Baker Mayfield  6’0  215 Lbs

Strengths

Baker Mayfield, the most exciting player in college football, has moved onto the NFL after a very decorated and controversial career. The 6’0 215 pound reining Heisman winner has a lot going in his favor. The thing that really stands out is his improvisation and Mobility. He always seems to make something out of nothing. When a play breaks down, you can count on Baker to make a positive play happen, and usually, it tends to be a big play. His ability to scramble, make plays, and feel the defenders, is pretty special. He also has great accuracy on all three levels. He can hit the defender in the numbers short, intermediate, and especially deep, and for a guy his size, his arm strength. His arm strength is maximized because of his great footwork and mechanics. Another thing is he uses his eyes very well. He can go through reads but also looks off defenders to manipulate them into thinking he’s going one way when he is really going the other way the entire time. Overall, there is a ton to like with Mayfield, as his production and talent cannot be denied, along with his leadership and on the field intangibles.

Weakness: There are two major on the field concerns that I have with Mayfield. The first is his height. There is nothing he can do about it, but his 6 foot/6’1 frame is scary, considering how few QB’s are successful at that height. Finding throwing windows will be a struggle for him, and passes will be batted down. The second is he holds onto the ball way to long. Yes, his innovation skills are awesome, but sometimes, you have to just throw the ball away and live for another down. This clip here shows a nice play in CFB, but one that would be a disaster 10 yard sack in the NFl. He just needs to be smarter with the football and know when a play is dead. Holding onto the ball too long gets QB’s in trouble. And yes, the off the field stuff gives me hesitation on his maturity, but with his leadership and how much his teammates love him, I am not too worried about his locker room effect.

Grade: 89

QB2

Pro comp: Russell Wilson

Round 1

Strengths: When it comes to Josh Rosen, you can see why scouts are drooling over this guy. It’s because he looks the part. He throws a very pretty ball. His mechanics are flawless, it looks like he was born to be a quarterback. He has very good accuracy as well. He countlessly makes throws that are NFL throws, and knows whether to put touch on the ball or to fire it in. He is a very smart QB as well. His football IQ is off the charts. He has good size for the position, as he stands at 6’4. Overall, when you watch Rosen, he fits the prototype. He has the size, smarts, and can throw with accuracy, anticipation, and touch on all three levels. Whats not to like?

Weaknesses: Well, there is a lot not to like, in my opinion. The first thing that really bothers me about his game is his lack of mobility. He cannot move in the pocket, and in a league that is continuing to go towards mobility, he is a statue in the pocket. His pocket presence is fine, but he does not have the athleticism to dodge defenders, and extend plays. Another thing I am not head over heels for is his arm strength. His arm is good, but he has no pop or zip when he throws. His velocity isn’t great, and I don’t know if his arm strength on the deep ball will be good enough against NFL players with that kind of speed. Combine that with a guy who has trouble staying healthy, it is curious to me why everyone is so sure about this guy. He never won in college, and doesn’t seem to have that clutch gene or killer instinct. I don’t mind that he is outspoken, but all these concerns scare me to death. I just don’t think he is as sure-fire of a prospect as everyone says he is.

Grade: 89

Pro comp: Eli Manning

Round: 1

Strengths: Let me get this out of the way. If any of you who watched Darnold stink it up in his bowl game against Ohio State are proclaiming him as a bust without actually watching his tape, then you sound like an uneducated idiot. There is a lot to like about Darnold’s game. The first is his accuracy. Whether he is on the move or standing in the pocket, he has pinpoint accuracy. He has a great feel for where his guys are on the field and hits them in places where they can catch the ball and make a play. Along with accuracy, comes his Anticipation and Ball placement. His ability to throw receivers open is advanced beyond his years. He makes anticipation throws that many guys in the NFL can’t make. Along with that, he not only throws the ball accurately, but his ball placement, especially over the middle of the field, is excellent. His pocket presence is also awesome. He has a slick way of maneuvering within the pocket. He isn’t the most athletic guy, but his improvisation within the pocket is fun to watch. He is a guy who can make something out of nothing. He is a smart kid and a good leader. Teammates seem to really like him. His field vision is also really good. He does a nice job of going through his progressions and hitting the right guy. Overall, there is a lot to like about his game.

Weaknesses: While there is a lot to like about Darnolds game, there are definitely some questions and concerns about him. The first is his lack of arm strength. While his arm is fine, it is not elite and behind the likes of Rosen’s, Allen’s, Jackson’s, and Mayfield’s. His mechanics are funky as well. His motion is so long that it makes his receivers windows tighter, since the separation does not last as long due to his long windup. He needs to tighten it up to make it easier on himself because the windows get tighter in the NFL. But the biggest concern I have about him is his turnovers. He is a risk taker, and sometimes it works out, but a lot of the times, it doesn’t. He also has a hard time holding onto the football when he gets hit. His fumbling is a problem.

Overall: He is a great, but raw, talent who has a lot of the tools to be a great QB, he just needs to work on his mechanics, and decision making .

Grade: 92

Pro comp: Philip Rivers

QB1