2010 Quarterback Prospects
Scouting Reports
The quarterback position is the single most difficult position to evaluate for a scout because he has to decipher how a player's body of work translates to the next level. NFL teams have made numerous mistakes over the years over-valuing system-quarterbacks, and thus wasting high picks on prospects that were ultra productive at the college level (because of the system they played in), but weren't productive and couldn't make the transition to the next level. It's also very important for a team scouting a quarterback to gauge his mental toughness, work ethic, and his ability to take a hit it at the next level.
-Al Fronczak
FINAL GRADES
Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) (6-2.5, 222)...Jersey number 7...Clausen is the most NFL-ready quarterback prospect coming out for the draft since he ran a pro-style offense under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame...Clausen was a starter at Notre Dame since his freshman year, and has progressed by leaps and bounds during his three years at Notre Dame...Clausen is very fluid in his back-pedal, has good footwork and gets rid of the ball quickly...he's very accurate with his feet set, and on the move and has the arm strength to make all the throws and fit the ball into tight windows...He has also shown to have a nice touch on the football as well...he keeps his eyes down the field at all times, and has a great feel for where and when to throw the football...his pocket awareness and ability to avoid the rush has improved by leaps and bounds since his freshman year, and he has the ability to make a play happen when a play is breaking down...he's considered to be a bit cocky at times, but I like that in a quarterback.
Clausen's play really progressed in the three years at Notre Dame since his touchdown to interception ratio, completion percentage, and quarterback rating improved dramatically in three years...in 2007 Clausen threw 7 TD's with 6 INT's, had a completion percentage of 56.3% and a QB rating of 103.85...in 2008 Clausen threw 25 TD's with 17 INT's, had a completion percentage of 60.9%, and a QB rating of 132.49...in 2009 Clausen threw 28 TD's with just 4 INT's, improved his completion percentage to 68%, and finished with a QB rating of 161.43.
Overall - Clausen was highly touted coming out of high school and was considered to be the nation's top high school football player...Clausen is more prepared to step right into a teams starting lineup, than any other quarterback prospect in this draft...His durability and toughness can't be questioned since he played his final 10 games at Notre Dame with torn ligaments in his right big toe, and didn't miss a beat...I love the fact that his play improved dramatically during his time at Notre Dame and he's used to playing in inclement weather.. His height checked out at the combine, but he has short arms 30 3/4" and his hand length is only 9".
Clausen had a very good pro day workout despite the fact that his foot (toe) isn't 100%. He gained 2 pounds since the combine and bulked up his upper body, which will enhance his arm strength. In my opinion, Clausen is more prepared to step right in and play in his rookie season, than any other prospect in the draft, and has less bust potential than all of the quarterback prospects available for the 2010 NFL Draft.
*FINAL GRADE - Top 10 Overall Pick
Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) (6-4.2, 236)...Jersey number 14...A very tall and lankly prospect...Bradford mainly operated in the shot-gun at Oklahoma and must make the adjustment to taking snaps from under center...his footwork is pretty good, but he appears to throw the ball flat-footed at times, and doesn't always step into his throws...the ball comes out of his hands quickly and he's very accurate throwing the ball from the pocket or on the run...he appears to have enough arm strength to fit the ball into tight windows and make all the throws necessary at the next level, but I'm hoping that he will be able to participate at the Combine to confirm his arm strength...he has good touch on his short to intermediate passes...his mobility is pretty good for a tall quarterback, and his anticipation of where his receivers will be in their routes is very good...his decision making with the football has been good, along with his leadership qualities...Bradford is considered to be a very smart quarterback capable of easily digesting a playbook.
Bradford performed very well behind a solid offensive line in 2007 and 2008 and had time to throw the ball with solid protection...in 2007 and in 2008, Bradford completed 68.7% of his passes, threw a total of 86 TD passes, with 16 interceptions, and was sacked 23 times for a quarterback rating of 178.68...In 2009, Bradford didn't have the luxury of having as much time to throw the football, and his overall performance declined...Bradford's completion percentage dipped to 56.5% in a short season, while throwing 2 TD's and 0 interceptions...He was sacked twice (both times resulted in a shoulder injury) for a quarterback rating of 134.51.
