How I judge draft eligible QB's

What it takes to be an NFL QB, and what to look for in a prospect for the draft.

I am a pretty good talent evaluator with a good ability to predict who will make good professionals. For example I wanted to trade up for Nix, and would have made Dart our #1 pick. Fans of the Planet Steelers can vouch for me. Like everybody else I can miss.

Here is what I think should be elevated for draft eligible QBs, and heck yes we need one.




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.



How many boxes does player X check and how are the checks ( Excellent, very good, or good )


The competition played against matter. If a QB had a very good coach and receivers grade him down a notch, If he has average coaching and receivers, grade him up notch. If he comes from a football family ( coach or brothers ), give him a notch up. And this one is important, if he grew up a Ravens of Brown fan, stock down.


I do not have access to interviews or in many cases medical reports.


The college playoffs , all star games, combine and pro day matter a lot ( 30 % ) in the evalutaion. Game day video ( 60% ) and interviews / referrals 10%

- JB

 

Is this one season in college, or two seasons, or total for college?

 

I would like to see 20 starts before drafting. But a college players can rate if he good in his first season.

 

1. Aidan Chiles, JR, MSU, 6-3 225, 22 starts
2. AJ Swann, JR, APPST, 6-2 220, 22 starts
3. Andrew Body, JR, ALAST, 6-0 205 below 210
4. Anthony Colandrea, JR, UNLV, 6-0 205 below 210
5. * Arch Manning, JR, TEX, 6-4 219, 14 starts * (full 2025 season)
6. Athan Kaliakmanis, SR, RUT, 6-3 212, 47 starts
7. Avery Johnson, JR, KST, 6-3 198, 26 starts below 210
8. * Beau Pribula, SR, MIZ, 6-2 212, 10 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury)
9. Behren Morton, SR, TTU, 6-3 220, 35 starts
10. Blake Shapen, SR, MISST, 6-1 210, 39 starts
11. Brendan Sorsby, JR, CIN, 6-3 225, 30 starts
12. Brendon Lewis, SR, MEM, 6-3 210, 47 starts
13. Bryson Barnes, SR, UTST, 6-2 210, 29 starts
14. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts
15. Cade Klubnik, SR, CLEM, 6-2 210, 41 starts
16. Caden Veltkamp, JR, FAU, 6-6 236, 25 starts
17. * Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, JR, MAR, 6-2 215, 13 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury)
18. Carson Beck, SR, MIA, 6-4 220, 39 starts
19. Chandler Morris, SR, UV, 6-0 192 below 210
20. Chase Mason, SDAKST, 6-4 240, 8 starts low starts
21. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts *
22. Conner Weigman, JR, HOU, 6-3 210, 24 starts
23. Dante Moore, JR, ORE, 6-3 206 below 210
24. Darian Mensah, SO, DUKE, 6-3 205 below 210
