NFL Draft 2014 Preview (3 page)

Weaknesses:
Has an unorthodox body type with marginal height, rounded shoulders and an underdeveloped body. Will need to learn to do a better job protecting his body and sliding. Feels pocket ghosts and often takes off running at the first flash of coverage. Undisciplined — plays his own offense and presses to make plays. Cannot see over the pocket easily and almost never steps up into it, creating extra difficulties for OL coaches to coordinate blocking schemes and for offensive linemen to anticipate where the pocket will be. Dances around the pocket too much and creates needless sacks rolling into protection when the pocket is clean. Struggled vs. LSU and Missouri when he was forced to stay inside the pocket. Has not worked from under center, and footwork and set-up will require refinement. Often throws the ball up in the air and relies on big receivers to adjust to it and make plays, highly benefiting from the playmaking ability of a talented supporting cast featuring Mike Evans and an offensive line stocked with first-round talent. Tends to overshoot the deep ball and throw off his back foot, leading to some underthrows (too many dirtballs on the move) and diminished accuracy. Needlessly pats the ball when he scans the field. Could stand to do a better job carrying out play-action fakes. Has not developed a reputation as a worker or for doing the extras. Suspect intangibles — not a leader by example or known to inspire by his words. Carries a sense of entitlement and prima-donna arrogance seeking out the bright lights of Hollywood. Is known to party too much and is drawn to all the trappings of the game. Lacks ideal starting experience (only two years), operated a non-traditional offense and has a lot to learn.

Future:
A once-in-a-generation, run-around, ad-lib, sandlot-style quarterback who consistently won games playing a brand of fast-paced, jailbreak football that often goes off script and can be difficult both to game plan with and against. Is most comfortable on the move outside the pocket where he can find open throwing lanes and see the field and will command mush rush and extra spy defenders. Has defied the odds and proven to be a great college-system quarterback, but still must prove he is willing to work to be great, adjust his hard-partying, Hollywood lifestyle and be able to inspire his teammates by more than his playmaking ability. Overall character, leadership ability and work habits will define his NFL career. Rare competitiveness and third-down efficiency could carry him a long way, yet he could be challenged to avoid a Ryan Leaf-like, crash-and-burn scenario if he does not settle down and mature. A high-risk, high-reward pick, Manziel stands to benefit from entering the NFL at a time when moving pockets are trending.

Draft projection:
Top-50 pick.

Scout’s take:
“Manziel is the master of improvise. His mechanics are horrible. He is chaos in the pocket. There is is no pressure and he does a reverse pivot and starts running and throws on the run. You see little jump passes. I would not build my franchise around him. I put him in the third round for the league, but I wouldn’t want him. There is nothing traditional or orthodox about him. … Michael Vick was the same way — running, scrambling, moving around — they don’t like the pocket. …There are some (scouts) in our building that put huge grades on him. Someone is going to get enamored with him. The key is — you better know how to manage him.”

QB JEFF MATHEWS, #9

CORNELL
>
Grade: 5.20

Ht: 6-3 3/4 | Wt: 223 | Sp: 5.23 | Arm: 32 1/8 | Hand: 10 1/8

History:
Admires his sister, Katie, who is a quadriplegic after a 2006 auto accident. The California prep also played basketball and was not offered an FBS scholarship. Named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2010 after completing 172-of-314 passes for 1,723 yards (54.8 percent) with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games (nine starts). Became the first Big Red freshman to earn a varsity start. Won the Bushnell Cup (Ivy League Player of the Year) in ’11 after tossing 250-368-3,412-25-11 (70.0) in 10 starts and setting the league record for passing yards. Threw for 251-405-3,196-18-11 (62.0) in nine starts to lead the conference in attempts, completions and passing yards in ’12. Missed the Monmouth game with a neck injury and dealt with a right knee injury during second half of season. Recorded 228-360-2,953-22-13 (63.3) in nine starts in ’13, missing only the Columbia game with a concussion. Three-time team captain (first in Cornell history). Finished his career with 47 school records, 18 Ivy League records, nine rushing touchdowns and a 12-25 record in 37 starts.

Strengths:
Experienced, four-year starter. Very good arm strength. Good decision maker — works through progressions. Fine accuracy and placement — places the ball well. Highly intelligent, extremely determined, vocal team leader with an intricate command of the offense. Is given a lot of pre-snap responsibility to read defenses and audible into the right play. Outstanding football intelligence. Fiery on-field temperament. Challenges his teammates. Good eyes, anticipation and awarenesss. Coach on the field. Is very tough and battles through injuries. Outstanding production — re-wrote the school’s record books.

Weaknesses:
Marginal athlete. Limited mobility to avoid the rush and buy time with his feet. Can do a better job sensing pressure and hastening his release. Relies too much on his arm. Accuracy diminishes on the move. Struggles to manipulate his arm and release the ball from multiple angles. Average setup and release quickness.

