QUARTERBACKS
Sam Darnold, USC
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2017)
Texas (2017)
Washington (2016)
Analysis: Adequate size, good arm. He moves well in the pocket. In 2016, his footwork was poor and threw off balance often vs Washington. He stared down receivers and brought defenders to where he wanted to go with the ball. He can progress on reads and makes decisions quickly. The ball comes out over the top with quick windup. Excellent mobility and can buy time with his feet, capable of taking off and running with the ball. Excels at throwing on the move and does not need a clean pocket or set his feet to make a throw on target. Recognize blitzes presnap and knows where to go with the ball on the hot route. He can look off coverage with his eyes but needs to be more consistent. He can make the difficult throw into tight spots and put it only a position for his receiver to have a chance at it. He can get baited into throwing a ball into coverage, this happened vs Washington. He can let pressure rattle him when he doesn’t recognize it and throw it into traffic. Consistently puts the ball on target giving receiver chance to run with the ball after the catch. Footwork continued to be an issue into 2017 and this is likely the main reason for the occasional pass that is off the mark. He needs to drive through with his entire body on throws in the pocket. When he anticipates the blitz, he looks to take advantage and make a big play against the defense. Darnold struggled during the first 3 quarters vs Texas but he was lights out dominant when it mattered the most. Needs to recognize zone or man coverage especially on the WR screen passes. This led to a few INTs. He was overwhelmed vs Ohio State, USC OL could not stop their pass rush and Darnold was running for his life most of the game.
Summary: Sam Darnold is the best QB in the draft. He brings good size, a plus quick arm with advanced feel for the position that projects well to the pros. He can read coverage, recognize the blitz pre snap and already has experience working under center. His footwork got better in 2017 but it still needs to be more consistent. He showed ability to look off coverage, progress on reads and work across the field. He needs to do better when pressured and this is about preparation when he gets to the pros. The pressure got to him and knocked him off his game against Ohio State. He needs to adjust his velocity on passes, at times he fires a missile on shorter throws and causes the WR to deflect the pass for potential INTs when he needs to take a little off it. His ability to get passes off on target and quickly when he doesn’t have a clean pocket or when he sets his feet properly is amongst the best in the country. He is a good athlete and able to run and more than capable of sliding around the pocket to buy the extra second he needs to make the play. He does not look like a franchise QB but he is more than capable of being one of the top 10 best QBs in the league. He doesn’t have a large learning curve and should be able to start as a rookie. He needs to improve recognizing the defensive coverage presnap and his preparation against the blitz. I don’t like the throwing motion, takes too long and he can shorten it using all arm but that can lead to inaccuracy. He reminds me a lot of Aaron Rodgers with his mobility, accuracy when he breaks the pocket and able to throw a pass on target despite off balance or without proper footwork. However the comparisons end there, needs to improve his accuracy on deep throws, learn when to give up on plays and cut down on the sacks. 1st round grade.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Game Film Evaluated:
TCU (2016)
Houston (2016)
Texas (2017)
Ohio State (2017)
Senior Bowl (2018)
Analysis: Undersized but able to deliver the ball over the line and downfield without being knocked down. Above average arm and flashes real good footwork. Able to thread the needle and put touch on his throws. Holds the ball extremely long in the pocket and has no understanding when to just toss it out of bounds and try again on the next play. He is a one read QB who relies on the system to know where to go with the ball presnap. Virtually no experience working under center. Good athlete who can easily buy time with his feet but needs to learn to get rid of it and not take unnecssary hits. A bit wreckless with the ball when under pressure, he fails to keep it close to his body in the pocket and it can be knocked out. He will throw off his back foot when pressured and holds the ball way longer than he should trying to keep the play alive. Too often he throws short of the first down marker on 3rd downs. Needs to be more consistent with his feet, he aligns his feet correctly but fails to step into his throws causing inaccuracy and too much air into his passes at times. When his primary read is not open, he is hesitant in his decision making and causes him to hold the ball too long. He fails to progress on his reads quickly.
