Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy held his 2024 NFL Draft pro day Friday, and, by most accounts, he impressed. The New York Giants, who hold the sixth overall pick in the first round, are one of the teams with a rumored interest in the surging McCarthy, but they may want to take a lesson from the New York Jets in what not to fall in love with from his workout.
McCarthy ended his pro day with a dazzling 65-yard cross-body throw reminiscent of the pass Zach Wilson launched during his pro day in 2021. Wilson was the second overall pick that year.
Check out J.J. McCarthy's pass:
JJ McCarthy doing the "Zach Wilson" at his Pro Day is going to get someone fired.
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) March 22, 2024
pic.twitter.com/3o9mMk91wP
Now take a look at Wilson's throw, which all but cemented his standing as QB2 behind Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL Draft:
The throw that scammed us all 😂#ZachWilson #NYJ #TakeFlight #NFL #Jets🛩️ pic.twitter.com/swOLPUDJaT
— 𝙅 (@JJetsX) March 18, 2024
MORE: J.J. McCarthy pro day results
Eerily similar.
McCarthy's pro day shouldn't be ignored, however. Some NFL Draft analysts suggest he's no longer just the QB4 in the 2024 NFL Draft; he could leapfrog Drake Maye (North Carolina) or Jayden Daniels (LSU) for QB3. And for as much as those Zach Wilson jokes will be made, throws like the one above will catch the eye of general managers and quarterback coaches. They do help prospects move up the board despite plenty of cautionary tales.
The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on April 25. J.J. McCarthy won't wait long to hear his name called, and perhaps, he'll turn one of these incredible pro day passes into actual on-field success for a New York team.
