Who on this roster will be the best in the NFL?

Submitted by nperna12 on January 9th, 2024 at 11:37 PM

The more I keep watching and combining his growth with god given talent. I think Kenneth Grant may be the players with the longest and most productive career on the field in the NFL.

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FrankMurphy

January 9th, 2024 at 11:41 PM ^

Based on Mason Graham's stellar performance in the postseason against elite O-lines and the fact that he has at least two years of eligibility left, the sky is the limit for him.

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mrlmichael

January 9th, 2024 at 11:51 PM ^

There's a lot of options in this group, but football always comes down to the quarterback, and that quarterback is JJ McCarthy.

I broke into Michigan fandom during the era of Tom Brady vs Drew Henson, and I could never understand why Tom Brady wasn't the starting quarterback for Michigan, he just had *it*, you could tell then, it was clear as day. He became my favorite Michigan player during the most formative years of my Michigan fandom.

When he got drafted, I swore I would follow Tom Brady wherever he went. I was born in Michigan, a Lions fan by birth, but I swore wherever Tom Brady went, that was my second favorite team.

Despite all my confidence, I had no idea at the time, how well following Tom Brady's career would go. I had so many highs following him from New England to Tampa Bay, what a ride he gave me for deciding that he was my ride or die dude. 

JJ McCarthy has that same *it*. I'm not saying his career will go as splendid as Brady's did, that's almost impossible to do. But he has his doubters, and those doubts may extend to the draft, where he might go late first round, early second, have 3-5 QBs picked before him, just like Brady.

But I'll tell you this, whatever NFL team gets this kid, is in for a treat, the same way as the Patriots were for a treat when they drafted Tom Brady, they just didn't know it yet. Every team that passes on JJ McCarthy will live to regret it, he has *it*, the same way Brady does. He is talented, unselfish, puts the team first, and is a fierce competitor.

I look forward to following his career the same way I followed Brady's, because I have no doubt he will make good on it. 

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mrlmichael

January 10th, 2024 at 12:58 AM ^

We're in a different era as far as how the NFL values the QB position. Whether JJ comes back another year or not, there's no way he's falling to the 6th/7th round, quarterbacks are too valuable now.

But if you consider this year at least, there's a possibility he is the 5th or 6th QB off the board. Brady was the 7th QB off the board. Back then, that was the 6th/7th round, today that's at the worst the 1st-3rd round.

The game has changed, but the story remains the same, someone who wants to draft a QB will draft a player not named JJ McCarthy, multiple teams will, they'll likely regret it. 

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The Oracle 2

January 10th, 2024 at 1:10 AM ^

I think coming back would be the best thing for him. QBs don’t get nearly the reps in Michigan’s system as they do elsewhere. Drake Maye had 952 attempts in his college career. Caleb Williams had 1,099. Michael Penix, 1,685. Bo Nix, 1,936. McCarthy has thrown 713 passes in three seasons at Michigan. He’s been a huge part of their success since he arrived, but he still has some rough spots that I think would be more easily smoothed out with another season in college than sitting on the bench in the NFL or being thrown into the fire right away as a starter there. Chances are he’d improve his draft stock and make some nice NIL money while he’s at it. I hope he sees it that way.

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mrlmichael

January 10th, 2024 at 1:23 AM ^

Agree with this. JJ could certainly improve his stock by coming back another year and getting more reps. This goes even futhher considering what Michigan is losing, JJ will have to be a dude next year for Michigan to compete.

But my post is more about the guy himself. Whether he goes late first round this year, or earlier next year, it doesn't really matter. He's never gonna put up the numbers of some of these other QBs, but he could. He also doesn't care, and that's the kicker.

He's talented enough, he CAN do it, but he doesn't care if he does it. He's a winner, he's a team guy, he's focused, but he can also elevate his game. He's a dream come true as a pro athlete, and teams will miss out on the intangibles that we'll sit here on MgoBlog always knowing he had.

