The NFL Scouting Combine ended Sunday night, and the Washington Commanders are now moving on to the next phase of their offseason.
When quarterbacks showcase their arm skills for teams like the Commanders and, for the second year in a row, in front of spectators and journalists, it’s the most thrilling day of combine week.
Because the top three quarterbacks this year declined to throw, many speculated that the biggest scouting event of the year could lack a little oomph. However, that wasn’t the case, and as a result, a fourth quarterback might have pushed his way into discussions taking place around Washington.
On the Locked On Commanders podcast, Commanders team analyst Logan Paulsen stated, “The guy that threw (Saturday) at the Combine was (Michigan quarterback) J.J. McCarthy and he’s a guy that the more I watch him, the more I get it, the more I fall in love with his ability.”
“He has exceptional talent when it comes to football throwing. Although he didn’t run a 40 yesterday, the film shows that he is an excellent athlete. In addition, I believe that when you saw him yesterday, he was throwing with Bo Nix, the quarterback from Oregon, who has an excellent arm. I wouldn’t say that Nix outperformed him, but his arm talent was noticeably superior.
McCarthy is the fourth quarterback selected in this year’s NFL Draft, according to Paulsen. Since many people anticipate that players from that group will be selected in the top three spots in April, it’s plausible that the playmaker who won the National Championship falls inside the top 10.
Of course, the top 10 and No. 2 overall are very different, but McCarthy’s performance at the combine this year will be difficult to overlook as the Commanders move through free agency and into full draft preparation.
That, coupled with the tape from leading the Michigan Wolverines to their first National Championship in the College Football Playoffs era, may make trading out of the No. 2 spot a little more attractive.