25. DeQuan Finn, SR, MIA OH, 6-2 206 below 210
26. Devon Dampier, JR, UTAH, 5-11 204 below 210
27. Diego Pavia, SR, VAN, 6-0 206 below 210
28. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts
29. Drew Pyne, SR, BGU, 6-0 200 below 210
30. Dylan Lonergan, SO, BC, 6-2 211, 9 starts - not a full season
31. EJ Warner, SR, FRES, 6-0 203 below 210
32. Eli Holstein, SO, PIT, 6-4 225, 13 starts - not a full season
33. Evan Simon, SR, TEM, 6-3 205 below 210
34. Fernando Mendoza, JR, 6-5 225, 31 starts
35. Garrett Nussmeier, SR, LSU, 6-1 205 below 210
36. * Gunner Stockton, JR, UGA, 6-1 215, 13 starts * (full 2025 season)
37. Haynes King, SR, GT, 6-3 215, 39 starts
38. Jack Strand, SR, MINST, 6-5 240, 42 starts
39. Jackson Arnold, JR, AUB, 6-1 219, 19 starts - not a full season
40. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts
41. Jaden Rashada, SO, SACST, 6-4 183 below 210
42. Jake Retzlaff, JR, TUL, 6-1 205 below 210
43. * Jalen Kitna, SR, UAB, 6-5 225, 18 starts * (one season 2025)
44. Jalon Daniels, SR, KAN, 6-0 220, 45 starts
45. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts
46. Jaylen Raynor, JR, ARKST, 6-0 202 below 210
47. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts
48. Joey Aguilar, SR, TEN, 6-3 225, 37 starts
49. John Mateer, JR, OU, 6-1 224, 23 starts
50. Josh Hoover, JR, TCU, 6-0 200 below 210
51. Kaidon Salter, SR, COL, 6-1 190 below 210
52. Kevin Jennings, JR, SMU, 6-0 192 below 210
53. Kyron Drones, SR, VT, 6-2 235, 32 starts
54. LaNorris Sellers, SO, SC, 6-3 240, 24 starts
55. Luke Altmyer, SR, ILL, 6-2 205 below 210
56. Maalik Murphy, JR, OREST, 6-5 234, 24 starts
57. Malachi Nelson, SO, UTEP, 6-3 193 below 210
58. Marcel Reed, SO, TAMU, 6-1 185 below 210
59. Maverick McIvor, SR, WKU, 6-2 214, 40 starts
60. Miller Moss, SR, LOU, 6-2 210, 22 starts
61. Nicco Marchiola, JR, WVU, 6-2 235, 9 starts, not a full season
62. Nico Iamaleava, SO, UCLA, 6-6 215, 26 starts
63. Noah Fifita, SR, AZ, 5-10 186 below 6-0 210
64. Owen McCown, JR, UTSA, 6-1 190 below 210
65. Preston Stone, SR, NW, 6-1 215, 28 starts
66. Robby Ashford, SR, WF, 6-2 220, 22 starts
67. Rocco Becht, JR, ISU, 6-1 210, 38 starts
68. Sam Leavitt, SO, AZST, 6-2 205 below 210
69. Sawyer Robertson, SR, BAY, 6-4 220, 28 starts
70. Taylen Green, SR, ARK, 6-6 224, 44 starts
71. TJ Finley, SR, GAST, 6-7 238, 33 starts
72. Tommy Castellanos, SR, FSU, 5-11 201 below 210
73. Trinidad Chambliss, SR, OLE, 6-1 200 below 210
74. Ty Simpson, JR, ALA, 6-2 208 below 210
75. Tyler Van Dyke, SR, SMU, 6-4 230, 30 starts
76. Walter Eget, SR, SJST, 6-3 223, 19 starts low starts
77. Zach Calzada, SR, UK, 6-4 230, 34 starts
78. Zevi Eckhaus, SR, WAST, 6-0 209 below 210

