NFL Mocks Prospect Rankings: Top 5 Quarterbacks
By Josh Sanchez
We are just over 83 days away from the 2010 NFL Draft and the scouting process is in full effect. Over the next few days, I will be releasing the top five rankings by position.
Up first is the quarterbacks:
1. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Clausen has received high praise since he first entered Notre Dame. His first season for the Fighting Irish left a lot to be desired, but Clausen has since developed into one of the best pocket passers in the nation.
The Golden Domer needs to improve his short range accuracy — he often puts too much juice on the ball and receivers are forced to adjust. He throws a very nice mid-range ball with an excellent long ball.
Clausen has benefited from running a pro-style offense and the snaps under center have attributed to his footwork, which may be the best out of any QB this draft has to offer.
Many question his leadership, however, his teammates will often speak very high of Clausen’s control of the huddle.
There is no question that Clausen is the premier quarterback in this class.
Grade: Top 10 pick
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2. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Bradford could have been a top five pick if he entered the 2009 draft. His decision to return to Oklahoma did more harm than good. We are still left with concerns of his toughness and ability to throw under pressure. Bradford also lacks elite arm strenghth.
What Bradford lacks in arm strength, he makes up for in accuracy. The former Heisman Trophy winner is the most accurate passer in the 2010 class.
While he has served a majority of his college career in the shotgun, Bradford does have some experience under center and that has resulted in more pro routes and progressions than the other quarterbacks in this draft.
His accuracy and quick release will land him in the first-round and he still has room to improve.
Grade: Top 25 pick
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3. Colt McCoy, Texas
McCoy has been one of college football’s biggest stars during his career at the University of Texas. Unfortunately, McCoy lacks the arm strength or size to be considered an elite NFL prospect. McCoy is an incredibly accurate passer and he has the leadership ability that many teams will appreciate. He is also an incredibly mobile quarterback.
Reports as recent as January 19th point to some scouts and general managers considering McCoy at the end of round one.
Whoever selects McCoy needs to realize that he will not be ready to contribute immediately. He will benefit from a year or two on the bench, and if the system is a good fit — West Coast Offense — McCoy could eventually mature into a star quarterback at the pro level.
Grade: 2nd round
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4. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
LeFevour is one of the best athletes at quarterback. LeFevour is in elite company when it comes to his college production. He became the second player in NCAA history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards. He also joined Tim Tebow as the only player to pass for 20 touchdowns and score 20 on the ground.
Unlike Colt McCoy, LeFevour also brings the size that NFL scouts prefer. He is an excellent playmaker that brings the ability to extend a play and he does a good job at keeping his eyes down the field to find the open receiver.
LeFevour will need to improve his footwork from under center and he also needs to speed up his release.
Grade: late 2nd – early 3rd
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5. Tim Tebow, Florida
Perhaps the greatest college football player of all-time, Tim Tebow enters the draft process with the most questions about his ability to transfer into the pros.
You will never hear anyone doubt Tebow’s leadership, toughness, ability to win, and competitveness, however, he has some major flaws in his game that will raise questions about his NFL stock.
Tebow needs a lot of work under center and he needs a major overhaul when it comes to his release. Before he throws the ball, Tebow lowers it to his thigh pad and then winds up. This motion in the NFL will result in an unbelievable amount of interceptions.
The Gator star has also displayed questionable decision making during the Senior Bowl. Tebow would often struggle reading the pass coverages and either decide to dump the ball off or scramble. If he decides to run the way he did in college, Tebow could have a short NFL career.
Some team will take a risk on Tebow, but it is important to note he is nothing more than a situational role player and project quarterback at this point. He does throw a beautiful deep ball and could develop into a serviceable NFL qb, but if he will ever reach the stardom he had at Florida a team better be willing to completely change their offense.
Grade: 3rd round
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Honorable Mention: Tony Pike, Cincinnati