Tiki Barber Hoping Giants Won't Draft JJ McCarthy: ‘I Don’t Want Him'

Tiki Barber voices preference against Giants drafting JJ McCarthy: 'I don't want him.' Fans speculate on team's draft strategy.

Former NFL star Tiki Barber is casting doubt on the suitability of University of Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy for the professional ranks, particularly for the New York Giants, in the upcoming NFL draft.

 

Barber, speaking candidly, expressed strong reservations about McCarthy's ability to transition successfully to the NFL. He dismissed the notion of the Giants selecting McCarthy, asserting adamantly, "Not happening. I don’t want him. Not happening."

 

With the Giants' current quarterback, Daniel Jones, facing uncertainties due to injury and performance issues, speculation has arisen regarding the team's potential interest in drafting a quarterback with the sixth overall pick. However, Barber is vocal in his opposition to this idea, suggesting that McCarthy's skills may not translate effectively to the demands of the NFL.

 

Barber questioned McCarthy's credentials as a first-round pick, attributing much of his attention to the influence of former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. He argued that McCarthy's collegiate performance, while commendable, may not adequately prepare him for the complexities of NFL-level play, citing limitations in his game film.

 

Despite McCarthy's impressive statistics, including 2,291 passing yards and 22 touchdowns during Michigan's National Championship-winning campaign, Barber remains skeptical of his suitability for the Giants or any NFL team.

 

In Barber's view, McCarthy's perceived hype is inflated, primarily driven by Harbaugh's praise rather than tangible evidence of NFL-caliber talent. He contends that McCarthy's success within Michigan's offensive scheme may not fully reflect his readiness for the multifaceted challenges of professional football.

 

As speculation swirls ahead of the NFL draft, Barber's outspoken critique adds a layer of scrutiny to McCarthy's prospects and underscores the complexities of evaluating collegiate talent for the transition to the NFL. Whether McCarthy's performance warrants a first-round selection remains a subject of debate, but Barber's skepticism highlights the discerning eye of NFL analysts in assessing draft prospects.