Brady was like that, there's only a select few people like that. JJ is one of them. 

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PopeLando

January 10th, 2024 at 11:05 AM ^

This is a very good point.

Someone did a study a while back about how many games does it take before “NFL prospect QBs” become “NFL ready QBs.” I don’t remember the conclusion.

But Klatt had a really good point on some talk show yesterday: Washington was asking Penix to go through NFL progressions, making post-snap reads, and did so like 35 times. Michigan was asking JJ to do so…about 5 times.

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TESOE

January 10th, 2024 at 1:59 AM ^

I could never understand why Tom Brady wasn't the starting quarterback for Michigan

Henson was awesome, and he made Brady like anvil meets hammer. People don't remember how it was. Brady studied to get where he got and wasn't great first day on campus. It was never clear until it was.

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michgoblue

January 9th, 2024 at 11:51 PM ^

So many to choose from. I’d be shocked if Graham, Grant, Jenkins and Zinter were not all still in the league having productive careers in the year 2030. Likely beyond. All possess the physical gifts, work ethic and smarts to go very far at the next level. Of that group, I see Graham being the most productive but I could have gone with any of the four.  
 

The wildcard, though, is JJ. He has all of the tools, the composure, the work ethic and the it factor to be a superstar QB. Our offense didn’t feature him nearly as much as many others would have (because our coaches were playing to win, not run up stats). For that reason, so many people don’t realize just how good he is. My bet is that after the combine, his stock goes  way up and he ends up being a late first round pick (meaning he ends up on a decent team) where, after a year of being an understudy, he goes on to massive success. 

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AnthonyThomas

January 9th, 2024 at 11:58 PM ^

I'm saying this with 100% sincerity: JJ should absolutely come back next year. This year's QB class is loaded and he needs to show more consistency on tape. He was incredible for the first eight weeks or so of the season but wasn't nearly as sharp after that, probably because the competition got better. He needs to get half a click quicker in making reads, because there's no doubt he can make all of the throws. If he takes even a half step forward in coming back next year, he could easily be the first QB off the board in 2025. 

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The Mayor

January 10th, 2024 at 12:15 AM ^

Do you think coming back to throw the ball 18 times a game will change his trajectory? I think if we changed our offense to a more pass happy scheme than yes but I just don’t think we are going to let him sling it. He’s top 3 right now and the combine and workouts will change the perception.

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AnthonyThomas

January 10th, 2024 at 12:41 AM ^

JJ is going to be a top three QB in this draft? Where are you seeing that? He absolutely isn't going to be one of the first three QBs taken this year. Williams, Maye, and Daniels will all get picked before him. Penix and Nix are mocked before him in most places, too. He's by no means projected as a consensus first round pick. And coming back next year would have as much to do with getting drafted in a QB class that isn't as deep as this year's. 

And I also think it's entirely possible that the offense could be tweaked next year, because I don't think Harbaugh will be the head coach. Even if it's Moore, I don't know that he wouldn't choose to throw more, whether out of choice or necessity. It depends on what the team's strengths are and what differences of philosophies there are between coaches that we just aren't privy to. 

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outsidethebox

January 10th, 2024 at 11:30 AM ^

JJ could well be Mahommes in a couple of years-it is difficult to tell/see in this offense. The NFL understands the realities in this regard very well and will not hesitate to take a chance if that is what they see. This young man is a leader and winner of epic proportions at the most difficult/critical position in sports. What's his record as the starting QB since HS...I forget-hasn't he only lost 2 or 3 games in his life??? His record is not some tangential accident.

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Solecismic

January 10th, 2024 at 12:41 AM ^

I do. Experience in important college games is perhaps the number-one tangible statistic that exists for college quarterbacks transitioning to the NFL who have the arm and the basic skill set.

Selfishly, I'd love to see him stay another year and continue to develop. But if he gets a first-round grade, he should go. Because injuries happen and so do occasional regressions.

