For weeks, there were thought to be three clear elite quarterback prospects in this year’s NFL draft: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

But lately, J.J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan has seen his stock rise.

One reason why is his performance at Pro Day on Friday, where he showed off his arm strength and passing ability, per the NFL’s official Twitter account.

His performance had fans buzzing.

JJ McCarthy letting it fly to Blake Corum at @UMichFootball's Pro Day

(via Mak Issa)pic.twitter.com/Lc8itYqK1s

— NFL (@NFL) March 22, 2024

@Vikings come get your guy

—



(@Rondeezie_) March 22, 2024

JJ McCarthy just did it

— Mikaela Ross (@MikaelaRossy) March 22, 2024

looks like a viking to me

— E̷d̷w̷i̷n̷ (@IMissWinning) March 22, 2024

That Josh Allen 2.0

— Ashton Megna (@MegnaAshton) March 22, 2024

McCarthy led Michigan to the College Football Playoff National Championship title this past season, but he threw for just 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns, and those numbers simply don’t seem elite.

He also isn’t a prolific runner either — he notched just 202 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in 2023.

But it seems as if McCarthy is starting to establish himself as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in next month’s draft.

One thing to remember is that Jim Harbaugh, McCarthy’s head coach at Michigan, loves to run the football, and thus McCarthy wasn’t asked to do as much with his arm as other QBs are asked to do.

McCarthy did complete 72.3 percent of his pass attempts in 2023, which should certainly help his case.

There are persistent rumors that the Minnesota Vikings, who have the No. 11 pick, are looking to trade up in order to take McCarthy.

The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins, their previous QB1, in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, and they could be a capable quarterback away from returning to the playoffs.

Perhaps their best shot at trading up would be doing a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, who are at No. 4 and already have two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray under center.

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