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2014 NFL Draft: Top QB Prospects

Discussion in 'Houston Texans' started by MystikArkitect, Oct 7, 2013.

  1. MystikArkitect

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    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.


    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.


    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.


    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.


    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.


    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.
     
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  2. today

    today Contributing Member

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    Where is the guy from Washington? He's a Senior, right?

    I'd like to see us take 2 QBs in this next draft, hopefully we'll get lucky and one of them will develop into an ELITE QB that can carry our franchise for 10+ years.
     
  3. the futants

    the futants Contributing Member

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    How DARE you bother to type (or copy/paste) "Derek Carr" on this board.
    You better figure out a way to redeem yourself, son.
    This thread is so tainted...I may never recover from replying. Damn.
     
  4. Jimmy Chitwood

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    Brett Hundley hype is overrated. Just get Johnny Manziel.
     
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  5. SkyrimOwnsAll

    SkyrimOwnsAll Member

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    Manzel wont cut it in the NFL, he is not a pocket passer like RG3, and he is an injury waiting to happen due to his size... Hundley would be my choice
     
  6. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    Not a pocket passer? Ha, have you watched him this year?
     
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  7. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    Why is every QB projected to run a 4.6? No way Bridgewater is as fast as Manziel. I don't like Morris, Mettenberger or McCaron at all.
     
  8. Antec

    Antec Member

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    When I saw the "DEFENSE" was going to protect the QB, I stopped reading this thread. The Defense is supposed to force 3 and outs, which means the Offense has to control the time of possession and ball control. Defense wants to be on the field as short as possible, how is that going to protect the QB?

    You confusing the DEFENSE with the OFFENSIVE LINE, shows me you no nothing. :rolleyes:
     
  9. MystikArkitect

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    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.
     
  10. SkyrimOwnsAll

    SkyrimOwnsAll Member

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    its Kevin Sumlin's system, throwing up jump balls wont work in the NFL
     
  11. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    David could play at that level too.
     
  12. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    The one in the Arkansas game was the worst. Simply lobbed it up in the endzone. No one on Arkansas' defense even tried to make a play on the ball.

    That won't work in the NFL.
     
  13. Jimmy Chitwood

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    lol he throws the ball in the pocket just fine. Why does everyone assume he can't throw just because he can run?:rolleyes:
     
  14. Jimmy Chitwood

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    Well thats not very fair. Does he have to play every game like he's auditioning for an NFL team? Mike Evans is a freak and those passes are there.
     
  15. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    Agreed, but they work in college when you have a Charlie Rodgers, Roy Williams, Mike Williams, Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Evans. All he has to do is not throw them in the NFL. Problem solved.

    I'm not sure Manziel will work in the NFL, but his willingness to lob jump balls is a non-factor.

    And when people say he makes bad decisions I can almost guarantee you they're picturing the 40 yard, blind bomb in the Bama game that resulted in a lucky 1st down. Had it been picked it would have been a fine punt. You could tell by Sumlin's reaction on the sideline he told Manziel to go ahead and at least try to make something happen if all else fails, that a pick wouldn't hurt them there.
     
  16. Master Baiter

    Master Baiter Contributing Member

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    <a href="http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi1hODMwNTFkMmVlNTliYmI0"><img src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1344828060898_3191810.png" alt="someecards.com - Hey, **** you! **** you very, very much! **** Face." /></a>
     
  17. BE4RD

    BE4RD Member

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    Running around in circles, carrying the ball like a loaf of bread, won't work either. Plus the guy is 6'0" with heels on. He is going to be a colossal bust at QB in the NFL. I doubt he is drafted in the 1st round.
     
  18. MystikArkitect

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

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    I don't know if he has to play that way...I guess I'd say, no.

    But make no mistake about it...he's absolutely auditioning for an NFL team with his performance on the field every week.

    I don't KNOW that he won't work out in the pros.
     
  20. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    It doesn't, unless someone is saying because he can put up numbers and play well at Fresno, he can do the same in the NFL.
     

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