2017 NFL Draft: 5 Reasons Why Deshaun Watson will be First Pick

Reason Two: Measureables

A lack of height has pushed talented quarterbacks such as Drew Brees and Russell Wilson out of the draft’s first round. Weight, whether too light or too heavy, can raise red flags and create questions about desire or durability. Even hand size has heavily influenced QB rankings prior to the draft, especially for teams playing in cold weather. While Watson’s official hand measurement won’t be known for another nine months, he does meet the NFL’s thresholds for height and weight.

Clemson lists Watson at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. While some schools have been known to skew measurements in the player’s favor, the Tigers appear to be accurate. Of the nine Clemson prospects selected in the 2016 draft, only two measured more than five eighths of an inch shorter than their listed height. The same can be said about weight as the average difference between listed weight and actual weights from the Combine or pro day was only three pounds. Not bad considering the school’s measurements are taken before the season and are typically rounded up to the nearest inch. So let’s say Watson is actually 6-foot-1 and change, 205 pounds. While he doesn’t possess the size of Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, he’s not small enough to warrant dropping in the draft.

Speed is another measureable that should go in Watson’s favor. He not only has the mobility to escape pressure and extend plays, but he also possesses the speed and agility to gain significant yardage with his legs. Mobile quarterbacks unproven at the NFL level, whether it’s Marcus Mariota in the draft or Brock Osweiler in free agency, have garnered tons of attention from teams trying to acquire the next great dual-threat QB.

Next: Reason Three