 

1. Aidan Chiles, JR, MSU, 6-3 225, 22 starts - under 66% completions
2. AJ Swann, JR, APPST, 6-2 220, 22 starts - under 66% completions
5. * Arch Manning, JR, TEX, 6-4 219, 14 starts * (full 2025 season) - under 66% completions
6. Athan Kaliakmanis, SR, RUT, 6-3 212, 47 starts - under 66% completions
8. * Beau Pribula, SR, MIZ, 6-2 212, 10 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury) 67.2%
9. Behren Morton, SR, TTU, 6-3 220, 35 starts 67.8% last season
10. Blake Shapen, SR, MISST, 6-1 210, 39 starts - under 66% completions
11. Brendan Sorsby, JR, CIN, 6-3 225, 30 starts - under 66% completions
12. Brendon Lewis, SR, MEM, 6-3 210, 47 starts, 69.7%
13. Bryson Barnes, SR, UTST, 6-2 210, 29 starts - under 66% completions
14. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts, 66.3%
15. Cade Klubnik, SR, CLEM, 6-2 210, 41 starts, 66%
16. Caden Veltkamp, JR, FAU, 6-6 236, 25 starts, 67.1%
17. * Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, JR, MAR, 6-2 215, 13 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury), 66.8%
18. Carson Beck, SR, MIA, 6-4 220, 39 starts, 74.7%
21. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts * 74.2%
22. Conner Weigman, JR, HOU, 6-3 210, 24 starts - under 66% completions
28. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts, 66.5% 2024
34. Fernando Mendoza, JR, IU, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%
36. * Gunner Stockton, JR, UGA, 6-1 215, 13 starts * (full 2025 season), 70.2%
37. Haynes King, SR, GT, 6-3 215, 39 starts, 71.7%
38. Jack Strand, SR, MINST, 6-5 240, 42 starts. - under 66% completions
40. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts, 67.1% career
43. * Jalen Kitna, SR, UAB, 6-5 225, 18 starts * (one season 2025) 66.4%
44. Jalon Daniels, SR, KAN, 6-0 220, 45 starts - under 66% completions
45. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts, 66.2%
47. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts, 68.9%
48. Joey Aguilar, SR, TEN, 6-3 225, 37 starts, 66.8%
49. John Mateer, JR, OU, 6-1 224, 23 starts, - under 66% completions
53. Kyron Drones, SR, VT, 6-2 235, 32 starts - under 66% completions
54. LaNorris Sellers, SO, SC, 6-3 240, 24 starts - under 66% completions
56. Maalik Murphy, JR, OREST, 6-5 234, 24 starts - under 66% completions
59. Maverick McIvor, SR, WKU, 6-2 214, 40 starts, 67.3%
60. Miller Moss, SR, LOU, 6-2 210, 22 starts - under 66% completions
62. Nico Iamaleava, SO, UCLA, 6-6 215, 26 starts - under 66% completions
65. Preston Stone, SR, NW, 6-1 215, 28 starts - under 66% completions
66. Robby Ashford, SR, WF, 6-2 220, 22 starts - under 66% completions
67. Rocco Becht, JR, ISU, 6-1 210, 38 starts - under 66% completions
69. Sawyer Robertson, SR, BAY, 6-4 220, 28 starts - under 66% completions
70. Taylen Green, SR, ARK, 6-6 224, 44 starts - under 66% completions
71. TJ Finley, SR, GAST, 6-7 238, 33 starts - under 66% completions
75. Tyler Van Dyke, SR, SMU, 6-4 230, 30 starts - under 66% completions
77. Zach Calzada, SR, UK, 6-4 230, 34 starts - under 66% completions

 

8. * Beau Pribula, SR, MIZ, 6-2 212, 10 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury) 67.2%. 11TD/9INT
9. Behren Morton, SR, TTU, 6-3 220, 35 starts 67.8% last season, 20TD/4INT, 9.1 avg
14. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts, 66.3%. 28TD/3INT, 9.3 avg
15. Cade Klubnik, SR, CLEM, 6-2 210, 41 starts, 66%, 52TD/12INT, 7.6 avg
16. Caden Veltkamp, JR, FAU, 6-6 236, 25 starts, 67.1%, 24TD/17INT
17. * Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, JR, MAR, 6-2 215, 13 starts * (partial 2025 season, injury), 66.8%, 17TD/5INT, 8.0 avg
18. Carson Beck, SR, MIA, 6-4 220, 39 starts, 74.7%, 25TD/10INT
21. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts * 74.2%, 15TD/4INT, 12.3 avg
28. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts, 66.5% 2024. 24TD/8INT, 8.4 avg*
34. Fernando Mendoza, JR, IU, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%, 32TD/5INT, 9.4 avg
36. * Gunner Stockton, JR, UGA, 6-1 215, 13 starts * (full 2025 season), 70.2%, 20TD/5INT, 7.7 avg
37. Haynes King, SR, GT, 6-3 215, 39 starts, 71.7%, 26TD/7INT, 8.1 avg
40. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts, 67.1% career, 60TD/20INT, 9.1 avg
43. * Jalen Kitna, SR, UAB, 6-5 225, 18 starts * (one season 2025) 66.4%, 13TD/10INT
45. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts, 66.2%, 23TD/8INT* 9.2 avg
47. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts, 68.9%. 28TD/1INT, 8.4 avg *
48. Joey Aguilar, SR, TEN, 6-3 225, 37 starts, 66.8%, 24TD/10INT
59. Maverick McIvor, SR, WKU, 6-2 214, 40 starts, 67.3%, 12TD/5INT

