2014 NFL Draft: Top QB Prospects

Putting this together made me feel a little bit better about yesterday. If there was one season for Schaub to have a total meltdown, this was it. Lots of good QB prospects out there. The positives about our situation in regards to our potential new guy:

1) Elite defense will protect our new prospect
2) Kubiak knows how to build up quarterbacks
3) Andre, Deandre, and TEs.
4) Solid running game to fall back on

Will definitely need to cut Randy and fire Marciano so as to not put him behind the 8 ball in terms of field position. That being said, here are the prospects.

1. Teddy Bridgewater*, QB, Louisville
Height: 6-3. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round (2014): 1.

Spoiler

Positives

Bridgewater is the definition of the total package. He is a natural leader with an overall stellar skill set. He’s great at taking care of the football and at not being careless or thoughtless when pressured.

He is a natural pocket passer but is a nightmare outside of the hash marks. He also has a pretty good deep ball and good vision down the field. He doesn’t seem to rush himself when he drops back.

Bridgewater is borderline nonchalant, looking untroubled when going through his progressions. His footwork only contributes to his contentment in the pocket, and he moves smooth as a runnin’ river.



Negatives

Despite performing well in big games, Bridgewater’s abilities seemed dumbed down against conference teams. Old injuries may also come back to haunt him, as he has had issues in the past with his wrist and ankle. His throwing motion and mechanics also warrant some concern but can likely be coached up and remedied.

2. Brett Hundley**, QB, UCLA
Height: 6-3. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2014): 1.

Spoiler

Positives

Very well-built physically, he has what you look for when you draw up a quarterback. He’s a student of the game who studies a ton of game film, and it shows up on the field. Hundley looks right at home in and out of the pocket and has the arm strength to plant the ball virtually anywhere on the field.



Negatives

Although he has the arm strength to put the ball anywhere, it’s getting it to where he intends to throw it that seems to be Hundley’s issue. He needs to work on his consistency and ball placement in order to be a trusted prospect in next year’s draft.

His instincts could be better, as he doesn’t always feel the rush when he should.

3. Marcus Mariota**, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-4. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.

Spoiler

Positives

Mariota is probably the most athletically gifted runner out of all these quarterbacks. His size and gazelle-like style of running make him a tough guy to bring down. And he also possesses tremendous top-end speed. He shows great zip on the ball and has an effortless throwing motion.



Negatives

The biggest worry surrounding almost all Oregon's players is if they can play well outside of that system. There is a very specific and unique style of offense ran by the Ducks, and the jury is still out on how it will turn out in the NFL (Chip Kelly’s off to a rocky start so far).

If he can display a more well-rounded skill set than he could prove himself as a solid overall prospect.

4. Johnny Manziel**, QB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.

Spoiler

Positives

The best thing Manziel has going for him is his athletic ability. At 6’1”, 200 pounds, he is not that big and will need to be a speedy athlete if he wants to survive in the NFL.

He shows great instincts and performs well on the fly; he makes something out of nothing on broken plays.

He’s not so much an RG3 clone as he is a smaller Colin Kaepernick-esque player. He doesn’t have the greatest long ball, but his short and intermediate routes are hardly matched by most.

If he can bulk up and improve his durability, Manziel could be a scary player in the NFL.



Negatives

Most recently, Heismanziel has been surrounded with accusations surrounding autographs he reportedly sold. He also had quite an eventful summer as he was seen on TMZ a couple of times, most recently for getting kicked out of a frat party at the Aggies’ in-state rival’s campus.

The questions surrounding his performance on the field are largely related to the translation of his skill set combination at the next level. Sure he can elude and juke out guys in the college ranks, but so did Tim Tebow. They do have two different styles of running, but the concerns surrounding Manziel’s play are a pretty good comparison to those surrounding Tebow.

His size is another issue, as most teams are going to bank on him not being the second coming of Doug Flutie. He also has inconsistent ball placement and is a little weak on the long ball.

5. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.

Spoiler

Positives

He puts great velocity on the ball and can fit it into tight spots, looks extremely comfortable in the pocket and has good mobility.

He's more of a straight-line, shifty runner than a lanky strider, and his compact build makes him less injury prone when enduring hits.

He’s provided a strong sense of leadership during his years at Clemson and is a very tough competitor. He shows good touch on the ball, leading his receiver in-stride most times.



Negatives

He’s a little on the short side, which may cause a Russell Wilson-like effect on his stock, but I doubt he will fall as far.

Although he’s performed well at Clemson, he hasn’t had a difficult playbook or route tree to master. He also takes the majority of his snaps from the shotgun, so there will definitely be questions about whether or not he will be comfortable under center in the NFL.

Another thing he will need to work on is something most mobile quarterbacks have to work on—learning to think pass-first instead of instinctively running.

Outside of the top 5:


6. Kevin Hogan**, QB, Stanford
Height: 6-4. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2014): 1-3.

7. Stephen Morris, QB, Miami
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2014): 1-3.

8. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.

9. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.

10. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
Height: 6-1. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.

11. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
Height: 6-4. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.

12. David Fales, QB, San Jose State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.

 

You should watch Derek Carr play, the kid can ball. Don't let the last name deter you. I like the idea of taking two QBs in this draft, wouldn't mind Derek as our Kirk Cousins.

 

True. What does that have to do with Derek though?