The New York Giants have been linked to Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout much of the lead-up process to the 2024 NFL Draft later this month. And while some Giants fans are in favor of the possible move, former Giants player Tiki Barber made it clear on Thursday that he could be less enthused about the possibility.
Barber, now a radio host on WFAN alongside Evan Roberts, spoke about the Giants’ future on their show, Evan & Tiki. Roberts suggested the idea of McCarthy starting next season for the Giants, which Barber was immediately against.
“Stop with the J.J. McCarthy thing,” said Barber. “His film doesn’t say he’s a first-round quarterback. His film doesn’t say ‘I need to get rid of all my assets and go draft this guy,’ because a lot of what he does doesn’t translate. The scheme that he ran at Michigan, and maybe this is just an indictment on the scheme and not necessarily on him, it didn’t highlight the things that you need to do. Second, third-level reads and multiple combo rights that you need to get correct. They didn’t do any of that stuff.”
Barber then argued that the reason that McCarthy has been rising up draft boards is due to the praise former Michigan head coach turned Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has placed on him. Harbaugh has notably made a bold statement numerous times throughout the pre-draft process, calling him the “best quarterback in the draft”.
“He’s getting inflated because Jim Harbaugh won’t stop talking about him,” added Barber. “Now, all of a sudden, he’s a top-four quarterback? I don’t buy it.”
Barber does raise some good points here. McCarthy’s overall collegiate numbers do leave a lot to be desired in comparison to the rest of the quarterbacks expected to go in the first round of the draft. And Harbaugh’s praise of McCarthy has certainly helped him throughout the pre-draft process.
Only time will tell whether the Giants do indeed go out and get McCarthy. But it is safe to say that Barber wouldn’t love the move in hindsight.