 

9. Behren Morton, SR, TTU, 6-3 220, 35 starts 67.8% last season, 20TD/4INT, 9.1 avg, Rush: 33 for -76, 0 TD
14. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts, 66.3%. 28TD/3INT, 9.3 avg, Rush: 175 for 1008, 14 TD, 4.52 40
21. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts * 74.2%, 15TD/4INT, 12.3 avg, Rush: 130 for 791, 13 TD, 4.62 40
28. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts, 66.5% 2024. 24TD/8INT, 8.4 avg*, Rush: 96 for 302, 6 TD, 4.78 40
34. Fernando Mendoza, JR, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%, 32TD/5INT, 9.4 avg, Rush: 64 for 243, 6 TD, 4.70 40
40. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts, 67.1% career, 60TD/20INT, 9.1 avg, Rush: 80 for 8, 3 TD *, 4.82 40
45. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts, 66.2%, 12TD/8INT* 9.2 avg, Rush: 51 for 150, 6 TD, 4.76 40
47. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts, 68.9%. 28TD/1INT, 8.4 avg *, Rush: 47 for 131, 3 TD. 4.78 40

 

Preliminary ranking based on 40 times:

WHEELS
1. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts, 66.3%. 28TD/3INT, 9.3 avg, Rush: 175 for 1008, 14 TD, 4.52 40

MOBILE
2. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts * 74.2%, 15TD/4INT, 12.3 avg, Rush: 130 for 791, 13 TD, 4.62 40

SCRABMLER
3. Fernando Mendoza, JR, IU, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%, 32TD/5INT, 9.4 avg, Rush: 64 for 243, 6 TD, 4.70 40

STRICTLY POCKET
4. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts, 66.2%, 23TD/8INT* 9.2 avg, Rush: 51 for 150, 6 TD, 4.76 40
5. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts, 66.5% 2024. 24TD/8INT, 8.4 avg*, Rush: 96 for 302, 6 TD, 4.78 40
5. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts, 68.9%. 28TD/1INT, 8.4 avg *, Rush: 47 for 131, 3 TD. 4.78 40
7. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts, 67.1% career, 60TD/20INT, 9.1 avg, Rush: 80 for 8, 3 TD *, 4.82

 

Preliminary ranking based on team 3rd conversion rates:

WHEELS
1. Byrum Brown, SR, USF, 6-3 231, 32 starts, 66.3%. 28TD/3INT, 9.3 avg, Rush: 175 for 1008, 14 TD, 4.52 40
3rd down conversions - 48%

MOBILE
2. * Cole Payton, SR, NDSU, 6-3 233, 12 starts * 74.2%, 15TD/4INT, 12.3 avg, Rush: 130 for 791, 13 TD, 4.62 40
3rd down conversions - 50%

SCRABMLER
3. Fernando Mendoza, JR, IU, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%, 32TD/5INT, 9.4 avg, Rush: 64 for 243, 6 TD, 4.70 40
3rd down conversions -57%

STRICTLY POCKET
4. Jayden Maiava, JR, USC, 6-4 230, 29 starts, 66.2%, 23TD/8INT* 9.2 avg, Rush: 51 for 150, 6 TD, 4.76 40
3rd down conversions - 52%

5. Drew Allar, SR, PSU, 6-5 235, 34 starts, 66.5% 2024. 24TD/8INT, 8.4 avg*, Rush: 96 for 302, 6 TD, 4.78 40
3rd down conversions - 46%

5. Joe Fagnano, SR, UCON, 6-4 225, 46 starts, 68.9%. 28TD/1INT, 8.4 avg *, Rush: 47 for 131, 3 TD. 4.78 40
3rd down conversions - 43%

7. Jacob Clark, SR, MIZST, 6-5 220, 29 starts, 67.1% career, 60TD/20INT, 9.1 avg, Rush: 80 for 8, 3 TD *, 4.82
3rd down conversions - 35%

