How I judge draft eligible QB's

Unless you find a way to draft Fernando, roll with Howard and build out the roster. I didn’t see any other QB worth taking in the first, including Simpson.

This team needs an overhaul.

 

If Simpson falls to us, take him in round one. What do you think he is missing? More starts? Okay, but he will get better as he is a young player.

 

I just don’t think he is that much better, all in all than Howard. I’d rather use the draft capitol to build out the roster.

 

Simpson has 14 or so starts in college. He will get better. Howard had 40 or so starts in college and is way more of a finished product.


QB is the key position. Once you have that, you can build.

 

I'm curious what everyone sees in Mendoza? He seems like an awesome guy and a leader... but I am just not sure about him as a player. At least not as a high end QB. I think he could be good... but there just isn't anything that jumps out to me that makes me think he can be a stud in the NFL. He's got an amalgamation of very average abilities... He strikes me more as a Cousins or Dalton caliber player, maybe Flacco. He seems good... but I don't think he has any chance at being great.

We would have to trade our future to get Moore or Mendoza. I wouldn't do that for either. I like Moore a TON, but it would just be too much to get in range. Simpson might not even declare. At that rate, just punt on QB and go with something else.

 

Mendoza check all of the below boxes, and does it without top skill players around around him. The box checks range from good, very good or excellent.






1. Size. A QB needs to be 210 lBS and at least six feet tall. Hand size at least 9". These are NFL minimums for a franchise QB. An easy box to check. Ideal is 6'3" inches and over, 220 pound or more and 9.5" hands.


2. Arm talent. A QB needs to have velocity on his pases ( Radar gun ) and not throw balloon balls going deep or over the middle. Balloon balls give DB's an extra half of a second to break on passses. Getting the ball up and down, throwing the 5,6,7,8 and 9 routes with velocity. And the QB needs to have a quick release.


3. Prove to me you can be a QB or 3rd down and 5 -10 yards by completing 55%+ of your passes! I'd like to see separate stats on this!


4. QB smarts and football IQ. The NFL shys away from publicly speaking about the wonderlic scores, which is too bad. Any score a 17 or below = a no go with me. The coaching and the helmet radio have made this less of an issue.

There is no stat sheet on reading a defense / mental process speed, but we can tell who the good ones are by watching them play. Can he at least cycle through the top 2 receivers before hitting the check down guy in 3 seconds or less 75% of the time? Is the QB aware of roaming DB's and LB's in coverage and can he tell the difference between man and zone? Can he tell when the defense is going to blitz . Can he take coaching positively or is he thin skinned?


5. Mobility. Is the QB mobile? And can he run for yardage? Acceleration is important. I think the NFL is evolving the " spy " position which is a reason why QB's are not running the same for the past four years like they used to.

A rough chart is:

4.5 40 or less . This QB has wheels and can burn DL and LB players to the edge and is dangerous running the football vs Man coverage . Very mobile

4.6 - 4.65 QB can run and hit some big running plays. Mobile

4.7- 4.8 QB can buy himself a second chance on plays.

4.85 to 4.95. QB is slow and better have a good release, good QB
smarts and arm.

5.0 or greater = a slug,


6. The triangle # 's of passing. 66%+ competitions, 3 to 1 TD to Interceptions / fumbles ratio or better , and 8.5 yard + per pass. Does he have " IT " ? Where does he rate on the above?


7. Big play chart. The amount of plays a QB has running 10+ yards or passing 15+ yards. 3 a game is good. 4 a game is very good. 5 or more a game is excellent. Big plays lead to scoring more often than not.


8. Durability. The best ability is availability. Two more injuries to the neck, spine, knee, ankle, shoulder, or soft tissue damage that cause a player to miss 2 or more games = Red Flag. Small frame guys need careful examination here. Football isn't just a contact sport, it is a collision sport.


9. Leadership. Can a QB inspire his teammates? Do players believe in him? Does he have a command in the huddle? An underrated part of being a QB.


10. QB mechanics / ball handling skill. A compact, repeatable release; balanced base; and efficient throwing motion. Under-center snaps and pro-style drops are pluses. Good footwork matters.

 

1. 6', 3" and 220lbs 9.5"+ hand

2. Strong/accurate arm. Able to make all throws with ease.

3. 5.0 40 or below is good enough for me. Win with the arm, not the legs.

4. Good health history

5. Intelligence. Must be able to handle complex offense and read defenses. No Kordells

6. More about the team than himself. Strong moral character.

There are so many things to look at.

 

Mindset matters. Dare to go 4 wide and test the coverages especially when you cross your 30 yard lines. Mix it up. Interceptions will happen, but where they happen matters. So what if you throw one as long as it on 3rd down past your 35 yard line. As long as it's not one of pick six throws ( Mostly short throws that lack velocity ) the chances are far greater for a catch or flag on the defense.


Most importantly throw it so the ball travels in the air past the 1st down marker frequently on down 2 when you throw it.