NFL writer shares wild Bo Nix, J.J. McCarthy draft prediction

Well-known NFL writer Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated dove headfirst into the “silly season” portion of the calendar when he predicted on Tuesday that Oregon quarterback Bo Nix will be drafted ahead of Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy Thursday night. 

Orr’s updated mock draft included the Denver Broncos moving up from overall pick No. 12 to No. 10 for Nix. 

“Nix is ready now,” Orr said about pairing the quarterback with Denver head coach Sean Payton. “He’s not going to have the same kind of rookie learning curve. He’s matured. He’s also incredibly developed as a passer and set the NCAA record for completion percentage a year ago.” 

Most analysts assume it’s a given that Caleb Williams of USC, Jayden Daniels of LSU, Drake Maye of North Carolina and McCarthy will be the first four quarterbacks drafted on Thursday night. Some still think there’s a chance the New England Patriots could pick McCarthy over Maye at No. 3. 

While the draft stock of Washington star Michael Penix Jr. allegedly continues to rise roughly 48 hours before the start of the draft, it was recently reported that Nix seemed “the most likely” of the quarterback prospects to slide out of the first round. 

Multiple NFL insiders have suggested that the Broncos will try to trade up from the No. 12 pick to third or fourth to grab either Maye or McCarthy. Orr acknowledged in Tuesday’s piece he thinks “Payton has something bigger up his sleeve” than taking Nix at the No. 10 spot, but the New England Patriots don’t seem close to trading the third pick before Thursday night. 

The Washington Commanders are widely expected to select Daniels at No. 2 after the Chicago Bears make Williams the draft’s first pick. 

As for McCarthy, Orr predicted that “Tom Brady pulls levers and” convinces the Las Vegas Raiders to take the national champion via the 13th selection. Brady, of course, featured for Michigan during his college days and is on track to become a limited partner of the Raiders at some point. 

The Raiders are one of a handful of teams that have routinely been linked with Penix throughout April.