Overall - When Bradford has time to throw the football, he's very accurate, but when pressured, his accuracy declines, as his statistics reveal. He doesn't seem to have a good feel for backside pressure coming into the pocket, and has durability concerns, since he was injured on both of the two sacks that he took in the 2009 season. Because of his slight frame, I question whether he will be able to take a hit at the next level since he sprained an AC joint in his throwing shoulder twice this season. In my opinion, Bradford needs to improve his upper-body strength and overall strength to withstand the pounding that he will take at the next level, but the question remains, can he take a hit?. I have a first round grade on Bradford, but the fact that his statistics declined dramatically this year, in an injury-shortened season, bothers me. I might have a hard time convincing an NFL owner that he's worthy of a top ten pick in the draft, because his play regressed in 2009, his durability concerns, and because of the money risk involved with such a high first-round selection. Before his injury, and based off his 2008 season, Bradford would be considered to be a sure-fire Top 5 pick in the draft, and although he will still likely be taken very high in the draft and possibly number one overall, I can't give him that type of grade at this time.
Bradford had a terrific workout at his pro day, but in my opinion, he helped himself the most by gaining strength in his upper body, in his shoulders and arms, which has improved his arm strength and will help him take a hit better at the next level, plus his right shoulder has been medically cleared and given a clean bill of health. I may be in the minority, but I'm still not 100% sold on Bradford being a sure-fire franchise quarterback, because he has to prove to me that he can withstand the pounding at the next level, improve his pocket presence and make the transition from playing in the system that he was in. However, Bradford will be the first player taken in the draft, much higher than what I have him rated.
*FINAL GRADE - Top 15 Overall Pick
Tim Tebow (Florida) (6-2.6, 236)...Jersey number 15...Tebow is built like a fullback and is very strong runner who should be able to withstand more punishment than a thinly built quarterback at the next level...however, because of his build, he almost looks a bit stiff in his motion...Tebow has a strong enough arm to make all the throws at the next level and is the ultimate gamer, but he needs to work on the flaws in his mechanics....Tebow is working on his footwork, and his delivery by shortening his throwing motion by holding the ball higher than he was used to, which made for his elongated throwing motion...During the week of the Senior Bowl practices, Tebow improved as the week went along, but during the game itself, Tebow reverted back to his old habits of holding the ball below his waist...When Tebow gets used to adjusting his delivery, his confidence in being able to fit the ball in tight spaces will improve, along with his accuracy...but at this time, his accuracy is very inconstant Tebow has flashed the ability to throw accurately on the run and avoid the pass-rush in the pocket...Tebow is a terrific short-yardage and goal-line runner who can be used as a short-yardage and goal-line running back at the next level.
Overall - Tebow has tremendous leadership skills, is ultra-competive, and has a tremendous work ethic...He was super productive at Florida, leading the Gators to two BCS National Championship Titles, and became the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy back in 2007...But Tebow is considered to be a project as an NFL quarterback at this time, because of the adjustments that he must make in his mechanics that will be required of him at the next level...Unlike some of the other quarterback prospects in this draft, Tebow has the ability and size to play as an H-Back, or a goal-line and short yardage back, which enhances his stock for the draft....Some NFL team could fall in love with Tebow, and take a chance on him earlier than suggested, because of his ability to be used in multiple ways, the leadership skills that he will bring to a team, and for public relation purposes.
With solid coaching, and a bunch of patience, Tebow has a chance to develop into a starting quarterback at the next level, if his play on the field responds positively to the coaching that he will receive at the next level...Because of his versatility and popularity, I believe Tebow could be the third quarterback to come off the board, but as a game-ready NFL quarterback prospect, Tebow ranks below all of the other top quarterback prospects in this draft. Tebow has made progress in working on his mechanics and it showed in his pro day workout in Florida. Some team will take a chance on him in the early stages of the second round of the draft.
