Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels opened with the shortest odds to be the top three selections in the 2024 NFL draft, but JJ McCarthy is crashing that conversation.
Fresh off leading Michigan to a national title, McCarthy has climbed up draft boards for some teams in need of a quarterback, and oddsmakers are adjusting. DraftKings has McCarthy at +125 in NFL draft odds to fall outside of the top five and get selected with the sixth pick or higher.
His odds to go No. 2 overall have shortened considerably to +750 at DraftKings, but he still trails Daniels (-290) and Maye (+220) as the most likely quarterbacks to go after Williams, whom sportsbooks have as a heavy favorite to be the first overall pick.
Below, we take a look at the shift in JJ McCarthy’s draft odds, with a look at which teams online sportsbooks consider to be most likely to target the Michigan product.
JJ McCarthy 2024-25 team odds
- Minnesota Vikings: +140
- New York Giants: +275
- Denver Broncos: +320
- New England Patriots: +350
- Washington Commanders: +850
- Los Angeles Chargers: +900
- Las Vegas Raiders: +1300
- Seattle Seahawks: +1800
Draft odds for McCarthy
Teams favored to draft JJ McCarthy
By showcasing a strong arm at his pro day, McCarthy started to gain steam on draft boards. While the run-first Wolverines offense didn’t ask him to pass often, the 6-foot-3 signal-caller seems to be capable of executing a pro-style offense. His leadership, mechanics, and intangibles might make him attractive to pro teams, but he lacks mobility and athleticism compared to some of the other top prospects at his position.
Still, McCarthy has received an invite to the NFL draft while Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. did not, indicating that McCarthy is ahead of them in terms of draft projections.
Minnesota Vikings (+140)
A month ago, the Vikings were the favorites to take McCarthy at nearly even money. Since Minnesota is selecting 11th overall, and McCarthy has gained steam on most draft boards, those odds are slightly longer now that the Vikings might have to trade up for his services. The Chargers might be willing to trade the No. 5 pick considering they’re set at quarterback with Justin Herbert. By moving down, the Chargers could still likely draft one of the top three available receivers (Marvin Harrison, Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers).
New York Giants (+275)
The Giants are picking sixth overall and just extended Daniel Jones to a multi-year extension, but they still could end up targeting one of the top four quarterbacks. Arizona might be willing to trade out of the No. 4 spot to give the Giants a crack at McCarthy or Maye, depending on which QB slips out of the top three. The Giants are getting the fourth-shortest odds (+700) to take Bo Nix out of Oregon.
Denver Broncos (+320)
The Broncos may also end up looking at Nix if they decide to use their No. 12 overall pick on a passer. Grabbing McCarthy might require a trade into the top 10, which could make some members of the Denver front office nervous considering how much draft capital they expended to trade for Russell Wilson two seasons ago. While Denver is clearly in need of a quarterback after missing out on free agent targets Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, its odds to draft McCarthy have lengthened from +350 to +750 over the past month.
New England Patriots (+350)
A certain quarterback from Michigan changed the fortunes of this franchise in 2000, turning the Patriots into the biggest dynasty in modern sports history. Could McCarthy wind up going No. 3 overall as the successor to Tom Brady? Chatter from Patriots beat writers indicates the front office is starting to lean toward McCarthy over Maye, and it’s possible they won’t have a chance to take Daniels or Williams. This speculation has moved McCarthy from +550 to +205 or shorter for the Patriots to select him.
Washington Commanders (+850)
There are few indicators that the Commanders would take McCarthy with the No. 2 overall pick. Jayden Daniels is the favorite to go in that spot as Washington continues to rebuild. McCarthy would not offer a significantly different skill set from Sam Howell, the franchise’s current starter.
Las Vegas Raiders (+1300)
The Raiders rolled with Aidan O’Connell in a run-first offense last season and signed veteran Gardner Minshew to potentially take the reins this year. If Vegas decides to use the No. 13 overall pick or trade up for a quarterback, one potential target is southpaw Michael Penix Jr. The franchise has also been linked to South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler.
