JJ McCarthy’s status as a Michigan legend is solidified. Now, McCarthy faces the task of improving his NFL Draft stock and trying to carve out a spot as a first-round pick in April.

McCarthy’s status for the draft has received mixed reviews, and that includes ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. who released his first mock for the 2024 Draft on Tuesday. According to Kiper, McCarthy has not yet received a first-round grade though he does give Michigan’s quarterback credit for “first-round arm talent” and an ability to use his legs against the defense.

For now, Kiper still expects a team to take a chance on McCarthy’s upside in the first round with NFL franchises always in need of a star QB. He is currently projected McCarthy to go No. 16 to the Seattle Seahawks in April but admitted a lot can change before April 25.

If that scenario plays out in Kiper’s draft, McCarthy would be the 4th QB selected. However, Kiper included a blurb under his Atlanta Falcons prediction that he reserves the right “to predict Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy to join his former coach” if Atlanta hires Jim Harbaugh. As of now, the Falcons hold the No. 8 pick in the draft.

Here’s what Kiper had to say about the pick if McCarthy goes to the Seahawks:

OK, here’s a spot for the next quarterback. While I don’t have a first-round grade on McCarthy right now — a lot can change before Round 1 on April 25 — he does have first-round arm talent, along with the ability to beat defenses with his legs. He’s the type of quarterback teams will take a shot at in the middle of the first round, especially when you consider he just turned 21 a few days ago. He rarely turns the ball over — he threw 44 touchdown passes and had nine picks over the past two seasons — and can make every throw. McCarthy just wasn’t asked to beat teams with his arm for the Wolverines, because they so often dominated at the line of scrimmage. As of now, I’m betting on a team seeing his upside and trying to take him somewhere in the teens.

JJ McCarthy analysis

McCarthy certainly does not have some of the eye-popping numbers that the other likely first-round QBs have, but a lot of that has to do with Michigan’s system. Overall, he is still a player that progressed each season in college.

This past season, McCarthy set career-high numbers with a 72.3% completion percentage and 9 yards per attempt with 22 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. He also scored 3 rushing touchdowns.

Now, McCarthy will get a chance to boost his stock with a strong NFL Combine and pre-draft performance. He is likely to shine for his athleticism and arm talent after playing in Michigan’s run-first approach during his college career.