Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy has long been viewed as the clear No. 4 quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft, but the perception may be changing as next week’s draft approaches.

Speaking to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, an anonymous NFC assistant coach expressed their belief that McCarthy could be the third quarterback off the board rather than the fourth:

“The more I watched J.J. and was around J.J., the more he grew on me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the third quarterback taken. He’s by far the most pro-readymade QB because of him being with [former Michigan and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim] Harbaugh, being in a pro-style system, operating under center, communicating the play call. He crushed the combine interview. It was easy. Super smart. Communicates well. Super calm demeanor. Quiet confidence almost. His pro day was probably the best of all the QBs.”

USC’s Caleb Williams seems locked in as the No. 1 overall pick to the Chicago Bears. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots also need quarterbacks at Nos. 2 and 3 overall, respectively, and it sounds as though McCarthy has possibly entered the conversation surrounding those picks alongside LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

McCarthy led the Wolverines to an undefeated record and a national championship last season, but his numbers left something to be desired in a run-first offense, as he completed 72.3 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions.

The pre-draft process has aided McCarthy significantly but an NFC coordinator told Pelissero that they believe McCarthy’s meteoric rise is primarily a result of NFL coaches now getting a chance to watch his college tape:

“I feel like a lot of people are putting stock in J.J. moving up from pro day and things that have happened lately. I think it’s having a lot more from coaches finally getting around to watching his tape. Because I don’t think scouts are going to be as enamored with him. I think they’re going to really like him, but scouts like the tools, right? They like the size, the mobility, the arm talent, the ‘wow.’

“A lot of your coordinators and coaches like the decision-making, the process, the understanding of the game, the management of the game, being able to do what I need him to do when I need him to do it. You feel like you’re watching an NFL-ready quarterback. It’s the reads, the drops, the whole system — everything he’s been asked to do for his whole career is play NFL football. He has good players around him, but it’s not like he has a top-10 receiver and another first-round pick in the group. He’s the cleanest, safest pick.”

While scouts and front-office people have their eye on the draft throughout the year, coaches are focused on the season, so they don’t get much of a chance to break down prospects until the offseason.

As noted by the anonymous coordinator, McCarthy wasn’t usually flashy or spectacular at Michigan, but he often made the right reads and rarely got his team beat.

McCarthy’s upside may not be quite as immense as that of Williams, Daniels or Maye, but he does feel like a relatively safe pick who perhaps has a higher floor than any of the aforementioned quarterbacks.

Given the Patriots’ history of success with a University of Michigan quarterback in Tom Brady, McCarthy could be a great fit in New England should the organization favor him over Daniels or Maye.

If Williams, Daniels and Maye do go 1-2-3, however, there will likely be a mad rush by quarterback-needy teams looking to trade up and select McCarthy.

The Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 and Chargers at No. 5 are prime trade-up spots that could be targeted by the likes of the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.