Brady Gustafson, QB, Montana: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Although Brady Gustafson and current Bears quarterback Mike Glennon do not look alike, their styles of play are eerily similar. Their heights, weights, arm strength and even lack of experience are reminiscent of one another.
However, while Glennon will be making $15 million each of the next three seasons, Gustafson will only cost a late-round draft pick. Seems inexpensive for someone who could develop into a starting quarterback.
Measurables
Height: 6’6″ (same as Glennon)
Weight: 230 lbs (Glennon is 232)
Strengths
His height and weight are obviously tantalizing. He also has long limbs, and although he’s not the greatest athlete, he’s not afraid to scramble and is faster than he looks.
Gustafson can flat out chuck the ball. He loves to throw the deep ball, and he can place it well enough that his receivers can make a play. The latter is something scouts covet.
Not afraid to step up and make throws into tight spots. He’s aggressive and has considerable velocity on his passes, allowing him to make throws down the field while also having the ability to make short throws all over the field, including the sideline.
He’s also described as a humble leader and a tireless worker. Gustafson was named team captain this past season in 2016.
Weaknesses
Takes snaps in shotgun formation pretty much every play. He doesn’t seem comfortable taking snaps under center, which he’ll have to work on if he wants to succeed in the pros.
His delivery is not quick enough. He tends to stare down his targets before passing the ball, and as a result, his throws get batted regularly. Gustafson has to get the ball out quicker and has to stop staring down his targets. He could also benefit from developing some touch on his throws. If he can’t, he’ll be a poor man’s Brock Osweiler.
Montana is an FCS school. As a result, Gustafson hasn’t faced any defense coming anywhere close to what his counterparts saw in the FBS, let alone what he’ll soon see in the NFL.
Durability is perhaps the biggest red flag with the Montana product. He only started 16 games in his college career. He played the first seven games before breaking his leg in 2015 and 2016, and he missed a few more games with another leg injury.
Bottom Line
He’s a rather intriguing prospect that came from a relatively unknown football program. His stats are tough to argue with even though injuries shortened his career. He possesses many admirable traits that could carry him through a nice, lengthy NFL career.
His uncanny resemblance with Mike Glennon is a legitimate basis for comparison, as they both started their last two seasons in college and shared many other physical traits. Also, look at Mike Glennon’s draft profile and compare it to Gustafson’s characters. The Montana alum should come off the board in the last two rounds of April’s draft.