Tom Pelissero of NFL Network dropped an absolute bombshell Monday afternoon when he talked through what the Commanders would likely do at the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. J.J. McCarthy was reportedly the most likely pick for the Commanders based on what he'd been hearing from coaches and general managers at the owners meetings in Florida this week.
Instantly, analysts and fans from around the NFL reacted. Apparently not too many people would be fond of the move.
Alex Wilson, founder of Empire Sports Media in New York made it clear. He would love Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye to fall to the Giants at pick six if the Commanders did indeed select J.J. McCarthy.
Do it, Commanders... DO IT. Drake or Jayden dropping to the Giants would feed families. https://t.co/YrTDxgc3d9
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) March 25, 2024
Fans of every NFL team around the country began to chime in, confidently projecting failure for J.J. McCarthy if the Commanders were to select him at pick two.
In 3 years the Commanders will be looking for another QB and still wondering why they suck https://t.co/g5ZWKb4lsi
— STTDB-WHO DAT-LETS DANCE (@LSU_allday504) March 25, 2024
Fans of the Commanders even hijacked a post from the official team account on X (Twitter) to make sure the team knew they did not want J.J. McCarthy as the second overall selection in the NFL Draft.
31 days to go ️#MockDraftMonday | https://t.co/gEhmSaVjaH pic.twitter.com/c4rrLhxyGW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 25, 2024
It is just one report that J.J. McCarthy could be selected at pick two. And it could very well be a smokescreen to help the Commanders generate a potential trade package to move down with the Vikings or some other NFL franchise. But as discussed earlier this week and just today, J.J. McCarthy might not be a bad pick at all if he goes second overall.
McCarthy truthfully had some of the most impressive rate stats among all quarterbacks in the nation last fall, despite criticisms regarding his overall passing volume. When I asked him about his decision-making and how he was so efficient at the NFL Combine, this is what McCarthy had to say:
JJ McCarthy on what makes him so efficient and how he makes such good decisions. #NFLCombine
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) March 1, 2024
Also mentioned loving his formal meetings with the #Raiders, #Broncos, and #Patriots. pic.twitter.com/zsfyx8qp92
After talking with McCarthy a bit more on his process as a quarterback it was clear to me that he has the ideal mental makeup to be a first round franchise quarterback. And when you mix in his stellar passing profile last fall where he finished top five in completion rate, passer rating, QBR, total adjusted net yards per pass attempt, and EPA per play McCarthy is obviously a top tier prospect.
The rest of the world may be attacking the Washington Commanders for their potential interest in J.J. McCarthy, but in the end he might just be a phenomenal selection at second overall.
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