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NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Quarterbacks

Over the next couple weeks leading up to the NFL Draft I will be posting my positional rankings followed up with my Big Board. I've only ranked players I feel comfortable enough with to form a solid opinion/analysis on. It would be disingenuous to rank players I don't have a strong opinion on. 

We will start off the series with quarterbacks, a position that more than likely won't be addressed by the Packers until day three and only if the value is too good to pass up on.

Quarterbacks:

1.       Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis- Paxton Lynch is a bit of a projection. I don’t believe he is ready to take over as a starter immediately but to me he has the most upside of any of the quarterbacks. At 6’7” 244lbs he has the ability to see over the line to scan the field, and has a rocket for an arm. Lynch also moves around incredibly well on roll outs and bootlegs, but also has the ability to tuck it and gain positive yards. If a team is patient enough to let Lynch get accustomed to the NFL it could pay dividends.

2.       Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St- Wentz seems to be the consensus #1 quarterback for many evaluators and it’s easy to understand why. Wentz is well built at 6’5” 237lb and displays great touch on intermediate passes while also having the arm strength to make deep out throws that are a staple of an NFL offense. Wentz also has the ability to pick up yards as a runner and the toughness to stand in the pocket while getting hit to deliver a pass. Wentz has limited starts under his belt against FCS competition but that doesn’t deny his talent as a quarterback. He’d be my #1 but I feel Lynch has more upside.

3.       Jared Goff, QB, California- A lot of analysts seem to be a bit split on Goff. At 6’4” 215lbs he is a bit thin framed and wiry. Goff’s biggest asset is his ability to scan the field, manipulate the safety and make tough throws to his 2nd or 3rd read. Goff also has a great ability to move around in the pocket to buy time and keep his eyes up downfield to find a receiver. Goff has had some issue with ball security fumbling 24 times in his three season which some evaluators may look to his 9” hands and wonder if it’s a fixable concern. Goff will also need to adapt to dropping back from under center in the NFL, which is the case for a lot of college quarterbacks coming out.

4.       Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon- Vernon Adams has some serious playmaking ability as a passer as well as a runner. Most of his collegiate career was spent at Eastern Washington where he dominated the competition. After transferring to Oregon it took him a little while to adjust but he soon got acclimated. At only 5’11” 200lbs many teams will be scared off by his size but there is something to Adams game that makes me believe he has a chance to be successful in the NFL. His competitiveness is easy to see and he showed a great ability to extend plays and make big time throws down the field.

5.       Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio St. - “12 gauge” has an absolute gun for an arm and the frame to withstand hits in the pocket or as a runner. At 6’5” 253lbs, Jones has a lot of the tools you want from a developmental quarterback. He has the big arm, good feet, and has shown big time potential on the big stage. Jones’s unfortunately hasn’t put it all together yet consistently but if a team with a good quarterback coach takes their time with him he could be a very good starter in the league. Jones may have the most upside of any quarterback prospect in this year’s draft.

6.       Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St- Connor Cook is arguably the most polished quarterback in this year’s draft. He’s 6’4” 217lbs and started four years in a pro-style offense. Cook has a strong arm and does a good job scanning the field to find open receivers. Cook’s major issue is with accuracy, he’s often is way off the mark on short to intermediate throws. Accuracy is a hard trait to improve on so I view Cook has someone who can play a few games in the NFL but won’t ever become a consistent starter.

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Comments (7)

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LeagueObsrvr's picture

March 30, 2016 at 07:32 pm

Wow. Goff had 24 fumbles in 3 years. That's a huge red flag, buyer beware!

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croatpackfan's picture

March 31, 2016 at 02:38 am

Nice overview Cody! Thanks...

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croatpackfan's picture

March 31, 2016 at 02:38 am

Nice overview Cody! Thanks...

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dobber's picture

March 31, 2016 at 08:16 am

If the Packers go QB in this draft, it will likely be a developmental guy late...a Nate Sudfeld or the like.

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 31, 2016 at 09:00 am

Pick one: (a) All of these QBs are out of the NFL in five years. (b) One of these QBs is starting in the NFL in five years. It's a tough call.

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Tundraboy's picture

March 31, 2016 at 09:50 am

Makes you appreciate what we have and how great it is not to be in a position like other teams trying to find the Holy Grail. QB has to be the hardest position to predict future success, because so much is between the ears as well.

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VioletteStiedemann's picture

January 14, 2020 at 02:30 am

In this short article, you have mentioned all weaknesses and unique skills of all famous quarterbacks that are a part of this NHL draft. Website https://studyclerk.com/research-paper-writing provides research paper writers for hire online. It is good to read about their positive and negative points.

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