Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, now hosting a sports talk radio show for WFAN, was straightforward in his views on the possibility of the Giants drafting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the upcoming draft’s first round.
Barber bluntly stated, “It’s not happening. I don’t want him.” However, he clarified that his stance isn’t personal. Instead, it stems from concerns about McCarthy’s performance on film, which he feels doesn’t justify the first-round hype surrounding him.
According to Barber, McCarthy’s film doesn’t portray him as a first-round caliber quarterback. It lacks elements crucial for high draft consideration, such as adeptness in second and third-level reads and executing complex combo routes accurately. Barber believes that the scheme McCarthy operated in at Michigan, orchestrated by former head coach Jim Harbaugh, didn’t emphasize these essential skills. Consequently, Barber sees McCarthy’s elevated status as more of a result of Harbaugh’s endorsement rather than genuine merit.
On the other side, Giants general manager Joe Schoen has remained tight-lipped about the team’s quarterback plans. He has expressed confidence in incumbent Daniel Jones, despite his injury history. Schoen even suggested that the team could proceed with Jones, along with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito, without drafting a new quarterback.
Schoen reiterated his belief in Jones’s abilities, pointing to his performance in the 2022 season, where he led the team to ten wins and a playoff victory. Despite a rocky start to the previous season, Schoen remains steadfast in his support for Jones.
However, given the depth of talent in this year’s quarterback class, many expect the Giants to select a quarterback, particularly considering Jones’s injury proneness. As long as it’s not McCarthy, Barber is likely to back the team’s choice.
