Buccaneers Predicted to Add ‘Immense Arm Talent’ as Potential Starting QB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could soon be on the search for a new quarterback.
As predicted by CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards in his 2024 NFL Mock Draft, he projects the Buccaneers to select University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the eighth overall pick. Edwards writes about how Baker Mayfield is not likely the future franchise quarterback for Tampa Bay. With that in mind, they end up selecting one of the top quarterbacks in next year’s draft class in McCarthy.
“Baker Mayfield is not likely the future of the Buccaneers so they make a move to take a player with a big month ahead,” writes Edwards. “Two of Michigan’s next three games are against No. 10 Penn State and No. 1 Ohio State.”
J.J. McCarthy Considered ‘Immense Arm Talent’
Based upon Edwards’ projections, McCarthy would be the third quarterback picked behind Caleb Williams at No. 1 and Drake Maye at No. 2.
As Crissy Froyd of The Sporting News writes, McCarthy is an “immense arm talent” who possesses proper mechanics and football IQ.
“He couples that immense arm talent with the velocity to give his receivers a chance when throwing the ball into tight windows, good timing on routes with his receivers, anticipation, soundness in mechanics and going through progressions, and football IQ to understand what’s happening while consistently making the right decisions,” writes Froyd.
McCarthy has completed 75.7% of his passes to go along with 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season while leading the Michigan Wolverines to a 9-0 record and a No. 2 ranking in the AP Polls. McCarthy’s completion percentage not only ranks first in the Big Ten but it ranks No. 3 in the country. Furthermore, he leads the Big Ten in passer efficiency rating (188.7) and yards per attempt (10.4).