The last time we read about ESPN’s 2024 NFL Draft rankings from Jordan Reid, we found out that the No. 1 prospect wasn’t a quarterback — it was Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who seems like a generational talent.
That wasn’t the biggest of surprises, given that teams draft for need and not always for talent. In the latest mock from our Christian D’Andrea, he has a quarterback at the top of the draft in North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
But Reid has Harrison at the top again in his draft rankings, along with four QBs in the top 30: Maye, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels … and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy at No. 30:
McCarthy will be one of the most talked about prospects in this draft cycle. In a Michigan offense that leans on the run and incorporates play-action principles, he only reached 25 or more passing attempts in 12 of his 28 career starts. Scouts wanted to see more. That said, McCarthy displayed ball placement, anticipation and mobility when he has been allowed to throw the ball, outside of an uncharacteristically poor three-interception performance against Bowling Green early last season. His 88.2 QBR and 72.3% completion percentage were both top-six numbers in the country in 2023.
Make sure to check out Christian D’Andrea’s latest NFL mock draft.