Summary: Baker Mayfield is a puzzling prospect as he is a talented player with good skills but comes from another up tempo system that relies on one read and go type QBs. He is athletic with good but not great arm strength. He lacks the physical frame to hold up being a running type QB. He is not someone who is comfortable reading the defense presnap, progressing on reads or comfortable throwing into tight areas with top accuracy. His instincts when the play breaks down are where he is at his best but he needs to learn to execute the play more consistently using his head and arm. I fear that Mayfield is in for a rude awakening at the next level when escaping the pocket won’t be as easy as it was in college nor receivers as open as they were. He needs a head coach/OC that really forces him to play the game smarter, fit the pass into tight windows and beat teams more with his arm instead of his feet. In addition to the on field performance comes his lengthy off the field baggage. He was arrested in February 2017 on public intoxication and fleeing charges in addition to multiple on field unsportsmanlike conduct penalties from the leader of the offense. He is not in the same category as Johnny Manziel or Jameis Winston in terms of character problems but QBs are held to a higher standard and Mayfield needs to grow up and do it quickly. If he does and works his tail off in the NFL, he could be an exciting to watch starting QB who could thrive in an offense suited to his skills like what Seattle did for Russel Wilson or Philadelphia for Carson Wentz. Late 1st round grade who needs to grow up both on and off the field but the skills are there.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Game Film Evaluated:
Texas (2017)
Virginia Tech (2017)
Iowa State (2017)
Analysis: Excellent size but just an average arm. Doesn’t have a rocket arm but he able to make the throws to the short and intermediate levels of the defense. He has to put a lot of the air when he wants to go deep. Not overly athletic but he can buy time with his feet and looks to throw it instead of run it. He feels pressure and steps up in the pocket. Spread QB. He can work across the field, progress on reads from inside the pocket. He at times throws with anticipation. Inconsistent footwork, needs to reset his feet more consistently. One of the most accurate passers in the class. When he throws off balance, the velocity disappears and his passes bounce to the WR too often. Strong QB who can shake off defenders in the pocket and keep the play alive. Responds well in clutch situations. He will stand tall in the pocket when pressure comes and wait until the last second to make the throw.
Summary: Mason Rudolph is a spread QB from the tempo offense at Oklahoma State. He has the size, solid arm but struggles on downfield throws. He seems to play his best when the game gets close even if he struggled earlier in the game. This showed up in the Texas game and vs Iowa State when they went to overtime. He needs to get better reading defenses and coverage, he threw into zone coverage thinking it was man a few times. However he sees the field well and is definitely not a one read type QB. He fights to keep the play alive and will move in the pocket and look to always beat the defense with his arm. He needs to learn how to call plays in a huddle, work under center and refine his footwork to before he can make an impact as a pro. He is not a system QB and can be a successful pro QB. His size, ability to stand tall in the pocket, buy time with his feet despite not being overly athletic and see the field so well reminds me of Ben Roethlisberger. 2nd round grade.
Josh Rosen, UCLA
Game Film Evaluated:
Washington (2017)
Texas A&M (2017)
USC (2017)
Analysis: Good size, moves well and has an excellent arm. Happy feet. Holds the ball and indecisive. He doesn’t move off his reads hoping they will eventually clear. Pressure can get to him, he escapes the pocket unnecessarily. Excellent mobility to buy time in the pocket with his feet but prefers to throw once he escapes. Late on his throws. He wants for the receiver to break open before releasing and defenders got a jump on his routes often. When he fires it quickly, the throw consistently sails and requires his receivers to fully extend to bring in the pass. Does not throw a catchable ball consistently, requires his receivers to make adjustments consistently. Gets a lot of passes knocked down at the line despite adequate height and arm slot. Lacks the internal clock in the pocket and he will take a beating. He will change his release point and deliver it side arm when pressure is closing in. He will throw it up for grabs and can be wreckless with the ball. Led an amazing comeback vs Texas A&M but due to using his athletic TE abuse man coverage on one read and go type reads over the middle. Even during the comeback, there were multiple instances the ball should have been INT by A&M but failed to make the play. Does not recognize blitz presnap. Needs to find windows to throw passes, got at least 2 passes knocked down per game. Defenders follow his eyes and relatively easy to get into position to get their hands on it. Flashed ability to progress on reads and work across the field vs USC but doesn’t reset his feet.