*FINAL GRADE - Middle Second Round
Jevan Snead (Mississippi) (6-3, 219 )...Jersey number 4...As physically gifted as any quarterback prospect coming out for the draft...Snead has the size and athletic ability that scouts look for in a quarterback prospect, to go along with a very strong arm enabling him to make all the throws at the next level...he has experience in taking snaps from under center and didn't perform in a gimmicky quarterback friendly offense...Snead is one of the toughest quarterback prospects available this year and he's shown that he can be a fiery leader on the sidelines, firing up his troops...The 2008 version of Jevan Snead saw a quarterback that displayed good footwork, balance, was very fluid in his backpedal, and got rid of the football quickly...in 327 pass attempts, Snead was sacked 20 times, but threw 26 TD passes, with 13 interceptions...in 2009, in 351 pass attempts, Snead threw 20 TD passes, and had 20 interceptions, but his sack total went down to 15...the 2009 version of Snead saw a quarterback that was pressing as he tried to make something out of nothing when the play broke down...his sack total shows his sacks went down despite throwing more attempts and having to play behind a worse offensive line, because he often threw the ball away rather than take the sack.
Overall - I watched a bunch of intercut tape on Snead (more than any prospect in a long time) and have come to the conclusion that his play regressed in 2009, because of several reasons...His offensive line wasn't as good in 2009 because of the loss of tackle Michael Oher, his receiving core wasn't as good, since he lost his favorite target Mike Wallace (Steelers) and his 7 TD receptions...in 2009, Snead often had little time to throw the football and he often threw the ball off balance with a defender in his face...Snead's mechanics regressed... Snead's footwork was poor as his feet weren't set, he wasn't stepping into his throws, and he was throwing the football off his back foot...his accuracy suffered and the interceptions began to pile up...Snead was forcing the football down the field to make something out of nothing...as the season progressed, he seemed to lose his confidence in his line and in his receivers.
*Snead is the single most intriguing quarterback prospect that I have ever evaluated because he reminds me of a young Brett Favre coming out of Southern Mississippi...He has the same body type, toughness with the ability to take a hit, athletic ability and gunslinger mentality, along with the interceptions that come with it...Snead's completion percentage of 54.6% isn't what scouts are looking for, but Favre finished with a 53% completion percentage at Southern Miss...Despite the poor season that Snead had, I still believe he has a chance to be a very successful starting quarterbacks at the next level, because he has first-round talent, but he needs to be taken under the wing of a good QB's coach that can work on getting his mechanics (and his confidence) back to where they were during the 2008 season...In my opinion, after Clausen and Bradford come off the board, Snead may have the best tools to work with and develop of any of the other QB prospects in this draft, but will be viewed as a Boom or Bust type pick.
*FINAL GRADE - Early to Middle Third Round
John Skelton (Fordham) (6-5.3, 243)...Jersey number 19...Skelton is a big bodied quarterback with a cannon for an arm...the ball jumps off his hand with ease and has velocity on all of his throws...has a fluid back pedal and gets the ball out of his hands quickly...can drive the ball in tight windows...has displayed good touch on his passes but needs to throw the ball with less velocity on some of his shorter passes...has trouble with his accuracy at times when he throws off balance when under pressure and needs to work on improving his footwork...has good pocket presence, but can get jittery at times under pressure...has sneaky athleticism for a big man and can make a defender miss when trying to avoid a pass rush...can make something out of nothing with his feet when a play breaks down...hasn't faced rop competion and questions have arised about whether he is dedicated enough to spend the amount of time necessary in a film room.
Overall - A big quarterback prospect with sneaky athleticism and the size to look over defenders to go along with a cannon for an arm...Skelton has all the tools to develop into a starting quarterback in the league if he can adjust to the speed of the game at the next level and spend the amount of time necessary in a film room, but he's far from being a finished product at this time. Skelton has the size and arm strength that NFL teams covet, which is why he will come off the board much earlier than expected.
