Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is likely one of the largest risers all through this 12 months’s predraft course of, however could he find yourself as a top-four choose?
Although such a state of affairs might sound outlandish, it is attainable it could come to fruition, in line with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. During an look on “The Athletic Football Show,” Russini — who was on-site at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine — reported that quarterbacks could come off the board with the primary 4 picks in April’s draft.
“I had a very smart general manager tell me [they could see quarterbacks going Nos.] 1, 2, 3 [and] 4,” Russini mentioned.
USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and McCarthy are seen because the consensus high 4 quarterbacks on this 12 months’s draft. Williams is predicted to be chosen by the Chicago Bears with the primary general choose, whereas Maye and Daniels are believed to be within the combine for the second and third general selections. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots — two groups that could profit from upgrading at quarterback — maintain the second and third picks, respectively.
However, there’s been loads of buzz surrounding potential motion close to the highest of the draft. The Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are among the many groups reportedly interested in buying and selling up for a top-three choose to land a quarterback.
If both a type of groups can’t commerce up or Chicago, Washington or New England determine to not transfer down, maybe a bidding conflict for Arizona’s fourth choose breaks out, which might align with Russini’s report.
The Cardinals don’t have any purpose to draft a quarterback, as Kyler Murray is underneath contract by the 2028 season, however could profit from holding onto the No. 4 choose. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr., arguably the highest prospect within the draft and could be out there, and Arizona lacks a high quality No. 1 goal for Murray.
Even so, if a staff is prepared to pay a premium for the fourth choose and Arizona could nonetheless transfer right down to a spot the place it could choose a wideout, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort must contemplate buying and selling again. Depending on the return, it would not be surprising to see Ossenfort strike one other deal to maneuver down within the draft, particularly since he did so final 12 months.
If these occasions unfold, the Los Angeles Chargers, who maintain the fifth general choose, can be one of many largest winners of the draft come April. While Chargers play-by-play announcer Matt “Money” Smith not too long ago floated the concept Los Angeles could commerce again within the draft, it appears unlikely the staff would move up the chance to pair Harrison with QB Justin Herbert.
Four signal-callers being chosen with the highest 4 picks of the draft can be unprecedented. In reality, the report for many quarterbacks taken within the high 10 of a single draft is 4, which occurred in each 1949 and 2018. Nonetheless, with as a lot quarterback expertise because the 2024 draft has and the shortage of it within the 2025 class, we’d see history be made on April 25.
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