J.J. McCarthy Says He Spent Most Time with Giants Before 2024 NFL Draft amid Rumors
April 24, 2024
Even though the New York Giants have been eager to say publicly they expect Daniel Jones to be their starting quarterback in 2024, they're also doing a good job of keeping in touch with J.J. McCarthy leading up to the NFL draft.
Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show (h/t NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano), McCarthy said the Giants are the team he has spent the most time with throughout the pre-draft process, including two different meetings with the club.
Rich Eisen Show @RichEisenShowIntrigue and conversations surrounding <a href="https://twitter.com/jjmccarthy09?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jjmccarthy09</a> have been vast pre-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> and the National Championship winner definitely surprised when he said the team he's spent the most time with:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DaBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DaBears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HTTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HTTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForeverNE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForeverNE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltUp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYGiants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYGiants</a> <a href="https://t.co/71Kwd7TwS4">pic.twitter.com/71Kwd7TwS4</a>
It seems more and more likely that McCarthy is going to be the wild card early in the first round. He took an official visit to the Giants' facilities in March.
The Chicago Bears are locked in on Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick. They may already have the draft card with his name filled out, but they have to hold onto it because the draft doesn't officially start until Thursday.
There has been some buzz in recent weeks that the Washington Commanders might prefer McCarthy at No. 2, though Jayden Daniels still seems like the favorite to go in that spot.
McCarthy was part of the group visit Washington held with several prospects, including multiple quarterbacks, last week that included a trip to Topgolf.
Per The Athletic's Chad Graff and Dianna Russini, Drake Maye seems to be the preferred option for the New England Patriots with the third pick.
Once those top three picks are settled, everything comes into play for clubs picking lower that are looking for a quarterback.
The Giants would have the shortest path to move up as owners of the No. 6 overall pick. There's also a chance they could stay where they are and land McCarthy if the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers don't want to trade down, though that seems unlikely given how many teams could attempt to move up.
The Minnesota Vikings (No. 11 and 23), Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) could also have interest in a quarterback.
Based on B/R's NFL scouting department big board, McCarthy is the best available option after Williams, Maye and Daniels come off the board.
One complicating factor for the Giants is ownership. Russini has reported (h/t Dan Benton of Giants Wire) that owner John Mara would be reluctant to sign off on the team trading up for a quarterback one year after giving Jones a four-year, $160 million contract.
Mara did tell reporters at the NFL league meetings in March he "would support" the front office if they "fall in love with a quarterback" and believe it's worth taking the player with the sixth pick or potentially trading up.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have both said they anticipate Jones will be the starter next season.
Until we see what the Giants' approach is in the first round of the draft, though, we won't know who they actually want as their quarterback in 2024.