Josh Rosen Already The Most Polarizing 2018 NFL Draft Prospect

There is no greater intrigue for the 2018 NFL draft next April than what will happen with their crop of quarterbacks. To the surprise of nobody.

However, this QB group is unique. It’s felt that three possible names have the potential to be the #1 overall pick. The most popular right now is USC standout Sam Darnold, riding the hype after his outstanding Rose Bowl performance against Penn State. There’s also the uber-athletic and rocket-armed Josh Allen out of Wyoming with all the potential in the world. Perhaps the forgotten name of late has been Josh Rosen out of UCLA.

Scouts remain enamored with his mix of physical skills and clear intelligence. He has every tool required for superstardom. Yet for one reason or another he’s not reaching that potential in college. Some blame the persistent injury issues. Others his mercurial work ethic brought on by a questionable love of the game. This has left the opinions on him split.

Matt Hayes of Bleacher Report broke it down in a concise manner.

"“Josh Rosen, UCLA’s strong-armed, free-spirited quarterback, is the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Or he’s the next Christian Hackenberg.Josh Rosen is the most physically gifted college quarterback since a guy named Elway. Or he’s a social activist with no true love for the game—only the platform it gives him.“I’ve pretty much heard it all,” Rosen says.But who and what to believe? Those Rosen statements were told to Bleacher Report from four different NFL scouts, personnel people in charge of grading one of the most talented yet polarizing college football players in years.All four agree that in all of 19 career games at UCLA, Rosen has displayed off-the-charts ability. None can agree how it will play out over an NFL career.One scout says Rosen will eventually get “bored” with football, turn his sights to “changing the world” and be gone within four years. One says he’s the next Aaron Rodgers.”"

Rosen will be made or broken by his own commitments

The injury issues are certainly something to monitor, but there is no question that teams will be watching Rosen closely for another reason. Nothing scares a franchise more than drafting a player high who has questions of love for the game. It takes a certain passion to play football. As emphasized by the many players who retire young these days. No team is going to buy into him if they don’t believe he’s going to give them 100% in return.

In other words he has a lot of proving to do over the next few months. Otherwise his mission of becoming the top pick in the draft will be undercut by the cold reality of NFL business. Hackenberg is a fair comparison. He too was a freshman phenom who completely fell apart through the remainder of his college years. Rosen is in danger of doing the same.