2012 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks
This is an excellent quarterback class, definitely the best I’ve ever scouted. Obviously there’s Luck, but behind him there are still about 6 quarterbacks that could be good starters. In the last three years there have been two really really good prospects (Stafford and Bradford). This year would have 3 of the top 5 qb prospects of the last 4 drafts (2009-2012). Last year had a million question marks, this year the biggest question is accuracy for just about every prospect. However, as in any draft there will be busts at the QB position. I would say the most likely busts would be RG3 and Weeden. But predicting QB’s is almost impossible so they’ll prob be studs.
1. Andrew Luck—Stanford—6’4”-234—1st Overall—100—Best quarterback prospect since John Elway (yes better than Peyton). Ideal size, athletic (4.67), and very intelligent. Good arm strength, real good accuracy, and produced without receiver help, but with tight ends. He’s as close to can’t miss as a QB can get. Was in a mostly running offense in college and still put up good numbers, especially in efficiency ratings. Indy sucks which could make him start slow, but they really sucked when they drafted Peyton too. The only issue I have with his game is not leading receivers enough on the deep ball. He has a strong enough arm, but he threw a few picks by leaving it short on the go routes. Oh, and he’s a goof ball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF9PFJI_t5I
2. Robert Griffin III—Baylor—6’2”-223—2nd Overall—97—Absolute freak. Good size, especially for a mobile qb, 4.41 is ridonk. His entire offense was revolved around the shotgun play fake. Threw a lot of screens and real quick slant/seam passes that were predetermined either thru play call or pre-snap read. He will need improvement in making more complex reads, as will every college q. Great arm strength, better than good accuracy, and throws the best deep ball I’ve ever scouted. My concerns are with his delivery which is a little reminiscent to Vince Young, except Vince has 3 inches on RG3. Also, he does not handle pressure in the pocket well at all. He gets sacked almost every time he is pressured. In the NFL you’re always dealing with pressure. Plays very well outside the pocket. Skins’ should be a good fit. I like him a little better than Cam last year because he threw the ball more, but Cam’s size and delivery looked more pro ready.
3. Ryan Tannehill—Texas A&M—6’4”—221—Top 10—95—This draft’s wild card. Most likely someone will trade up to get him if he passes by the Browns at 4. 5th all-time receiver in A&M history so definitely athletic (4.61). Strong thrower of the football. Plays very well on the run. Does not move around the pocket very well but he can run with it. Comparing him to Blaine Gabbert last year, Tannehill shows a stronger arm, a more diverse playbook/route package, and but less complete quarterback skill (footwork/pocket presence). I think he handles pressure ok, and when allowed to sit in the pocket can sling with anyone. He looks like a good player, and might have been the highest rated QB in last year’s draft.
4. Kirk Cousins—Mich. St.—6’3”-214—2nd Day—87—Watched his bowl game this year and really liked him. Consistent production over the past three years puts him light years ahead of Ricky Stanzi last year. Has a strong enough arm when he can get his body behind it, but ball floats if he’s on his back foot (only does that when there’s pressure). Pretty damn accurate. Smart kid, by all accounts a real good leader. Doesn’t have physical deficiencies. I think he’s flying under the radar in the media but the someone is gonna draft him in the 2nd because he’s a solid QB prospect. Could definitely fill Mark Sanchez’s role, prob better than him. Seems like a cross between Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder. Shows Dalton’s grit, and playing style, but he played in a pro style offense like Ponder. I really like him.
5. Brandon Weeden—Okla. St.—6’4”-221—1st/2nd—84—He’ll be holding a cane in his left while he shakes Goodell’s hand with his right. The soon to be 29 year old won’t have maturity concerns. Dude can absolutely sling it, strongest arm in the draft. Unfortunately he has accuracy problems, they also get a lot worse when he’s pressured. He does not throw a particularly good deep ball, but excels at crossing and out routes. He does not get his body into throws very often which could be a big cause for his accuracy issues. The best comparison to last year is Ryan Mallett. Mallett had much better accuracy, played in a more complex offense, and didn’t have gray pubes. Weeden’s not a nut case. Edge-Mallett.
6. Nick Foles—Arizona—6’5”-243—2nd day—78—I noticed him last year cuz he was productive and looked like an NFL qb. Statue in the pocket, but his line/entire team were pretty shitty. Still was able to put up big numbers and get wins. Another guy with a rocket in the Ryan Mallett mold. Issue with Foles being his failures to cope with pressure and inconsistent accuracy. That being said I like his experience and his arm ability and could definitely see him starting in the NFL some day.
7. Brock Osweiler—Arizona St.—6’7”-242—2nd day—77—Lank Ball. Would think he’d be a Mallett statue, but he moves pretty well and can run too. If he stayed in school he’d be in the discussion with Matt Barkley for best QB next year. He can sling it, but he misses a lot of passes. Has a quick release, but elongates on deep throws. Really needs some development, but the accuracy issues may be too much. He’s this years Colin Kaepernick, except he’s further along as a thrower/qb than Kaepernick.
8. Russell Wilson—Wisconsin—5’11”204 3rd round/day—75—I noticed him two years ago at N.C. State. Dude is just an awesome quarterback. Saw him play multiple times this year and he had only improved. He runs the entire offense, makes play fakes, throws all the passes (average arm strength), runs when he has to, and makes clutch plays. I love him and he reminds me of Troy Smith from Ohio St. He comes with maturity, experience, and multiple facets to his game. Only problem, he’s shorter than me. Some may think he can be Drew Brees, but Brees is a freak. Simply because of his height, he’s gonna be a 3rd day pick and life long backup/wildcat q.