J.J. McCarthy’s Odds To Be Top-5 Pick Continue to Rise

A few weeks ago, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a longshot to go in the top-5 of the NFL Draft.

But as the first round inches closer, his prospects continue to improve.

McCarthy had +1500 odds to be the No. 4 overall pick in the draft on March 5, and those odds have now climbed to +250, according to FanDuel on March 21.

McCarthy is also expected to be in contention to go No. 5 overall, with odds of +430 at FanDuel. 

Here is a look at McCarthy’s odds to go in each spot of the top-5, which comes out to an implied probability of 62.8% that he is taken within those picks.

J.J. McCarthy Top-5 Draft Selection Odds at FanDuel

• No. 4 overall pick +250
• No. 5 overall pick +430
• No. 3 overall pick +850
• No. 2 overall pick +2500
• No. 1 overall pick +10000

The Arizona Cardinals choose fourth overall, and Marvin Harrison, Jr. has been the odds-on favorite to land with them since the market was unveiled.

It remains that way currently, but McCarthy is making a major move.

The Minnesota Vikings traded for the No. 23 overall pick last week, and there is a wide expectation that they are looking to package No. 23 with No. 11 overall to get into the top-5 and draft McCarthy.

The Bears, Commanders and Patriots are projected to take quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye with the first three overall picks, which would make Arizona’s No. 4 selection the pivot point of the draft.

The Cardinals badly needed a top wide receiver, so Harrison would check a huge box for them. But GM Monti Ossenfort traded down from No. 3 overall last year and said on Wednesday that he is open to doing so once again.

Here are the latest odds to be the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, per FanDuel on March 21st.

Odds to be the No. 4 Overall Pick in the Draft at FanDuel

• Marvin Harrison, Jr. -180
• J.J. McCarthy +250
• Malik Nabers +900
• Rome Odunze +2200
• Drake Maye +2500
• Jayden Daniels +2500
• Joe Alt +3500
• Dallas Turner +4500

The Chargers draft fifth, and would be a natural trade partner with the Vikings as first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh aims to build up the roster.

Los Angeles lost star wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams at the start of the league year, so rookie pass-catchers have the best odds to go No. 5, but McCarthy is right in the mix as well in case the trade happens.

Odds to be the No. 5 Overall Pick in the Draft at FanDuel

• Malik Nabers +210
• Marvin Harrison, Jr. +250
• J.J. McCarthy +430
• Joe Alt +650
• Rome Odunze +750
• Taliese Fuaga +2000
• J.C. Latham +2500
• Jayden Daniels +3000
• Drake Maye +3000