TOP QB PROSPECTS FACING QUESTIONS
As NFL combine begins this week, the focus will be on how these potential first-rounders fare
The NFL descends upon Indianapolis this week for the scouting combine, where teams will get another up-close look at the top draft prospects, including a quarterback class that could feature as many as five first-round picks.
Saturday’s workouts will generate much buzz, but these passers already must face the notions that teams have of them. After poring over hours of game film of each passer, scouts, coaches and general managers have already identified their strengths and weaknesses.
Yet greater challenges remain in projecting how quarterbacks fit into specific schemes and gaining a clearer understanding of these young men as people.
A look at a pressing question facing each of the top passers in interviews.
❚ Josh Rosen, UCLA: “Why do you play?”
Regarded by many as the draft’s most complete quarterback, the 6-4, 210pounder threw for 3,717 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock calls him “the best pure passer I have seen in several years.” But teams want to know more about Rosen’s mental makeup. Some talent evaluators perceive him as a slightly immature, laid-back player with questions surrounding his fire and toughness. Durability is also a concern, as he suffered a shoulder injury in 2016 and two concussions in 2017. Teams want to know if he can he take a big hit on the next level, get back up and keep slinging.
❚ Sam Darnold, Southern California: “Why so many turnovers?”
The 6-4, 225-pound Darnold, who will not throw at the combine per a report by ESPN, might have the most upside of any of his peers. The 20-year-old threw for 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns last season but was also responsible for 22 turnovers, including 13 interceptions. Coaching can help to some degree, but ball security has a lot to do with instincts and decision making. Some of those habits are hard to break. Talent evaluators will want to hear Dar-
nold take ownership for the struggles and explain how he’s working to improve.
❚ Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma: “Do you understand what comes with being the face of a franchise?”
Although undersized at just over 6 feet and 216 pounds, he has a body of work that might be unparalleled in this class. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner passed for 14,607 yards, 131 touchdowns and 30 interceptions for his four-year college career. Last season, Mayfield threw 41 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. There’s no questioning his determination. He walked on both at Texas Tech and Oklahoma. He is a fighter and commands the respect of his teammates.
Some talent evaluators view May-
field as the most NFL-ready of any passer in this class, but he’ll be under scrutiny for his actions, including last February’s arrest on public intoxication and fleeing charges as well as a November incident in which he taunted Kansas players and grabbed his crotch. Fair or not, he is having to shoot down comparisons to former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, who lasted only two years in the NFL. As the face of an NFL franchise, Mayfield can’t afford continual off-field missteps.
❚ Josh Allen, Wyoming: “Why regression last year and the accuracy issues?”
Comparisons to Carson Wentz are only natural for the strong-armed Allen, especially given that he played for the same coach as the Philadelphia Eagles star (though at different schools) and possesses similar physical traits. But Allen has work to do, primarily on his accuracy after completing just 56% of his passes the past two seasons. He topped the 3,000-yard passing mark in 2016 but had 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in his final college season while missing two games because of a shoulder injury. NFL insiders are befuddled by his drop in production. Yes, he lost some productive weapons. But he should have performed better, and teams will want him to provide accountability rather than excuses.
❚ Lamar Jackson, Louisville: “Can you play quarterback on this level?”
The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner recorded more than 3,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons, with 96 touchdowns in that span. But Jackson has to fight a major stereotype: great athlete whose skills don’t project to long-term success as an NFL passer. That view very well could keep Jackson out of the first round.
Fit is extremely important. Jackson is going to need to go to a team whose coach and offensive coordinator will tailor their scheme to accent his strengths, much like Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan overhauled their offense to help Robert Griffin III.
❚ Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State: “Can you transition to a pro-style offense?”
The 6-5, 230-pound Rudolph could be a first-round dark horse. He’s coming off a career year with 4,904 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His size and deep passing experience will be attractive, and the desire to work and improve. But he ran a spread offense, operating exclusively out of the shotgun, and he’s never called plays in a huddle. Adjusting to an NFL system from that starting point leads to growing pains. Those close to Rudolph say he’s well aware of the areas where he must improve.