jim Nagy, but just 4 quarterback coaches were present in Ann Arbor.
PRO-DAY UPDATE: Only fitting that national champs @UMichFootball, with record 18 Combine invitees, have biggest NFL turnout for pro-day.
Here’s list of NFL attendees who’ll be in Ann Arbor today, including former UM & current Chargers coaches Jim Harbaugh, Jesse Minter, & Ben… pic.twitter.com/ogpVnaJ35V
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 22, 2024
As for McCarthy’s throwing session, ESPN’s Matt Miller said McCarthy threw for around 25 minutes with a clean showing and a lot of zip. McCarthy’s personal goal was demonstrating his touch and placement, something Miller credited McCarthy for doing a good job of.
JJ McCarthy throwing session lasted about 25 minutes. It was clean—just two clear misses. He showcased zip and touch while hitting a lot of deep routes. He told me he wanted to show his touch placement and did well there. McCarthy has easy power and velocity.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 22, 2024
Breaking down the draft odds for McCarthy
Anyone sold on the fact that McCarthy will be a top-5 pick can take advantage of some great value odds at ESPN Bet. As things currently stand, Marvin Harrison Jr. still headlines the odds to be the No. 4 pick at -250 and Malik Nabers leads the No. 5 odds at +175.
For now, it is largely expected that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye will be the first 3 picks in the draft. The odds heavily reflect that, and fans can track all the latest NFL Draft odds with Tradition’s Ohio sports betting links and apps.
As for McCarthy, fans can get Michigan’s QB at +400 as the No. 4 pick in the draft, the spot where Orlovsky and others continue to project teams to trade up with Arizona. McCarthy is also listed at +370 for the No. 5 pick, so there are two chances for fans to get in on the action at a solid value for McCarthy.
With so much certainty among analysts building for McCarthy to be an early pick, now is the time to lock in positive odds before things begin to shift closer to the draft in April.