IN FLAWED QB CLASS, SCOUTS FAVOR TRUBISKY
Mahomes’ arm, Watson’s résumé also impress
Information used from scouts from around the NFL to assess and rank the 2017 quarterback class. All asked to remain anonymous for competitive reasons.
1. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
A one-year starter who completed 68% of his passes for 3,748 yards and 30 touchdowns with six interceptions for the 8-5 Tar Heels in 2016. Sat for most of previous two years behind non-prospect Marquise Williams, but there were politics involved. Trubisky is the most consistent and accurate passer in this class. His size (6-2, 222 pounds) is good enough. Solidly built with a big arm and a good release. Showed athletic ability with a good showing at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.67 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (4.25). Not a typical alpha male leader who will take over a room. Has a quieter, somewhat bland personality (think Eli Manning), but teammates love him. Good note taker who has shown recall in meetings. Up to speed mentally, even though UNC’s offense wasn’t particularly complex. Like most, he operated primarily from shotgun. “You see him going through progressions,” an NFC personnel director said. “The thing that throws you off a bit is he’s really a one-year starter. A little bit about the leadership — is he a guy that can step in a huddle and take over and be the man, have the respect of a 28-year-old veteran? Just based on tape, he’s the most consistent.” Projec
tion: Top-15 pick.
2. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
Got his shot as a true freshman in 2014 after an injury to fellow draft prospect Davis Webb and never gave back the starting job. Finished with 11,252 career passing yards and 93 touchdowns with 29 interceptions on 63.5% passing in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s wide-open attack. Led Football Bowl Subdivision passers with 5,052 yards in 2016. Ran for 22 career TDs. Was 13-16 as a starter. QBs from that offense have struggled in the NFL, but he’s not a typical system quarterback. He’s well-built at 6-2, 225. Has an elite arm and ran a 4.8-second 40 and led all quarterbacks in the 20yard shuttle (4.08) at the combine, but he’s raw. Has a ton to learn about coverages, etc., but his makeup suggests he has the aptitude to do so. He’s smart and competitive with a big personality. Magnetic on the field, too. Has shown he can make every throw there is, to every area of the field, from every platform. A gambler who hasn’t played much under center. His footwork is all over the place. Probably the most talented QB with highest ceiling in the class, but he’s also hardest to project. Boom or bust. “He’s got a ton of flair, a ton of just backyard football in him,” an AFC scout said. “He’s definitely a playmaker. He never has the same play twice. Nothing he does is really onschedule in terms of how NFL coaches usually are used to seeing it, but he makes a lot of plays and throws for a lot of yards.” Projec
tion: First round.
3. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
He’s a two-time Davey O’Brien Award winner as nation’s best quarterback and twice a Heisman Trophy finalist. After an injuryriddled true freshman year in 2014, he led the Tigers to a 28-2 record and consecutive national championship games against Alabama, including a win in January. Recovered from a rough start as a junior in 2016 to play his best down the stretch. Threw for 10,168 yards, 90 touchdowns and 32 interceptions on 67.4% passing in Clemson’s high-percentage spread offense. Ran for 1,934 yards with 26 TDs. Adequate size (6-2, 221), though he doesn’t have the biggest build. Impressed at combine showing session and drills, including a 4.66-second 40yard dash. Has a strong enough arm, is mobile and plenty smart. Has won big games and played big in them, and his makeup is impeccable. Never too high, never too low. Has a presence about him. Another shotgun QB. His accuracy seems to be the primary concern about how his skill set will transfer to the pros. Comes from a one-read, tempo-type of system. Many throws are predetermined. Will force some balls and let it fly high at times. He rarely has been asked to read defenses and go through progressions. Some scouts worry about his field vision. “He’s such an alpha male, he’s such a winner, he’s such a leader that people are overlooking the inconsistencies in the way he throws the football,” an NFC executive said. “At midseason, people would never have said he was a first-round pick. The red flag to me is inconsistent accuracy, and he throws a lot of balls into coverage, and there’s the interceptions.” Pro
jection: First round.
