Last of a series of position previews entering today’s NFL Draft. Today, quarterbacks.
He’s out there, the surprise player who can save the quarterback position in this year’s NFL Draft. But who is he?
It’s believed there are two top-flight prospects going into today’s draft at Radio City Music Hall. There is Georgia’s Matt Stafford, who reportedly already agreed to a deal with the Detroit Lions, owners of the first pick after last year’s hapless 0-16 season.
And there is Mark Sanchez, who despite having started just 16 games at USC, likely has an NFL-ready game. His effusive personality and proud Mexican-American heritage could make him a bonus off the field.
And the draft has one intriguing prospect in Kansas State’s Josh Freeman. Despite a 14-16 record as a college starter, the nearly 6-foot-6, 248-pound Freeman has wowed scouts with his athleticism and touch.
But after Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman, the next quarterback to hear his name called probably will have to wait until tomorrow. That doesn’t mean there isn’t another quarterback who might thrive in the NFL. Does Matt Cassel ring a bell?
That’s the most fascinating thing that can be said about this quarterback-poor draft: Who’s the player that three years from now GMs will be wondering, ‘How did we miss on him?’
Matt Stafford, QB,
6-21⁄4, 225 pounds, Georgia
He’s been groomed for this moment most of his life. Stafford was invited to the prestigious Elite 11 Quarterback school, chose Georgia, where he showed marked development every year, and yesterday reportedly agreed to a six-year deal worth at least $41.7 million with the Lions. Great kid.
Mark Sanchez, QB,
6-21⁄8, 227, USC
Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Cassel and now Sanchez. Quarterback U West? Sanchez does not throw with the velocity that Stafford does, but he is cool in the pocket. He’s the type of player teammates like performing for.
Josh Freeman, QB,
6-53⁄4, 248, Kansas State
Played on a couple of really bad K-State teams and never passed the buck. Consider this an NBA-type pick: It’s all about potential. He doesn’t have the grasp of running an NFL offense now but his potential — size, athleticism, touch — wow.
Rhett Bomar, QB,
6-21⁄4, 225, Sam Houston St.
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect. Was Oklahoma’s starter in 2005, but was dismissed after the season for violating NCAA rules by taking a bogus summer job. His replacement, Sam Bradford, won the Heisman Trophy last year. What if Bomar remained a Sooner?
Pat White, QB/WR/Wildcat,
6-01⁄4, 197, West Virginia
Not your conventional QB, but with the Wildcat formation finding a place in the NFL, why not have a guy running it who holds the NCAA quarterback career rushing record (4,480 yards)? The only QB to start and win four consecutive bowl games.
Quarterbacks: Grade: D