Joel Klatt unveiled his list of the top quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL Draft Monday, and JJ McCarthy was included in the mix.

Ultimately, Klatt slotted McCarthy as No. 5 overall among the top group of QBs available. While Michigan’s national title-winning QB is not included in the same tier as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, Klatt sees some characteristics that are similar.

“McCarthy’s got these kinds of Drake Maye elements where his ceiling is incredibly high. He’s got elements of all 5 tools,” said Klatt. “They flashed at times, and the knock against JJ is that we didn’t have to see it all the time.”

Klatt went on to estimate McCarthy was only tested in 3-7 important passing situations per game at Michigan, well below the numbers for Williams and Michael Penix Jr. at Washington. Williams remains the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and fans can track all the latest draft odds and movement via ESPN Bet.

McCarthy will understandably be asked to throw more frequently at the NFL level, but that’s not an issue Klatt is concerned with. He pointed to McCarthy’s extensive playing time in Ann Arbor, coupled with his knowledge of a pro-style offensive under Jim Harbaugh.

“He will be required to do that more at the NFL level than he was at Michigan. That’s why it’s a bit of a projection, although let’s face it: the guy played a ton of football,” Klatt explained. “He’s 27-1 as a starting QB.

“So, does his game translate? Yes, of course, it translates. He wasn’t running a college offense, he was running Jim Harbaugh’s offense, that is a pro-style offense. He was handling protections, he was handling run checks. All of those things are going to translate.”