My take on 2018 QBs

boozer32 · Apr 16, 2018

Big Cat said: ↑

2). Josh Rosen, UCLA

The best quarterback in the draft when kept clean. Has prototypical height and release/footwork that are borderline perfect. Every fundamental is what you'd design if you could build a QB from scratch. These perfect mechanics lead him to be the only QB in the top 4 that can consistently hit deep passes (Mayfield tends to underthrow, Allen overthrows, Darnold sprays). Precision passing into tight windows is best in class. Anticipation on out-breaking throws is outstanding. Enough arm strength to make any throw and willingly does so with ease. Like Darnold, is reluctant to settle for checkdowns, challenging the defense downfield whenever possible. Stands tall in the pocket in the face of pressure and does not shy away from contact (follows through even through a hit).

The primary concern that keeps him below Darnold for me is his reaction to pressure. His mobility is very poor and his game deteriorates when forced off of his spot. Most alarming is his need to reset his feet outside of the pocket instead of throwing on the run. He suffered several big hits and fumbles over this in college and it won't fly in the NFL either. He needs to get better at throwing on the move instead of trying to reset. He has decent pocket awareness but his movements are often too subtle to make a difference. He'll feel a pass rusher coming and slide up in the pocket, but it's such a slight movement that he's sometimes still in reach of the defender. There are times where this subtlety is a good thing but others where ne needs to move more to avoid the rush. His willingness to stand tall and throw when a big hit is imminent leads to concerning shots to his less than full frame. Will occasionally neglect an underneath defender and throw into coverage.

Comparison: Eli Manning. Another one I'm pretty comfortable with. The pocket mechanics, lack of mobility and relative aggressiveness make them very similar. Eli also resets his feet outside of the pocket instead of throwing on the move. People are comparing Rosen to Matt Ryan, but I think the latter is more mobile.
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This is who I hope the Jets get.

NYJetsO12 · Apr 16, 2018

What is the kids Agent says the Jets Coaching staff and the Johnsons are inept ..draft him but trade him like SD/Giants did with Eli..the entire Fanbase will be on tranquilizers lmao

This is a worse nightmare than Mac drafting Jackson and to lesser extent Allen

Big Cat · Apr 25, 2018

And my one and only QB mock...

1). Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold (USC)
After a whole lot of smokescreening and misinformation, the Browns use the first overall pick on the draft's best QB

2). Buffalo Bills (from NYG): Josh Allen (Wyoming)
Everyone has either Barkley or Chubb pegged here with Darnold gone, but I think we're really underestimating how desperate the Bills are. Their only QB options are AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman; they HAVE to come out of the first round with a QB and they have tons of ammo to do so. Ultimately I truly believe Gettleman doesn't want to deal this pick (I think his Barkley and Chubb interest are very real), but there's no turning down the offer coming their way: both 2018 first round picks, both 2018 second round picks, 2019 first round pick, 2019 fourth round pick. One of the biggest hauls we've ever seen to pry the pick away from the Giants and jump their division rival. They're enamored with Allen's ability to rip the ball through the Buffalo weather.

3). New York Jets (from IND): Josh Rosen (UCLA)
There's been a whole lot of smoke about Baker Mayfield, but I've been steadfast all along that Josh Rosen is Mike Maccagnan's prototype. He tried to trade up for Jared Goff and Rosen is a very similar player and a better natural thrower of the ball. I'm still very concerned about lack of mobility, but Rosen is a very good prospect and a great pick if he can stay healthy.

4). Cleveland Browns (from HOU): Bradley Chubb (NC State)
A dark-horse team frantically tries to get the pick, but can't offer enough to move Cleveland off of the draft's best pass rusher...

5). Arizona Cardinals (from DEN): Baker Mayfield (OU)
Arizona moves on up to get its guy after missing out on the fourth pick

6). Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ): Saquon Barkley (PSU)
Had to extend the mock by 1 pick to get this one in. Indy hasn't been connected to Barkley at all, but they'll be ecstatic to move back 3 spots and still land a dynamic runner to help take the load off of luck. Could also see them taking Nelson to protect their QB.

BONUS:
11). Miami Dolphins: Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Adam Gase can have some fun with one of the most electric runners the league has seen at this position. 3 of the top 5 QB's wind up in the AFC East, with the Patriots adding Lauletta at the very end of round 1.

I'll be lucky to even get 1 or 2 of these right, but after sifting through months of draft information this is what I see happening. The fun thing is that somehow, some way, EVERYONE is going to be wrong.

Don · Apr 25, 2018

Giants are not trading the number 2 to buffalo unless buffalo first gets up to 5 or 6 and they don't have enough to do both.

Big Cat · Apr 26, 2018

Big Cat said: ↑

1). Sam Darnold, USC

To me, Darnold is the only of the top 4 QB's that doesn't have any significant question marks. He is an extremely proficient thrower both from the pocket and on the move. He has excellent touch and an impressive natural feel for the passing game over the middle of the field. He consistently completes touch passes over defenders as well as ripping the ball into tight windows when necessary. His arm strength is more than good enough to be a top end starter. His big, physical frame makes him tough to take down and when he breaks the pocket he's as good at improvising as anyone in the last couple classes. He is very precise at hitting receivers on the correct shoulder in order to allow for yards after the catch instead of merely settling for completions. Kicks his game into another gear in the red zone and in clutch moments. Has outstanding anticipation, demonstrating an amazing ability to release the ball before his receiver's breaks are completed and still hit them in stride. He's a more refined version of Mayfield without the size concerns, and the fact that he's only 20 years old gives him plenty of room to develop even further.

There are several slight concerns, none of which are detrimental in my eyes. His release has a tendency to be loopy. However, I would be careful to confuse the length in ball path with a length in time. While he drops the ball lower than you'd like to see, he still gets the ball out relatively quickly. He also has a good habit of tightening up his release when defenders are around him to further alleviate this issue. I don't think his release needs significant improvement, and I think it'd be best to leave it alone to keep him comfortable. His feet, on the other hand, are not very well married to his eyes. He tends to jump around in the pocket and drift a little bit, and his slight accuracy issues arise when he doesn't get his feet fully set. He fumbles too much, which seems to be a function of his propensity to look for the big play. While he is relatively quick at processing his progressions, he spends too much time looking downfield trying to hit a homerun. Occasionally he'll get caught playing hero ball resulting in these turnovers (blindside strip sacks/forced interceptions). However, I think an elite quarterback needs to be aggressive. Again, he's very young and has plenty of time to discern the line between hero ball and proper aggressiveness.

Comparison: Jameis Winston. I think this is a pretty clean one. Both were very young coming out of college, had a great feel for the game despite aggressiveness leading to turnovers and are big bodied with the ability to improvise and extend plays.
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My take on 2018 QBs

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Don 2008 TGG Rich Kotite "Least Knowledgeable" Award W

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My take on 2018 QBs

boozer32 Well-Known Member

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Big Cat Well-Known Member

Don 2008 TGG Rich Kotite "Least Knowledgeable" Award W

Big Cat Well-Known Member

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