The former quarterback for Michigan football, J.J. McCarthy, is going a different path and will throw and engage in other workouts, while some of the best prospects in the 2024 NFL draft have declined to participate in some of the activities or show up completely.

McCarthy still has more to prove, according to some, and they would be correct. Despite leading the Wolverines to a national championship and going 27-1 as a starter, the legendary Michigan football player’s skill level is still questioned, particularly among casual fans.

NFL teams are aware of what they would be getting in J.J. McCarthy, so they are not casualties. Since the very beginning summer, I was talking about McCarthy as a top-10 pick. Now, he’s right in that range. CBS Sports projected him to the Vikings at No. 11 recently.

Yet, ESPN has McCarthy just a little bit lower, at least according to the new Mini NFL mock draft (top 12 picks) put out by Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr.

The ESPN Mock Draft has the Michigan football quarterback projected to go 12th to the Denver Broncos which be a good fit. In the same way that McCarthy may help the Vikings move past Kirk Cousins, the Broncos need a young quarterback to help them move past Russell Wilson.

McCarthy has ties to the Falcons, Seahawks, Jets, and Bears, but primarily because they are quarterback needs. However, what if the Bears chose McCarthy at No. 10 and Marvin Harrison Jr. with the first overall pick?

If I were Chicago, I would endeavor to accomplish that. But then again, McCarthy’s best days are ahead of him, so similarly with Jim Harbaugh, I might rank him #1.