If he doesn't have a first-round grade, he should stay. There's a stark difference in money once the first day ends. There's also a difference in opportunity because teams have less invested and no fifth-year automatic option if the pick pays off.

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reshp1

January 10th, 2024 at 1:03 AM ^

JJ put a lot of tape together early on this year, but struggled against the better part of the schedule. Some of that was conservative play calling, some injury, but he also just didn't play up to his potential in the final games, really since Penn State. He doesn't have a lot more he can show, but there's still some room for improvement. Even if he doesn't, he should move up just by virtue of next year's QB class vs this year's. 

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mgoja

January 10th, 2024 at 1:20 AM ^

If he does come back, things could be quite interesting next year.  As amazing as this team is, there is clearly room for improvement on offense.  I'm not sure how much of that improvement needs to be schematic (e.g., better use of Edwards or nis replacement, play action, etc.) and how much is execution. 

 

I think Michigan was 1 for 10 on 3rd down against Washington, and wasn't all that good on 3rd down against Alabama.  With a little bit better performance on offense, Michigan beats Alabama by 3 or 4 TDs and might have been able to name the score against Washington.  We -- and the media -- would be talking about how they would have matched up against Joe Burrow's LSU team and other historically great champions. 

One factor JJ might weigh in his decision to stay or go is the allure of helping next year's team be even better than this year's team, even if the defense slips a bit.

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bighouseinmate

January 10th, 2024 at 9:08 AM ^

“even if the defense slips a bit.”

Theres a very good chance that the defense next year will be even better, even after losing Barrett, Mikey S, and probably guys like McGregor, Jenkins, and others. 
 

A core of Graham, Grant, D Moore, Johnson, Hausmann, McBurrows, and Sabb is a great place to start. Add in a better A. Walker at cb, the kid from Maryland at LB, the freshmen from this year with a year in the system, and 1-3 freshmen next year who can play right away and the defense is still in a very good place. If a number of guys return, like Stewart, possibly Colson, and Rod Moore it has the potential to be even better than this year’s defense.

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jpo

January 9th, 2024 at 11:55 PM ^

Are there any future Hall of Famers on this team? I’m guessing not, but I’d say Zinter or Grant have the best shot at it. The sleeper is Will Johnson, who I think will be a very good pro. Marlin Jackson as his floor, but I’m not sure he can get to Woodson’s level as a ceiling.

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The Mayor

January 10th, 2024 at 12:11 AM ^

That’s a tough question. I think Mikey S is going to be good. Will, Mason, KG, JJ, Loveland, Zinter, Keegan are gonna be good. But I think Derrick Moore will be the best.

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Michfan777

January 10th, 2024 at 12:29 AM ^

I think Will Johnson ends up as a star. Maybe not Sauce Gardner right away, but borderline shutdown ability from day 1.

I also think Zinter recovers to have a 10 year career.

If he goes to a place where he has a very good offensive staff and/or he can sit for a year or so behind an aging vet (like to the Rams), I could see McCarthy being a very good QB. I could also see a team like the Dolphins taking him since Tua is one more hard hit from retiring.

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Brewers Yost

January 10th, 2024 at 12:31 AM ^

Maybe not the best but I think Donovan Edwards will be a steal for whoever takes him. He is a team player with elite speed and great hands (under utilized imo). Any weaknesses in his game can all be corrected, just needs a little time and patience. 

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brad

January 10th, 2024 at 12:33 AM ^

I would say Will Johnson.  Take the Charles woodson (convert to nickel when a touch of speed wears off) route and he can last a long long time.

But possibly Loveland, Zinter or K Grant.

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stevedore

January 10th, 2024 at 12:36 AM ^

I am pretty sure at least one of the OL/DL standouts, maybe Kenneth Grant or Trevor Keegan, I dunno, is going to make a long successful career. The 1997 OL had a couple all-timers, for example.

Will Johnson will do well too. He's got the size, speed and moxie.

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