 

There is only one QB worth drafting and talking to:

SCRABMLER
1. Fernando Mendoza, JR, IU, 6-5 225, 31 starts, 72%, 32TD/5INT, 9.4 avg, Rush: 64 for 243, 6 TD, 4.70 40
3rd down conversions -57%

 

Some of the Steelers QBs:

1. Big Ben. JR. MIAOH, 6-5 241, 38 starts, 69.1%, 7.5 avg
2. Landry Jones, SR, OU, 6-4 225, 53 starts. 66.1%, 7.7 avg
3. Joshua Dobbs, SR, TEN, 6-3 216, 32 starts, 63% completions
4. Mason Rudolph, SR. OKST, 6-5 235, 42 starts, 65% completions
5. Kenny Pickett, SR, PIT, 6-3 219, 52 starts, 67.2% completions, 42TD/7INT, 8.5 avg, Rush: 97 for 241, 5TD, 4.65 40
6. * Mitchell Trubisky, JR, NC, 6-2 222, 13 starts * 68% completions, 30TD/6INT, 8.4 avg * Rush: 93 for 305, 5TD, 4.67 40
7. Justin Fields, JR, tOSU, 6-3 227, 22 starts, 68% completions, 63TD/9INT, 11 avg, Rush: 218 for 867, 15TD, 4.46 40



3d down efficiency

WHEELS
1. Justin Fields
49% 2020 season

MOBILE
2. Kenny Pickett
43% 2021 season

3. Mitchell Trubisky * limited experience
46% 2016 season



FINAL RANKING:
None are draftable.

 

Top AFC quarterbacks we are contending against:

1. Josh Allen, JR, WYO, 6-5 237, 25 starts, 56% completions
2. Patrick Mahomes, JR, TTU, 6-2 225, 30 starts, 65% completions *
3. Daniel Jones, JR, DUKE, 6-5 222, 36 starts, 60% completions
4. * Drake Maye, SO, NC, 6-4 223, 26 starts, 66.2% completions 2022, 38TD/7INT, 8.4 avg *, Rush: 184 for 698,7 TD, 4.62 40
5. Lamar Jackson, JR, LOU, 6-2 216, 38 starts, 57% completions
6. Bo Nix, SR, ORE. 6-2 214, 61 starts. 77.4% completions, 45TD/3INT, 9.6 avg, Rush: 54 for 234, 6 TD, 4.62 40
7. Justin Herbert, SR, ORE, 6-6 236, 44 starts, 66.8% completions, 32TD/6INT, 8.1 avg
8. Joe Burrow, SR, LSU, 6-4 221, 28 starts, 69% completions, 76TD/11int, 9.4 avg, Rush: 243 for 1067, 12TD, 4.76 40


3d down efficiency
1. Joe Burrow, 50% conversion
2. Bo Nix, 51% conversions
3. Drake Maye, 48% conversion


RANKING:
None are draftable.

 

Thank you for the typing. But I listed 10 checkpoints. Only 1 or 2 guys will be 10 for 10

Go on the combine or pro day for the measurements as some programs - Ahem add #s for the guys.

I have yet to see King play, but he is integrating. Stockton is more up my draft chart as well..

 

There are stats and measurables available right now. We can filter out those who don't meet the criteria.

 

Hey now, just because a guy does not check every sigle box, absolutely does not make him un-draftable!

As I said that are rankings for each box that pass the bar... good, very good and excellent.

Also some Qb's have NFL players around them. Other have few or none. I grade those who lack skill players on a curve.

Example Ben.


And Josh Allen was Excellet on size and arm.

Mahomes at 65% does not check 1/3 or a box. He misses by 1% Herbet does not check 1.3 of a box either. But like Allen he is excellent on arm and size.


I take it by now, you have my point.

 

What do you guys think of Chad Powers, South GA?

 

Interesting read
One question
Do you think this current coaching staff can develop ideal qb?

 

I would not move up to #1 overall, rather stay put and draft Big Ben.