Summary: Josh Rosen has a tremendous skillset for the QB position that all translate well to the pro level. However his on field performance has yet to meet the potential and he has a long way to go. He took an absolute beating at UCLA and has shown a disturbing lack of ball security when the defense gets to him early. He needs a year on the bench before he should be counted to make any impact in the NFL. He needs to learn to read the defense presnap, and make decisions quicker. He stares down receivers and needs to move off reads more quickly. He throws the ball up for grabs way too often and has to protect the ball better. He has got to use his mobility to find windows in the pocket to throw the ball to prevent them from being knocked down as much as they did in college. He must learn to throw with anticipation and throw it before the receiver makes his break. His receivers bailed him out of a lot of bad decisions during the games observed. He doesn’t have the internal clock to know when to get rid of it and on target. The player on paper looks like a legit franchise QB but he is a wreckless gun slinger type who will throw multiple INTs per game and take a lot of hits in the pocket. I fear he will never recover if he goes to a bad team that looks to him to take their game to another level. His college head coach Jim Mora said this about Rosen the month of the draft, “He needs to be challenged intellectually so he doesn’t get bored. He’s a millennial”. This was part of a discussion relating to USC prospect Sam Donald whom Mora described as having a “blue-collar, gritty” attitude. This suggest Rosen may not be a self starter or have the drive to want to improve which is one of the strongest indicators separating a NFL starter to a bust that fails to meet their potential. Early 3rd round grade.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Game Film Evaluated:
Clemson (2017)
Purdue (2017)
Florida State (2017)
Analysis: Elite level athlete. Built like a wide receiver with a super quick release. He throws with the arm instead of getting his entire body into the throw. Footwork is inconsistent and needs to step into his throws more often. He keeps his feet too close together. He looks off safeties and throws a nice deep ball. He delivered 2 perfect passes for game winning scores against Florida State but the WR dropped the ball both times. Awful accuracy. Even when he has proper footwork and a clean pocket, he still misses the target consistently. He forces his receivers to make adjustments on simple passes. He has a live arm and can make all the throws and his athleticism will be second to none at the QB position. He doesn’t have the elite speed that Michael Vick did but he has everything else. Runs the ball inside and doesn’t shy away from contact. He did not respond well to adversity vs Clemson, his play steadily declined throughout the game even when the defense wasn’t swarming.
Summary: Lamar Jackson has video game QB skills that on paper would look too good to be true. He has the frame of a wide receiver with RB moves and a good arm. However his accuracy, inability to read coverage, footwork, throwing motion are going to make it difficult for him to make it as a pro QB. He has legit ability, the question is whether he will put in the work to improve in all the other aspects of his game and get enough patience as well as confidence from the coaching staff to fulfill his potential. if that doesn’t happen, he will have to make a position change to receiver. Even if he stays at QB, he may have a hard time staying healthy as he is a skinny kid and the punishment trying to run the ball is on another level in the pros. He needs to work his tail off refining his throwing motion, get the entire body into his throws and step into those throws with proper footwork. It will take time before it becomes second nature but there is hope that will address his inaccuracy. There hasn’t been a QB like this since Michael Vick, not even Kaepernick was at this level of athleticism at the QB position. Early 4th round grade.
Josh Allen, Wyoming
Game Film Evaluated:
Colorado State (2017)
Boise State (2017)
Iowa (2017)
Senior Bowl (2018)
Analysis: Ideal frame, quick release and strong arm. He is athletic and able to buy time with his feet and scramble when necessary. Atrocious footwork, rarely ever sets his feet properly and throws from an ideal position. His accuracy suffers dramatically as a result. He is a plus athlete and able to run away from defenders. Has experience working under center. He consistently has the ball elevate on him when he steps up into his throws. He does not look off safeties or manipulate safeties with his eyes to create openings for receivers. This led to an INT vs Boise State. The lacks the internal clock to feel pressure and escape the pocket. He had one of the worst scrambles and attempts to throw the ball away vs Iowa. He is late on decisions and everything needs to happen faster with his reads and decisions.
Summary: Josh Allen has excellent tools for the position with an ideal frame, arm strength and quick release with plus athleticism. His footwork and accuracy is awful. He is slow on his reads and careless with the ball. He is no where close to ready to contribute as an NFL QB. He will impress in workouts to highlight his arm and mobility but there is more to it and he consistently failed to impress in games against quality competition. 4th round grade.
Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
Game Film Evaluated:
Villanova (2017)
William & Mary (2017)
James Madison (2017)
Analysis: Average frame, looks around 6-1. He is able to find windows to throw passes effectively. Solid arm and throws a tight spiral. His receivers dropped several catchable passes and deflected a few that should of been INT. Solid athlete who can buy time with his feet and moves well outside the pocket. Experience taking snaps under center. Missed his TE sailing it right to the safety for INT. Doesn’t feel pressure, he can hold the ball in the pocket for too long. Throws in the intermediate area sail often but down the seams are among his best. He will force passes in traffic especially across the middle. Tough kid who will run the ball inside and take the hit when going for a score. No feel for looking off safeties or play like he knows where the safety is. He stares down receivers especially when going downfield. Good touch on his passes and good consistent footwork.
Summary: Kyle Lauletta is one of the more intriguing sleeper type prospects in the draft. He brings a solid QB skillset with athleticism, solid arm who can make throws at all levels of the defense. He was not a one read and go spread type QB at Richmond. He made throws downfield and had the arm to get it there. However I project him best to a team that doesn’t have to deal with much bad weather. He needs to do better reading the defense presnap, identify blitz packages and get rid of the ball quickly when needed. Often he held the ball too long and needs to have that clock go off in his head when he needs to escape the pocket. He needs to go to work in the film room and understand how to manipulate safeties. He needs to know where the safeties are and then identify the areas to attack downfield. His eyes brought the safety into the target area too often. There is a lot to like and held his own at the Senior Bowl especially in the game after a solid of practice. It didn’t happen often but there were times in the games observed he missed open receivers despite a clean pocket and good footwork especially in the intermediate areas. Early 4th round grade.
Mike White, Western Kentucky
Game Film Evaluated:
Georgia State (2017)
Alabama (2016)
Memphis (2017)
Analysis: Excellent size and stands tall in the pocket. Solid arm, throws with touch and capable of firing it downfield. Not that mobile but he can buy some time with his feet but looks to get rid of it when he gets a chance. Accuracy disappears when facing pressure. Comfortable progressing on his reads across the field. He’s a statue in the pocket, he holds it too long. Inconsistent footwork which leads to accuracy issues. He is not comfortable throwing it from inside the pocket when he’s got someone closing in on him. Stares down receivers and small college defenders were able to get their hands on a lot of his passes. He can let the pressure affect his play. Almost every throw vs Alabama in 2016 was in the 5 yard range. Not an accurate thrower.
Summary: Mike White has the traditional look and arm of a pro style QB. He has the frame and more than adequate arm to make all the throws. However he lacks the internal clock, mobility to escape the pocket vs top athletic defenders. He needs a clean pocket, time to progress on multiple reads to be effective. However that is not a luxury most pro QBs get on a consistent basis. He needs to be quicker with his reads, identify the safeties and not stare down receivers. He can become a solid back up QB if he develops the mental side of the game, play a much quicker game and have more consistent footwork which should improve the accuracy issue. 5th round grade.
Luke Falk, Washington State
Game Film Evaluated:
Utah (2017)
Stanford (2017)
Colorado (2017)
Minnesota (2017)
Senior Bowl (2018)
Analysis: Inaccurate on downfield throws. Excellent frame and very capable arm. Indecisive decision maker. He holds the ball longer than he should. A bit reckless with the ball when under pressure. Quick release with just a flick of the wrist. He showed ability to progress on reads. Average athlete who can escape the pocket but not a strong runner or a threat on any run-pass options. Struggles to buy time with his feet, reset and throw the ball accurately. Accuracy beyond 10 yards is an issue. He has got to learn to buy time with his feet and beat a defense with his arm. Too often he drops his eyes from the receivers and focus on the pressure. The QB either drops his eyes from receivers when pressured or he throws off his backfoot into the middle of the field, neither is good.
Summary: Luke Falk has impressive frame and capable arm to make the throws. He has an effortless quick delivery and shows the ability to progress on reads after the snap. However there are serious concerns to his game with accuracy, reading a defense and handling pressure. His mechanics and footwork disappear when pressured and is not decisive against the blitz. The QB must always protect the ball and Falk was consistently careless with the ball when pressured. His accuracy beyond 10 yards is an issue even when his footwork and pocket is clean. I see a backup in Luke Falk unless he can learn to read a defense, become more decisive in his reads especially when blitzed and improve his accuracy in the intermediate areas. 5th round grade.
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