2016 NFL Draft: Which QBs Will Fail/Exceed Expectations?
By Erik Lambert
The quarterbacks will hold center stage for the 2016 NFL draft, just like every other year. What fans want to know is who among them, if any will exceed the expectations already placed for them? Also who might fall short of them? This question was posed to the Mocks crew in another roundtable to find out who might be worth believing in.
Rodney Stokes:
Fails – Christian Hackenberg – he has a lot of talent but after being pummeled in college and playing in a weak system it may be too much for him to overcome in the pros.
Exceeds – Brandon Allen – He’s not a big guy and he’s made some poor mistakes in his career but if he can get to a team that has weapons available, then he may find success in this league.
Shawn Spencer:
Fails – Although it seems his draft stock is coming back down to Earth, I think Paxton Lynch will fall short of the expectations that come with being a likely first-round pick. It’s going to take time for him to learn the NFL game and I just don’t see him improving in all the aspects of the game he needs to improve in. Accuracy being first and foremost. He struggles in the intermediate areas of the field, where over 60 percent of NFL throws are made. He’s got the size and the mobility, but there are too many traits in which he is lacking.
Exceeds – Someone I can see exceeding expectations is Cody Kessler, simply because there really aren’t any expectations for him at the next level. He’s gone through four different head coaches and numerous changes on the offensive line. He has very high mental toughness and decision-making skills. He’ll be a long-term number two QB who can spot start when needed.
Jeffrey Thomas:
I think Lynch will disappoint. His mechanics are questionable and he strikes me as a product of a system. A guy I think will impress is Brandon Doughty. He’s so accurate and he has enough arm strength to be effective at the next level.
Eric Robinson:
Fails – QB Connor Cook: Possesses NFL size and production at MSU, but the inaccuracy is an issue and I believe the deficiencies in the leadership department was more of an issue than we think. I’m not quite sure that those red flags won’t showcase themselves at the NFL level.
Exceeds – Tie: Cardale Jones and Dak Prescott: Two different styles however both offer enough potential on film to be successful in their own realm. Prescott has the mobility, the frame, and I saw enough at the Senior Bowl that showed me he can be molded into a productive QB.
For Cardale Jones, the rocket arm, the confidence, and the way he handled himself in pressure-filled circumstances in the CFB playoff. All Cardale needs is a tough minded, hard-nosed coaching staff as well as set of teammates.
Erik Lambert:
Fails – Carson Wentz: From a physical standpoint, Carson Wentz has the tools of an NFL-caliber quarterback. That is not in question. The problem for me is if he was this good, why did he not end up at a bigger school? He’s going to find the speed of the pro level is a massive jump up from what he was seeing at North Dakota State. Pretty much every quarterback who has attempted to make that leap has failed to adjust.
Exceeds – Paxton Lynch: Most people are already beginning to write Lynch off because of his fundamental issues like technique, mechanics and ball placement. Understand that those kinds of problems are coachable. Lynch proved in 2015 that he could play well against top competition. He had 384 yards and three TDs against Ole Miss, a team loaded with NFL prospects. He also hung 34 points on Houston, who finished the year 13-1 and ranked 18th in the country. This kid is big, mobile and has a live arm. All he needs is time. Time to work out the kinks in his game.