*FINAL GRADE - Early to Middle Third Round
Colt McCoy (Texas) (6-1.1, 216)...Jersey number 12...A very good all around athlete with the ability to keep a defense honest with his ability to run with the football...He's very fluid in his back pedal, has good footwork and gets rid of the football quickly...throws a very catchable football and has been extremely accurate throwing the ball with his feet set and also on the move...has enough arm strength to make all the throws at the next level and has the ability to fit the ball into tight windows and has good leadership qualities...his pocket presence needs to improve and he seems to have trouble sensing backside pressure...has happy-feet in the pocket at times when sensing pressure...he played in a spread offense that had him operate primarily from a shotgun formation...McCoy would be best suited in a West Coast Offense.
Overall - McCoy has been a very successful quarterback in college winning 42 games and he completed 70.1% of his passes during a four-year stay at Texas, but he played in a accuracy-friendly system highlighted by a variety of short passes and played a very friendly schedule which helped his statistics. However, in the three big games that he played this past season, I was very disappointed in McCoy's play. Against Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska combined, McCoy was 65-109, for an accuracy percentage of 59.6%, with just 2 TD's and 6 INT's. McCoy was then injured early in the first quarter against Alabama in the BCS Championship game. In my opinion, McCoy is very tough to evaluate because the more I watched him on tape, the more I felt he had the potential to be a sure-fire starter at the next level, but most of those games were against the likes of Louisiana-Monroe, Utep, Missouri, Baylor and Kansas, but against better competition and in the big games he played, he looked like a very ordinary prospect at best. McCoy's work-ethic is excellent and his understanding of an offense is a tribute to his preparation for the game, but I believe he's overrated and will be taken off the board much higher than what I have him rated.
*FINAL GRADE - Early to Middle Third Round
Tony Pike (Cincinnati) (6-5.6, 223)...Jersey number 15...Has the rare height that scouts look for in a quarterback prospect to be able to see over the line...needs to bulk up because his skinny frame won't hold up at the next level, especially since he already has an injury history at Cincinnati...his inexperience in taking the snap from under center (since he operated primarily out of the shotgun in a fast-break spread offense at Cincinnati) was evident during the week of Senior Bowl practices...Pike needs to work on speeding up his drops, his footwork, and his mechanics and has a tendency to not follow through with his throws, which hurts his accuracy at times...he doesn't always drive the football when he needs to fit the ball in tight spaces...Pike has good mobility for a tall and lanky quarterback and can throw the ball with accuracy on the run, but has been inconsistent at times when he's out of his comfort zone and forced out of the pocket...Has enough arm strength to make all the throws, but doesn't spin it like some of the other top prospects, but should be able to improve his arm strength, since he will be asked to bulk up to play at the next level.
Overall - Has the height that NFL teams look for in a quarterback, has is more athletic that given credit for...He's been very productive at Cincinnati, but he's only a two year starter with durability issues to overcome, and is a long way from being a finished product...*Pike has some tools to work with and could develop into a starting quarterback down the road at the next level, but NFL teams must decide whether Pike was just a product of the system at Cincinnati.
*FINAL GRADE - Early Fourth Round
Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan) (6-3.2, 230)...Jersey number 13...Has good size for a quarterback prospect, is smart and is a good athlete...played in a spread offense at CMU and must get used to taking the ball from under center...has average arm strength and lacks velocity on the ball at times, but has good touch on his passes... Doesn't spin the ball the way some of other QB prospects are able to...has been inconsistent at times throwing the ball both with his feet set and on the run...has happy feet when pressured in the pocket...played in a very QB friendly system where most of his throws were high percentage passes (bubble screens, smoke screens and check downs)...his strength is having pretty good pocket presence and the ability to make a play happen with his feet.
Overall - I watched a bunch of tape on LeFevour and have come to the conclusion that his inconsistent arm strength (the ball doesn't come out of his hand the same way all the time) is due to him having small hands
(9 1/4") and with that, the inability to consistently grip the football tightly...There were games where his deep ball looked good, but other games when he would float his deep passes, the same can be said for some of his intermediate routes where he lacked zip on his passes at times...He also seems to tuck the ball and run with it when he isn't able to read coverages, rather than be patient in the pocket and let a play develop.
