North Carolina head coach Mack Brown gestures to Tar Heel fans after defeating Duke in an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
In a recent article, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller discussed the shifting draft stocks of quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy from Michigan Wolverines and Drake Maye from North Carolina Tar Heels. Miller highlighted how McCarthy’s stock has risen while Maye’s has declined, with some NFL teams now ranking McCarthy ahead of Maye due to various factors such as McCarthy’s winning record, his potential as a mobile quarterback, and his composure under pressure. Specifically, McCarthy’s impressive performance under pressure last season, where he completed 68% of his passes and averaged 10 yards per attempt, has caught the attention of evaluators.
This upward trajectory in McCarthy’s draft stock has been a notable storyline in the NFL landscape throughout March. Despite initially being ranked fourth among quarterback prospects, behind Maye, Jayden Daniels of LSU Tigers, and Caleb Williams of USC Trojans, McCarthy’s impressive showing has led some to speculate that he could be selected as high as the second overall pick by the Washington Commanders.
Dan Orlovsky, ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback, has contributed to the discussion by suggesting that Daniels, not Williams, is the top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class. Others have also weighed in, indicating that Maye might benefit from sitting out his rookie season to refine aspects of his game, particularly his footwork.
Orlovsky recently praised Maye’s improved footwork during a pro day workout, suggesting that Maye has made strides in his development. However, despite Orlovsky’s positive assessment, some analysts, like Ryan Wilson and Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, still predict that Maye will be the third quarterback drafted, after Williams and Daniels, on draft night.
Despite differing opinions among analysts, the possibility of McCarthy being selected early in the draft remains a topic of discussion. New Commanders general manager Adam Peters could be particularly interested in McCarthy’s potential, given his success and accolades in college football.
The fluctuation in draft stocks underscores the unpredictability of the NFL Draft and the varying opinions among experts. As the draft approaches, the speculation surrounding McCarthy and Maye’s draft positions will likely continue, with fans eagerly awaiting the final decisions made by NFL teams.
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