T-4. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
He started most of the last two seasons, completing 60.7% of his passes for 5,805 yards and 47 touchdowns with 19 interceptions. Ran for another 18 TDs. Was playing like a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick late in 2015 — when he took over for injured Malik Zaire against Virginia, threw a game-winning TD pass and won eight of his first nine starts as a redshirt freshman — and early in 2016. Struggled last season and got into a mechanical funk as the Fighting Irish stumbled to 4-8 with a young offense around him. Big, thick guy (6-4, 233) with huge 97⁄ 8- inch hands. Plenty of arm. Accuracy and ball placement are questions, but he can spin it as well as anyone when he’s on. Has spent recent months trying to become more consistent in his footwork and not overstriding. Improved from a poor combine throwing session to his pro day. Very intelligent; knows football. Had uncommon authority to adjust protections and change plays in the Irish offense, which might make him more ready than the other top quarterbacks to play as a rookie if needed. Primarily played from the shotgun. Teams have done a lot of work on his leadership, drive, how important football is to him, etc. Some find it hard to warm up to his personality. Exceptionally confident. “He transitions his weight. He drives the football. He’s not a guy that will just blow you away with his accuracy, put it that way,” an AFC scout said. “There’s some games where he’s just completely (relying on) his arm, and there’s no feet. I think he is (smart). He just
hasn’t played enough.” Projection: First/second round. T-4. Davis Webb, California
Played a lot his first two years at Texas Tech but got hurt in 2014 and Kingsbury rode the hot hand of Mahomes. Left for Cal as a graduate transfer last spring, was named a captain and threw 37 touchdown passes in his only season with the undermanned Bears, who went 5-7. In all, completed 61.5% of his passes for 9,852 yards with 83 touchdowns and 34 interceptions. His prototypical frame (6-5, 229 pounds), good athletic ability and relentless work ethic make him intriguing. A top-five finisher among quarterbacks in all major drills at the combine. Must overcome track record of shotgun-heavy “Air Raid” quarterbacks, but he has better size and a stronger arm than most of them. His sporadic accuracy is the biggest question. Has tweaked mechanics while working with former NFL coach Jim Zorn, and it doesn’t look very natural yet, though he threw it well in bad weather at his pro day. Normally has a freewheeling release. Needs to clean up his decision-making and footwork. He’s a coach’s son and a football junkie. Can come across like another coach. Several scouts said his tape and traits compared favorably to last year’s No. 1 overall pick from Cal, Jared Goff. “Goff has maybe quicker feet and better release. Davis has a stronger arm. Goff would be more accurate. Davis would be a much better worker, much smarter, better leader, enjoy the process,” an AFC scout said. “I think Davis puts the ball on the ground a little bit too much, and he forces probably a little bit too much.” Projection: Late first/second round.
6. Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh
Was a two-year starter for the Panthers after transferring from Tennessee, where he was benched in each of his two starts, the latter in favor of fellow draft prospect Joshua Dobbs. At Pitt, completed 61.1% of his passes for 5,142 yards with 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and was 1410 as the starter. He’s the best prospect from an under-center, pro-style offense in this class. Understands the concepts coming in. Game manager type. Stands 6-2, 226 with 97⁄ 8- inch hands. Has an above-average arm, and he’s smart and a good decisionmaker. Projection: Second/ third round.
7. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
Started 35 games for the Volunteers (23-12 record). Completed 61.5% of his passes for 7,138 yards with 53 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Ran for another 2,160 yards with 32 TDs. A true dual threat, he’s a very good athlete at 6-3, 216. An aerospace engineering major. His intelligence, character and leadership are all top-notch. A steady presence whose decision-making needs to improve. Doesn’t always see the full field. An inconsistent and unpolished passer whose accuracy is just OK. Projection: Third round.
8. Brad Kaaya, Miami (Fla.)
He was a three-year starter who won the job as a true freshman. Completed 60.6% of his passes for 9,968 yards with 69 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Was 22-16 as starter. A tall (6-4, 214) pocket passer with athletic limitations. Was banged up last season, which might have exacerbated his lack of mobility. Just kind of average all-around. Will flash arm strength. Can manage a game but also will get spastic under pressure. Needs to develop physically. Projection: Third to sixth round.
9. C.J. Beathard, Iowa
A two-year starter who appeared in 41 career games. Completed 58.1% of his passes for 5,562 yards with 40 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Was 21-7 as starter. Played in a pro-style offense. Adequate size (6-2, 219 pounds). He is tough and plays with moxie. He has solid arm strength and mechanics. Accuracy and consistency are issues. Limited athlete. Projection: Fourth to sixth round.
10. Trevor Knight, Texas A&M
A graduate transfer from Oklahoma, where he led an upset over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl as a freshman but later lost the job to Baker Mayfield. Finished his college career completing just 55.5% of his passes for 5,856 yards with 44 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, including 53.3%-2,432-19-7 last year with the Aggies. Ran for 18 career TDs. Lacks ideal height (6-1, 219), but he lit up the combine, leading quarterbacks in the 40 (4.54), vertical jump (351⁄ 2 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches) and 60-yard shuttle (11.28). His athletic ability alone should get him a look. Projec
tion: Sixth round to undrafted.
Wild card: Chad Kelly, Mississippi
He started his college career at Clemson but was dismissed in 2014 for conduct detrimental to the team after a confrontation with coaches at halftime of the spring game. Transferred to a community college and was arrested in a nightclub fight before enrolling at Ole Miss, where he threw for 6,800 yards with 50 touchdowns and 21 interceptions over two seasons before suffering his second torn anterior cruciate ligament. Barred from the combine over previous issues. A ruptured tendon in throwing wrist cut short his pro day and led to surgery this month. Won’t be able to throw until July. It’s always something. Nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. Stands 6-2, 224. Very good arm. He’s a gamer and big-time locker room leader. Just a knucklehead everywhere else.
Projection: Undrafted.