Future:
Very driven, Ivy-League pocket passer with physical limitations that could relegate him to a backup role in the pros. Is the type who can be trusted to step in with limited practice reps and finish a game. Might have the most long-term potential as a coach, yet has the intangible qualities that could allow him to stick in the league for 10-plus years. Has traits to surprise as a spot-starter once he acclimates to the pro game.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

QB AJ McCARRON, #12

alabama
>
Grade: 5.65

Ht: 6-3 1/4| Wt: 220 | Sp: 4.94 | Arm: 31 1/2 | Hand: 10

History:
Given name is Raymond. His younger brother, Corey, is a tight end for the Crimson Tide. The Alabama prep threw for 66 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a three-year starter. Redshirted in 2009. Saw action in all 13 games in ’10, including eight as a reserve quarterback, and completed 30-of-48 passes for 389 yards (62.5 percent) with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Was primarily the holder for field goals and extra points. Became the starter in ’11 and led Alabama to a National Championship after tossing 219-328-2,634-16-5 (66.8) in 13 games. Led the nation with a 175.28 passer efficiency in ’12 and the Crimson Tide to back-to-back National Championships after posting 211-314-2,933-30-3 (67.2). The 30 TD passes set the school record while playing through shoulder and knee injuries. Had a standout senior campaign in ’13, winning the Maxwell Award (college football Player of the Year), the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Set the Alabama record for passing yards after tossing 226-336-3,063-28-7 (67.3) in 13 starts. Had a 36-4 record in 40 career starts with all four losses coming to opponents ranked in the Top 15. Team captain.

Strengths:
Well-versed operating a pro-style offense and makes NFL-style progression reads. Is comfortable working from under center and in the gun. Mobile enough to sidestep the first wave. Good field vision, timing and anticipation. Very good short-to-intermediate accuracy (evidenced by a 66.9 percent career completion rate). Throws with accuracy on the move — good wrist snap. Delivers the ball under duress. Has enough arm strength to fit the ball into spots. Consistent throwing mechanics — has a smooth stroke. Good caretaker and decision-maker. Mature leader. Smart and articulate. Highly competitive team leader — holds teammates accountable. Very well-prepared. Directed back-to-back national championship offenses.

Weaknesses:
Surrounded by an NFL-caliber supporting cast with a very good offensive line that provides a lot of time to dissect the field. Does not have a big-time, vertical arm. Average athlete. Makes occasional bone-headed decisions. Heaves the deep ball and forces receivers to make adjustments. Does not drive the deep out.

Future:
An efficient game-managing quarterback who has shown he can carry an offense at times throughout his career, but more often is dependent on a terrific supporting cast. Grades out most highly for his intangibles and decision-making, knowing when and where to go with the ball, and could earn an NFL starting job.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I’m bending on McCarron. Does he have enough arm talent when protection breaks down? Nothing breaks down for him in college. …As much as I like him, he always had a ton of weapons. I don’t get wowed by his game. He’s good, not great. I thought he really struggled to rally the team and make plays and be productive vs. Colorado State. I put him in the second. I couldn’t put him in the first. With quarterbacks — sometimes it shocks you where they go. You think, ‘That guy went there?!’ He is as prepared as any of the others. He is big, athletic enough and runs a pro-style offense. There are qualities about him to like.”

QB ZACH METTENBERGER, #8

lsu
>
Grade: 5.27

Ht: 6-4 7/8 | Wt: 224 | Sp: 5.20e | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
The Georgia prep graduated early and enrolled at the University of Georgia in January 2009 and redshirted in the fall. Was arrested in March ’10 and pleaded guility to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery and was dismissed from the Bulldogs. Spent the ’10 campaign leading Butler County CC (Kan.) to an 11-1 record and the JUCO National Championship game after completing 176-of-299 passes for 2,678 yards (58.9 percent) with 32 touchdowns and four interceptions. Transferred to LSU in ’11, seeing limited action in five games and posted 8-11-92-1-0 (72.7). Made all 13 starts in ’12 and threw for 207-352-2,609-12-7 (58.8). In ’13, logged 192-296-3,082-22-8 (64.9) in 12 starts. Did not play in the Outback Bowl against Iowa after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee against Arkansas in the regular-season finale. Is the only LSU quarterback to throw for 2,500 or more yards in back-to-back seasons. Two-time team captain and had a 19-6 record in 25 starts at LSU and 30-7 as a collegiate QB. Did not work out at the Combine because of knee injury.

Strengths:
Exceptional size. Outstanding arm strength — spins it with velocity and can make all the throws. Can drill the deep out and fit it into a tight window across the field throwing to his left. Ran an NFL-style offense under coordinator Cam Cameron and learned how to become more of a leader as a senior.

Weaknesses:
Heavy-footed with a long delivery, which translates to the pocket closing on him quickly when he moves and is forced off a spot. Takes unnecessary sacks and is rattled easily under duress. Really labors to hasten his release and get rid of the ball quickly when needed. Has tunnel vision and arms the ball too much. Tends to trigger late and frequently underthrows the deep ball. Does not throw receivers open and forces them to adjust. Can learn to take pace off the ball and throw with more touch, better timing and anticipation. Had a very strong supporting cast with NFL-caliber receivers and a stout offensive line. Weight fluctuated early in his career and arrived at LSU pushing 260 pounds. Is coming off an ACL injury and will require some rehabilitation time. Character will require closer scrutiny.

Future:
Pure dropback, strong-armed thrower who will require patient, confidence-building play-calling and a clean pocket to function at a high level in the NFL. Has starter talent in a vertical, downfield passing attack if he can learn to take command of a huddle and continue progressing as a decision-maker. How he interviews with teams could go a long way toward determining his draft status.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He was immature when he first got to college, but he has settled down. We interviewed him. He’s a little aloof. He has not had a strong father figure in his life. He is smart enough to figure it out if he is in the right system. He improved this year. What you have to figure out is how much the ACL (injury) is going to hurt him. I think it’ll drop him a couple rounds, and I didn’t have him graded highly to begin with. I think those receivers made him. Look how often they have to adjust to the ball.”

QB STEPHEN MORRIS, #17

miami (fla.)
>
Grade: 5.20