Brian Daboll of New York Giants looking on (left). JJ McCarthy of Michigan Wolverines looking on (right).
In recent weeks, the New York Giants — owners of the No. 6 draft pick in 2024 — have been widely linked to Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy.

Last year, the New York Giants handed starting quarterback Daniel Jones a four-year contract extension worth $160 million. But Jones endured another difficult season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Giants met with McCarthy last week, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.

But as rumors as of New York potentially selecting McCarthy heat up, head coach Brian Daboll provided some clarity on the team’s QB plans while speaking to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero at Saturday’s Annual League Meeting:

“We’re excited to have Drew (Lock), and he knows what his role is going to be. He’s going to get a lot of reps this spring, he needs to learn our system, but again excited to get Daniel back, when he gets back he’ll be the guy.”

USC’s Caleb Williams is a virtual lock to go first overall to the Chicago Bears at No. 1. With the No. 2 selection, the Washington Commanders will go with either LSU’s Jayden Daniels or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

Whether the New England Patriots keep or trade the No. 3 pick, whoever remains between Daniels and Maye will likely go next. So McCarthy, the consensus No. 4 QB in this year’s class, could very well be within reach for the New York Giants at No.6.

JJ McCarthy Makes Sense For The New York Giants

Unlike Williams and Daniels, McCarthy probably isn’t ready to start right away. That’s why he would be an ideal fit for the New York Giants if they weren’t sold on “Danny Dimes” as the long-term option at QB.

With the structure of his contract, the Giants can get out of Jones’ deal after next season. So they could theoretically draft McCarthy and have him play behind Jones and/or Drew Lock as a rookie next season before giving the Michigan product the reins in 2025.

In his final season at Michigan, McCarthy completed 72.3 percent of pass attempts for 2,991 passing yards and 22 touchdowns against only four interceptions. The Wolverines went on to defeat the Washington Huskies in the national championship game.