Western
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,053
- Reaction score
- 2,627
1. Justin Herbert, Oregon
Strengths – Accurate to all levels, good decision-maker and can make plays late in the down. Fourth in overall PFF grading over the past two seasons at 90.4.
Room to improve in 2018 – Needs to get more consistent with processing and accuracy to second and third options. Blitz recognition can better, has been middle of the pack with grade against the blitz the past two seasons. Making it through a full season will be big after missing chunks of the 2016 and 2017 seasons with injuries.
2. Will Grier, West Virginia
Strengths – Confident thrower down the seams and over the top of the defense, posted the most big-time throws on 20-plus yard passes in 2017. Shows the poise to hang in the pocket and work through multiple reads.
Room to improve in 2018 – Decision-making under duress. At times can force the ball down the field when under pressure, needs to find more outlets and not always look for the big play.
3. Ryan Finley, NC State
Strengths – Steady and consistent player with ability to play within in the offense – gets the ball out on time and to the right place. Finished 10th in overall grades in 2017.
Room to improve in 2018 – Possessing just marginal arm strength, Finley must win with precise accuracy at intermediate 10-19 yard area of the field, where he has struggled when the coverage gets tight on the back end. Also can clean up his red-zone plays as he finished with a below average grade of 59.4.
4. Drew Lock, Missouri
Strengths – Elite vertical thrower with the ability to stretch any part of the field – has the most big-time throws on 20-plus yard attempts over the past two seasons and third-most yards at 2,504. True timing and rhythm passer who has good accuracy when the defensive look goes as he expects it post snap.
Room to improve in 2018 – Decision-making and his play late in the down. Lock has been inconsistent dissecting secondary coverage, needs to be better at finding outlets and more completions instead of forcing throws that aren’t there. 89th out of 93 qualifiers in adjusted completion percentage on plays lasting longer than 3.0 seconds over the past two seasons.
5. Mckenzie Milton, UCF
Strengths – Playmaker with good overall feel for the position. Shows good downfield touch, leading all players in 2017 in yards on 20-plus yard throws at 1,812.
Room to improve in 2018 – Accuracy can be spotty, with balls fluttering when zip is needed at the intermediate 10-19 yard level. Although out of his control, will battle size issues as he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds.
6. Manny Wilkins, Arizona State
7. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
8. Brett Rypien, Boise State
9. Eric Dungey, Syracuse
10. J’Mar Smith, Louisiana Tech
