NFL teams have poured countless hours and resources into evaluating quarterbacks in the draft that could change the fortune of their franchises.
While some teams have found success, others had to go back to the drawing because their young quarterbacks have struggled at the professional level.
There could be as many as six quarterbacks taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, but will these players be able to compete at the professional level?
NFL network analyst Daniel Jeremiah contends that some teams are still struggling with their evaluations of quarterbacks.
“I think that seems to be a conversation I have a lot with teams around the league is, okay, A, do we take him? Then do we put him out there right away? Do we have the infrastructure for him to survive and be successful? That seems to be a little bit more of the focus on that.”
This year’s class of quarterbacks that could be taken in the first round include Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU) J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), and Bo Nix (Oregon).
A second tier of quarterbacks that could be selected in the second or third rounds includes Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Devin Leary (Kentucky), and Mike Pratt (Tulane).
Of that group, Williams (6-foot 1 and 214 pounds) has the best chance to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears, who could also trade the pick for another team in need of a franchise quarterback.
Williams threw 72 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in his two seasons with the Trojans and won the Heisman Trophy in 2022. He also finished with 21 rushing touchdowns and is the top quarterback prospect.
“In terms of Caleb being the guy, I think he’s just got the most in his body,” Mr. Jeremiah said. “In terms of being able to do everything, to make every type of throw, there’s a physicality to him that I think is an underrated aspect. Just his toughness, be able to pull through tackles, be able to absorb hits, and be durable that way.
“I love that about him. The play-making stuff, the creativity, everybody’s seen all that stuff. I think that’s pretty rare, the things he can do there. But to me, all of the things you want to do in an offense, he can do. So I think he expands your playbook in a big way. And I just think that’s one of the reasons why he’s the top guy.”
The evaluation of quarterbacks by college scouts has evolved over the past 10 to 15 years. There used to be an emphasis on size with the likes of Tom Brady (6-foot 4), Peyton Manning (6-foot 5), and Ben Roethlisberger (6-foot 5) having so much success at the pro level.
Then, teams found that smaller quarterbacks can also thrive in the NFL with Russell Wilson (5’11”), Baker Mayfield (6-foot 1), and Kyler Murray (5-foot 10) able to earn starting jobs.
The new generation of quarterbacks, with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and C.J. Stroud can improvise and beat teams with his arms and legs.
The process will continue to evolve.
“I think it comes down to whether he has the traits and the makeup and all those things? That’s the question there,” Mr. Jeremiah said. “Different styles, that’s not something to get carried away with. To me, it’s more a focus of do we have the right play caller, the right offensive line to protect him, and do we have some guys he can get the ball to?
“I think that seems to be what’s going to lead to these guys being a success or not, more so than even just how good the player at the quarterback position might be. “
