Scott Zolak: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy is ‘Mac Jones 2.0’
Scott Zolak was locked in on television coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend in Indianapolis. More specifically, the quarterback portion of events, as it is widely believed that the Patriots will look to add a signal caller with the 3rd overall pick in next month’s draft. Zo had plenty of thoughts on all of the QB’s who threw this weekend, including J.J. McCarthy out of the University of Michigan, as he continues to climb up draft boards everywhere.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after the 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
‘Top-10 pick, my ass!”
“The biggest thing I’d take away- I would not reach for J.J. McCarthy. I would not. Like people say, he’s going up the boards, and could be a top 10 pick. Top-10 pick, my ass. You’re nuts if you take him in the top ten. I’m gonna say it- he just reminds me a little bit of Mac Jones. The whole thing. The way he moves around, the way he jumps up the hip bumps, the high fives. Doing the interviews. He looks like the All-American part. You know what I mean? He carries himself well.”
“I’m talking about watching him throw on air in a structured environment where you just drop it straight back three and five step drops. And I’ve seen Mac do that and he doesn’t overwhelm you. And I say that because he doesn’t overwhelm me with power on the throw. Like you watch Tennessee QB Joe] Milton rip couple those deep outs. I don’t see that with McCarthy.”
“Just a little stiff in the drop. They’re retweeting all his throws like “oh, look at him lighting it up.” Balls on the back shoulder, balls on the back hip. Those be knocked down. Balls aren’t out in front on time. That Leary kid [Kentucky QB Devin Leary]. I thought they were the best. And [Washington QB Michael] Penix in the second group, Leary and Penix are the two quarterbacks that that decided to throw.”
LISTEN: Zo and Phil Perry share their thoughts on the quarterbacks who threw at the Combine
Most impressive player at each position at the 2024 NFL Combine
Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wide receivers and quarterbacks celebrate during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 NFL Combine took place over the last four days, from late last week into the weekend. Over 300 prospects from the 2024 NFL Draft were in Indianapolis to meet with teams and undergo medical testing. The majority of those players also took part in on-field workouts.
Those on-field workouts can be very helpful as teams set their draft boards. While they won’t make or break a player’s stock, they certainly can be used as tie-breakers when teams are having trouble sorting out a group of players they see as being comparable.
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When it comes to the Patriots, those kinds of observations will be important. Two key positions for the Patriots in this draft are wide receiver and offensive line. Both will likely be addressed in the top 100, where the projections are crowded at both positions.
Of course the Patriots will be making more than just those two picks. They have needs up and down the roster, so we’ll track standouts at every position. For more on players at each group, the individual daily breakdowns from that day are linked with each player.
QB Michael Penix, Washington
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Penix did what he needed to do on Saturday delivering sharp, accurate throws and impressing during the deep ball portion of the events. But he really won the Combine before he even took the field, getting “positive reviews” when it comes to his medical testing. For a player who had four season-ending injuries in six college seasons, that’s big.
RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Isaac Guerendo #RB12 of Louisville participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Not only did Guerendo post the best 40 time (4.33 seconds), vertical jump (41.5 inches) and second-best broad jump (10-foot-9-inches), but he did so as one of the biggest backs at the Combine at 6-foot, 221 pounds. Guerendo moved well laterally during on-field drills as well. He came into the Combine projected as a Late Day 3 pick, but his stock will almost certainly rise after his workout.
Texas wide receivers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Xavier Worthy #WO40 of Texas participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Horns were certainly up in Indy on Saturday night. Two Longhorn receivers grabbed all the headlines, so they’re going to have to split the nod here.
Xavier Worthy grabbed all the headlines. His 4.21 40 set a new event record. That was it for him for the day.
Meanwhile, AD Mitchell had arguably the best all-around performance of any player in Indy. After checking in at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds Mitchell tested through the roof with his 4.35-second 40, 39.5-inch vertical, and 11-foot-4-inch broad jump. That was followed by a great run of the gauntlet. To top the day off he got a bad throw on an over-the-shoulder drill, but managed to make a great adjustment to secure the catch. Not only did he likely solidify himself as a first round pick, but may have pushed his way into the top-15 conversation.
TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State tight end Theo Johnson (TE07) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most impressive size/athleticism combos was from Johnson, who received a perfect 10 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his initial numbers. At 6-foot-6, 259 pounds he ran a 4.57-second 40 (second among all tight ends) with a 1.55-second split, plus a 39.5-inch vertical (second among tight ends) and 10-foot-5-inch broad jump (also second). Johnson was projected as an early Day 3 pick after a strong Senior Bowl, and his stock will likely continue to rise coming out of the Combine.
OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Troy Fautanu #OL19 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Fautanu won the day before he even stepped on the field. There were questions about whether or not his arm length would hit the 33-inch threshold the NFL uses to distinguish between tackles and guards, but he measured in at 34 1/2 inches at 6-foot-3, 317 pounds. On the field, he cruised through on-field drills.
DL Braden Fiske, Florida State
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske (DL07) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Fiske may end up going a bit high for the Patriots – he’s currently projected as a mid-Day 2 pick – but he was so dominant it would feel wrong to not include him. Not only did Fiske post the best numbers among all defensive tackles in the 40 (4.78 seconds), vertical (33.5″), and broad jump (9’9″) at 6-foot-4, 292 pounds, but also was excellent in the on-field drills. That performance, after a strong Senior Bowl, should keep Fiske’s stock skyrocketing.
EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Dallas Turner #LB26 of Alabama participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The latest freak athlete pass rusher coming out of Alabama, Turner ran a 4.46 40 and had a 40.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds then cruised through on-field drills. He has made a very strong case to be the first defensive player of the board this year.
LB Payton Wilson
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Payton Wilson #LB30 of North Carolina State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Wilson showed next-level explosiveness at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds. His movements in the open field looked effortless, and his ability to change direction without losing momentum is something teams will target in modern linebackers.
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Quinyon Mitchell #DB27 of Toledo participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Coming from playing the MAC, the combine was a great chance for Mitchell to show how he measures up against Power 5 players – and he measured up very well. Mitchell ran the second-best 40 (4.33 seconds) among cornerbacks then put up 20 reps on the bench, leading the position. He continues to check all the boxes after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl.
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson #DB64 of Texas Tech participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
If the Patriots are looking for a player with more free safety experience, Taylor-Demerson fits the bill and had a good showing in Indianapolis. He paced all players at the position with a 4.41-second 40, and showed true range in the on-field drills. He’s projected to go later on Day 3.
