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2022 NFL Draft Thread

Discussion in 'Houston Texans' started by gucci888, Oct 24, 2021.

  1. cmoak1982

    cmoak1982 Member
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    This is what I don’t get. The progress he made towards end of season is super promising.
    Off platform arm talent, started using some of his mobility, processing speed, elite deep ball accuracy. That is the stuff that makes QBs elite in todays game and he showed flashes of doing it. With literally the worst talent in the league to throw to, bottom 5 in rushing and bottom 5 in Oline
     
  2. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    https://theathletic.com/3415147/2022/07/12/nfl-draft-2023-qb-scouting/

    1. *C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (6-3, 220)

    Best trait: Touch and anticipation
    Stroud was the best quarterback prospect I watched last season in college football — and he got better and better as the season progressed, culminating in a remarkable Rose Bowl performance.

    Over his final nine games: 74.7% completions, 385.8 yards per game, 36-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

    Over his final four games: 79.8% completions, 440.0 yards per game, 19-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

    Rose Bowl performance: 80.4% completions, 537 yards, 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

    Stroud checks the boxes physically, but his instincts as a passer are what really elevate his game, especially considering he was only a redshirt freshman last season. He anticipates and layers throws exceptionally well with a delicate touch that ensures his receivers don’t have to work for the catch.

    Against Utah in the Rose Bowl, Stroud had a number of highlight-reel throws, but this was my favorite. Jaxon Smith-Njigba lines up in the backfield and wraps the under coverage over the middle. He is covered up when Stroud pulls the trigger, but the quarterback anticipates the window and puts the ball right over the shoulder of 2022 first-rounder Devin Lloyd, hitting Smith-Njigba in stride, which allows him to create.

    Must improve: Utilizing his mobility
    Only a redshirt freshman last season, Stroud has several areas where he can mature, especially with his feet and timing. One of the frustrating parts of his film was his reluctance to tuck, run and pick up positive yards with his legs. To his credit, Stroud exhausts all of his reads and keeps his eyes downfield, searching for a last-second window. But when there is wide-open pasture for the taking in front of him, he needs to realize the gift and take advantage.

    2022 season/2023 NFL Draft outlook
    Replacing Justin Fields, who led the Buckeyes to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances in his two seasons as the starter, was an unenviable task. At this point last year, no one was quite sure how the Ohio State quarterback situation would play out, especially with a pair of highly-ranked true freshmen (Kyle McCord and Quinn Ewers) in the fold. But it was Stroud who won the starting job and emerged as a star, leading Ohio State to an 11-win season, including a historic Rose Bowl performance.

    Stroud certainly benefits from Ryan Day’s offense and the elite talent around him, including a pair of first-round receivers in the 2022 class and a few more coming through the pipeline. But isolating the quarterback and his traits, Stroud’s passing anticipation and even-keeled focus on each play are remarkable. His quarter-by-quarter splits? Almost identical. On third downs? 75.6% completions. His awareness doesn’t waver regardless of situation.

    Stroud is a steady and generous facilitator: He trusts that his receivers are going to be where they need to be, and he delivers a catchable ball so receivers don’t have to work too hard for it. I’ll bet on those traits every day.

    2. *Bryce Young, Alabama (5-11, 197)

    Best trait: Poise and processing
    Stroud was the best quarterback prospect I saw last season, but Young wasn’t far behind. Young’s list of strengths as a quarterback is extensive, but at the top are the two Ps: poise and processing. He is patient yet assertive, as well as composed, but routinely able to make the spontaneous decision. Young does a great job keeping his feet connected with his eyes to alter his platforms, eliminate things quickly and find the vulnerable matchup downfield.

    What do a lot of the top quarterbacks in the NFL have in common? They make you pay for blitzing them. That is precisely what Young did repeatedly in last year’s film. On this third-and-eight play against LSU, Young reads the overload pressure pre-snap and knows the middle of the field should be open if he can buy enough time. He stays poised, retreats in the pocket and executes the throw for a first down.

    Must improve: Off-balance mechanics
    The obvious concern with Young’s game is his lack of size and limited frame, but that is an issue that will follow him throughout his career. An area where he can improve is his tendency to deliver without resetting his base, which can hurt his ball placement downfield (see his third quarter interception vs. Auburn). With his processing skills, Young’s field vision should continue to improve with experience, giving him more time to establish his throwing mechanics.

    2022 Season/2023 NFL Draft outlook
    The No. 1 quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class, Young bided his time behind Mac Jones as a freshman before taking over as the starter last season, leading Alabama to the national championship game. He finished second in the FBS in passing touchdowns (47) and passing yards (4,872) and deservedly took home the Heisman Trophy. Young will lose several key playmakers from the 2021 Alabama offense, including the team’s leading rusher, top two receivers and the Tide’s top offensive lineman. But with the way Alabama reloads each year, the talent around the quarterback shouldn’t be an issue.

    The Russell Wilson comparison for smaller quarterbacks is redundant and tiresome. But the reason you see Wilson in Young’s game isn’t the lack of size, it is the problem-solving ability. Although Young isn’t as thick as Wilson and isn’t the same type of rush threat, they are both athletic, quick-minded players who possess an uncanny feel for making plays. The size concerns will follow Young throughout the draft process and his NFL career, but he will be viewed as the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft by some around the league.

    3. Will Levis, Kentucky (6-4, 230)
    4. *Tanner McKee, Stanford (6-6, 228)
    5. *Anthony Richardson, Florida (6-4, 240)

    Preseason top 20 senior quarterbacks:
    1. Levis
    2. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue (6-3, 212)
    3. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College (6-5, 219)
    4. Devin Leary, NC State (6-1, 217)
    5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-3, 221)
    6. Brennan Armstrong, Virginia (6-1, 210)
    7. Jake Haener, Fresno State (6-0, 209)
    8. Ben Bryant, Cincinnati (6-3, 213)
    9. Clayton Tune, Houston (6-2, 213)
    10. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest (6-1, 210)
    11. Cameron Rising, Utah (6-2, 216)
    12. Jayden Daniels, LSU (6-4, 185)
    13. Kedon Slovis, Pittsburgh (6-3, 212)
    14. Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State (6-1, 219)
    15. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech (6-5, 229)
    16. JT Daniels, West Virginia (6-3, 215)
    17. Tyson Bagent, Shepherd (6-3, 219)
    18. Gerry Bohanon, South Florida (6-3, 229)
    19. Jaren Hall, BYU (6-0, 204)
    20. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA (6-2, 197)

    Preseason top 10 draft-eligible underclassmen:
    1. Stroud
    2. Young
    3. McKee
    4. Richardson
    5. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (Fla.) (6-4, 225)
    6. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (6-3, 210)
    7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (6-1, 210)
    8. D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson (6-4, 250)
    9. Cameron Ward, Washington State (6-2, 225)
    10. Connor Bazelak, Indiana (6-3, 220)
     
    deb4rockets likes this.
  3. deb4rockets

    deb4rockets Contributing Member
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    Definitely someone to watch!!
     

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