ESPN's Mel Kiper has a scorching-hot take regarding Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in the rear-view mirror, the discussion surrounding the top quarterbacks will only intensify. Recently, Mel Kiper Jr., the long-time NFL Draft analyst for ESPN, opined that Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy is in contention to supplant UNC's signal-caller Drake Maye as the No. 3 overall quarterback in the class.
Mel Kiper says JJ McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye as QB3 in the draft pic.twitter.com/awUAtdPDFV
— obvlon (@obvlon) March 8, 2024
The clip starts with Kiper Jr. definitively saying USC's Caleb Williams is the No. 1 quarterback. He goes on to say that, in his opinion, LSU's Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels is No. 2.
"Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy is a battle," Kiper Jr. starts. I think that's legitimate. I'm talking this morning to people before the show and all I hear is JJ McCarthy. JJ McCarthy is so smart, so tough, athletic... He's kinda old school... Bottom line is JJ McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye."
He mentioned that he currently has McCarthy slotted at No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos but mentioned the possibility of him going top 10, including the Los Angeles Chargers trading out of the No. 5 pick for a team to come up and get the Michigan man.
Fans on X reacted to Kiper's comments.
This would be insanity. I like McCarthy and I can see teams who run a "Shanahan scheme" having him over Daniels.
But having him over Maye? We've reached crazy season https://t.co/DxQfNOJgax
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) March 8, 2024
"This would be insanity. I like McCarthy and I can see teams who run a "Shanahan scheme" having him over Daniels.
But having him over Maye? We've reached crazy season," one fan wrote.
Draft can?t come soon enough. This is so exhausting. All of this is just content fluff. Especially from Kiper.
— Nick J (@n1ckjarv1s) March 8, 2024
"Draft can't come soon enough. This is so exhausting. All of this is just content fluff. Especially from Kiper," another person said.
This past season, McCarthy threw 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions and ran 64 times for 202 yards and two scores. He also completed 72.2 percent of his passes.
As for Maye, he completed 63.3 percent of his passes, threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and ran 112 times for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.
McCarthy is 6'3", while Maye is 6'5".
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25.
