2015 NFL Draft Prospect: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller
Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs past Clemson Tigers safety Robert Smith (27) for a touchdown in the first half during the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most gifted athletes in the entire 2015 NFL Draft class is Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller.
Miller came to the Buckeyes football program after Terrelle Pryor as one of the most highly touted prospects in the country, and in 2013 he showed the type of progress as a quarterback that has NFL scouts very intrigued about his overall game. With top flight arm strength, elite athleticism and speed, and the ability to create something out of nothing.
While questions remain about his overall ability to be a quarterback at the next level due to the advanced playbook and concepts, Miller is a really interesting prospects with most of the physical skills and then some required of the position.
Early on in his career, it appeared as though Miller might be best fit in the NFL at a different position, possibly at running back or wide receiver, but he improved enough over the course of last year to remain in the top QB discussion. His last season as a Buckeye will be a major determining factor of whether or not he plays QB in the NFL, or whether he lines up elsewhere.
Miller has a very strong arm and is tough to tackle in the open field. If he can develop better consistency and accuracy in the intermediate passing game, he could be a really tough player to defend. He has good pocket awareness but his instinct is not as a pocket QB to step up and step into a throw. His instinct is to rather sprint away from the pursuit, and create something on his own. Other players with similar styles in the NFL have gotten hurt playing in such a way, and Miller has had his share of health concerns while at Ohio State.
His play is not reckless, but quarterbacks are not meant to get hit as often as he does.
With an improved senior season as a passer, I could see Miller getting picked in the first two or three rounds — as a QB. Based strictly off of athletic ability and size, he might be one anyway. This is a really solid athlete and I wanted you to see his game against Michigan State, arguably the best defense in the country last year, to see what he needs to do to progress as a passer. The Spartan defense had Miller on his toes all game.