LeFevour was a four-year starter at CMU and is the only quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 2,500 yards, but in my opinion, he reminds me a bit of a poor-mans Shaun Hill and isn't a sure-fire starting quarterback prospect at this time.
*FINAL GRADE - Late Fifth Round
Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee) (6-3, 222)...Jersey number 8...Has good size and more than enough arm strength to make all the throws...has good balance, pretty good mobility and can throw acurately on the run...was highly inaccurate and inconsitant before his game really progressed under Lane Kiffin in 2009.
*Could be selected late in the draft, based on his play in the latter half of the 2009 season.
*FINAL GRADE - Early Sixth Round
Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State) (6-2.1, 214)...Jersey number 11...Has enough arm strength to make all the throws, but will struggle at times when forced to drive the ball into tight windows...has sneaky athleticism...
accuracy is a questionmark when pressured...has a history of concussions...Has the look of a career backup,
but has the talent level to play in the league.
*FINAL GRADE - Early Sixth Round
Levi Brown (Troy) (6-3.1, 229)...Jersey number 12...Has good size and arm strength, and his set-up and delivery reminds me a bit of former Bills QB Jim Kelly...Brown isn't a threat with his feet, but he's sneaky-athletic with the ability to avoid the rush in the pocket...Brown has the toughness and leadership qualities to have a chance at the next level.
*FINAL GRADE - Early Sixth Round
Mike Kafka (Northwestern) (6-2.7, 225)...Jersey number 13...Has above average arm strength, but floats his deep ball at times...has good accuracy on short to intermediate routes when he gets into a rhythm...can make plays with his feet because of his football instincts and quickness (6.96 3-cone time), but isn't as fast (4.93 forty-time) as he looks on tape...Kafka had a terrific throwing session for scouts at his pro day workout and has a chance to develop into a backup quarterback role at the next level. *Reminds me a bit of Tyler Thigpen of the Dolphins.
*FINAL GRADE - Middle Sixth Round
Jarrett Brown (West Virginia) (6-2.7, 224)...Jersey number 16...An athletic type quarterback prospect with very good arm strength, but a thin lower body...His throwing motion is a bit long but the ball really comes out of his hands and he can really spin it...his accuracy struggles at times when he forces the football...his mechanics and footwork need to be worked on...Can make plays with his feet and improvise when in trouble...He must work on the mental part of his game. *A raw development type quarterback prospect with only one year of starting experience. He has the tools to work with, but it's going to take him time with the mental aspect of the game.
*FINAL GRADE - Middle Sixth Round
(Priority Free Agents)
Matt Nichols (Eastern Washington) (6-1.6, 220)...Jersey number 18...A very athletic quarterback prospect with good arm strength and leadership skills...Can make all the throws at the next level...Has displayed good accuracy, touch, and the ability to throw accurately on the run...Knows when and where to throw the football... Threw for 12,616 yards and 95 touchdowns in four years at EWU but never faced top competition in the Big Sky Conference...performed very well in the week of practice at the Shrine Game and caught the attention of scouts and NFL personnel on hand...Wasn't invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis...Reminds me a little bit of a young Rich Gannon...*A sleeper prospect that is considered to be a development type quarterback at this stage.
Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic) (6-5, 224)...A nice size quarterback with enough arm strength to make all the throws at the next level...has good field vision and the ability to go through his progressions...has good pocket presence and looks the part...has an injury history.
Chris Turner (Maryland) (6-4, 220)...A tall quarterback with above average arm strength...has average accuracy but needs to get in a rhythm to be effective...has pretty good mobility for a big man and can escape the rush in the pocket to make a play...A three-year starter in a tough ACC conference.
(Free Agents)
Ryan Perrilloux (Jacksonville State)
6-2 218
Sean Canfield (Oregon State)
6-3.6 223
Bill Stull (Pittsburgh)
6-3 215
Trevor Harris (Edinboro)
6-2 225
Tim Hiller (Western Michigan)
6-4 229
Joey Elliott (Purdue)
6-2 216
Daryll Clark (Penn State)
6-1.7 235
Billy Cundiff (Ashland)
6-2 218
