The early indications suggest that Geno Smith belongs to the Seattle Seahawks. in 2024, but they might still make a move to acquire another quarterback. Seattle Sports’ Brock Huard thinks that the best choice for the Seahawks is former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Coming off leading Michigan to a championship and performing well at the NFL combine, McCarthy is expected to be drafted before Seattle's turn at No. 16. Huard suggests that the Seahawks should make every effort to trade up in the draft and pick McCarthy.
“My conviction would be you do whatever it takes (to get him),” the former Seahawks quarterback noted during a March 7, 2024 edition of “Brock and Salk.” “Is it trading DK Metcalf? Is it trading next year’s (first-round pick)? I really would love for him to be this year’s (first-round pick). I really would.
“I still would love to add a Troy Fautanu and some of the difference-makers who are in the top-50 of this draft. But I don’t walk away from this draft without doing and exhausting every opportunity to go get J.J. McCarthy.”
Seahawks Rumors: Seattle Will Likely Need to Move up to Draft QB J.J. McCarthy
The Seahawks still have Metcalf under contract for another two seasons. He has a three-year, $72 million deal that runs until the 2025 season. He is set to earn a $13 million salary and have a $24.5 million cap hit in 2024.
Let’s explore the current draft order to see how high Seattle would need to go in order to secure McCarthy. Assuming that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are all picked in the top five, the
No. 12) and Giants (No. 6), Falcons (No. 8), Vikings (No. 11), Broncos (No. 13) are potential spots for the next quarterback. Raiders The Athletic’s Dane Brugler predicts that the Vikings will trade up from No. 11 to No. 7 to grab McCarthy in his latest mock draft. Minnesota offers No. 11, No. 109 and a 2025 second rounder to to move up four spots for McCarthy. Tennessee NFL Draft Rumors: The Raiders Are J.J. McCarthy’s Floor at No. 13
When it comes to the Seahawks, players like Metcalf are not typically included in trade packages to move up in the draft. However, we did see the
use receiver D.J. Moore in a deal with the Panthers to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Bears If the Seahawks were to part ways with Metcalf, the star receiver could likely fetch at least a first-round pick, if not more assets. McCarthy’s potential is somewhat uncertain due to Michigan's rushing-focused offense.
The star quarterback
threw for 2,991 yards , 22 touchdowns and 4 interceptions while completing 72.3% of his passes in 2023. McCarthy also gained 202 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground.ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes that the lowest possibility for McCarthy is the Raiders with the No. 13 pick. “He is still a raw passer, and that was evident throughout the throwing session,” Reid wrote in a March 3 story titled, “2024 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, best workouts, risers.” “McCarthy will need to refine his lower-body mechanics to enhance his accuracy toward the sideline and on deep passes. But I still don’t see him lasting past the Raiders at No. 13 overall.”
With uncertainties still surrounding his future in the NFL, is McCarthy the kind of player that justifies Seattle sacrificing a lot of resources to acquire through a trade? Fans of the Seahawks may have doubts about this potential action.
The Seattle Seahawks are being encouraged to consider trade possibilities in the NFL draft in order to trade up and acquire Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
