For weeks, draft analysts have pinned Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels as the top-three quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. But one other name on the list is gaining steam to potentially make it a four-player race, and that player is former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Per NFL insider Albert Breer, the Patriots were one of three teams that had a lengthy meeting with McCarthy at his pro day in Ann Arbor.
The other teams involved were the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
McCarthy’s draft stock has been on the rise in recent weeks with multiple mock drafts predicting the Minnesota Vikings trading up into the top-five to acquire him.
Ahead of his Friday Pro Day, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy had lengthy meetings Thursday in Ann Arbor with 3 teams—the Patriots, Seahawks and Commanders. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald was with McCarthy at Michigan in 2021.
McCarthy's been excellent in that setting, meeting with teams.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 25, 2024
Many have assumed the Patriots will take whoever is left over between Williams, Maye and Daniels. But could they shock the world and throw a huge monkey wrench in draft plans by taking McCarthy instead with the No. 3 overall pick?
Anything is possible for a rebuilding Patriots team unafraid to keep and weigh every option on the table.