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The Way We Hear It — draft edition
QB derby remains intriguing; Draft Audibles
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 20, 2009
E-mail your draft questions to Nolan Nawrocki at ASKquestions@pfwmedia.com. He'll be answering selected questions in an online posting on Wednesday, April 22. Nawrocki also will host a draft-related live chat at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Teams in need of a quarterback are hoping that three will not be drafted in the top 10. Teams without a need at that position are hoping they are. But the biggest question facing teams that are drafting in the top 10, half of which PFW has consulted in the last 48 hours, is where the top quarterbacks will land.
Kansas State QB Josh Freeman
The way we hear it, the fastest-rising quarterback in this class is Kansas State’s Josh Freeman.
“From a pure talent perspective,” said Rams vice president of player personnel Tony Softli, “Freeman is as gifted as any of them.”
“I think he will be the best of this class when we look back in three years,” said one college scouting director not in the market for a passer. “He’s a football guy in and out between the ears. He has prototype size. He can move around the pocket and make all the throws.”
“He had nothing around him — no line, no receivers, to tight ends, no running backs — and he still beat Texas,” a general manager said. “To us, he has the best arm strength in this class, better than Stafford’s.”
Other evaluators think Freeman will have to sit a year before he is ready, and they shake their heads at the Ben Roethlisberger comparisons some observers have bestowed on Freeman.
“If teams have not learned their lesson from JaMarcus Russell and Jason Campbell, then that’s their problem,” another scouting director said. “But he is going to take some time.”
Opinions also remain mixed regarding Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, with Stafford consistently receiving the most praise in scouting circles for his track record.
“(Stafford) is thicker,” said a college scouting director. “He can handle a pounding. He has not been playing against inferior competition in the Pac-10 (as Sanchez did). He’s going up against the same caliber of athletes he will see in the NFL. He played behind a makeshift offensive line of freshmen and sophomores. I really like the way he responded against Alabama, putting on 31 points in the second half. He’s the real deal.”
For as much praise as Sanchez received after his pro-day workout, several teams drafting in the top 10 have acknowledged privately they want other teams to believe they are interested in drafting the USC passer. Still, one GM went as far as saying he thought Sanchez was the most ready to play of any quarterback in this year’s class, praising his athletic ability and confidence. But it has not stopped the Broncos, who possess the 12th overall pick and likely will not trade up in the draft because of salary-cap limitations, from reportedly scheduling a private workout with the USC passer, with the possibility remaining that he could fall to them at No. 12.
Seattle, Cleveland, Jacksonville and San Francisco are all believed to be potential landing spots for one of the elite quarterbacks. That competition might force the Commanders and the Jets, who are strongly believed to be the teams most likely to trade up for a QB, to jump into the top 10, where they could easily find some willing trade partners.
Draft Audibles
“(Mississippi DT) Peria Jerry can ball out for two quarters, but you put on the Senior Bowl game tape and he struggles to win if he does not win with his first move. You line him up over the top of big guards and he can’t handle it. He will have to be in gaps to have a chance. He does not fit us.”
“(Richmond DE-OLB) Lawrence Sidbury is not ready. He’s so raw. It’s awfully rich to take him in the first two rounds. He’s got the physical tools, but he’s just a pup.”
“(South Carolina TE) Jared Cook is too athletic not to get early looks. For me, he’s the best tight end in the draft. He can bring the most to the passing game. He’s not the most complete, but I like him the most as a receiver.”
“I love (Georgia WR) Mohamed Massaquoi. Anyone that interviews him will love him, but he was not even the best receiver on his own team. (Freshman WR) A.J. Green was the best. (Massaquoi) does not have top-end speed and he has some stiffness to him. He’ll always lack top-end (speed), but he will be a very good No. 2.”
“To me, (Alabama’s) Andre Smith is the most ready to play of any tackle in this class because of the system he came from. He played against a high level of competition. I think he will be a better guard than a tackle, but Day One, you can plug him in and he will play. Regardless of all (character concerns) that are talked about, he is a quality kid. His weight is our biggest worry.”
“I’m not sure there is a great guard in this draft class. To be honest, if we had to have one early, I would take one of the centers and make him a guard. I’d take Max Unger or Eric Wood early before I drafted a guard highly. Unger is so smart.”
“(Penn State DE) Aaron Maybin has the biggest upside of any pass rusher in this draft. He’s got elite pass-rush ability. He can be a big-time player in the right spot. We play our defensive ends a little differently than a lot of teams. If you need one to play the run, you’ll wish he played the run better, but in terms of natural leverage and body lean — he’s been taught well in a short time. He has a natural feel and does a lot on instinct. He will skyrocket with good coaching. He did not run a great 40, but he has great anticipation off the snap and gets on the quarterback quickly.”
“(LSU DE-DT) Tyson Jackson would have a difficult time playing for us. I don’t know if he is man enough to play defensive tackle and he is not the bend-off-the-edge pass rusher we want. He’ll make the 10 or 12 teams running the 3-4 very happy — he’s a naturally big guy with long arms and plays on his feet — but he is not a great pass rusher. I think he’s a five-technique only.”
QB derby remains intriguing; Draft Audibles
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 20, 2009
E-mail your draft questions to Nolan Nawrocki at ASKquestions@pfwmedia.com. He'll be answering selected questions in an online posting on Wednesday, April 22. Nawrocki also will host a draft-related live chat at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Teams in need of a quarterback are hoping that three will not be drafted in the top 10. Teams without a need at that position are hoping they are. But the biggest question facing teams that are drafting in the top 10, half of which PFW has consulted in the last 48 hours, is where the top quarterbacks will land.
Kansas State QB Josh Freeman
The way we hear it, the fastest-rising quarterback in this class is Kansas State’s Josh Freeman.
“From a pure talent perspective,” said Rams vice president of player personnel Tony Softli, “Freeman is as gifted as any of them.”
“I think he will be the best of this class when we look back in three years,” said one college scouting director not in the market for a passer. “He’s a football guy in and out between the ears. He has prototype size. He can move around the pocket and make all the throws.”
“He had nothing around him — no line, no receivers, to tight ends, no running backs — and he still beat Texas,” a general manager said. “To us, he has the best arm strength in this class, better than Stafford’s.”
Other evaluators think Freeman will have to sit a year before he is ready, and they shake their heads at the Ben Roethlisberger comparisons some observers have bestowed on Freeman.
“If teams have not learned their lesson from JaMarcus Russell and Jason Campbell, then that’s their problem,” another scouting director said. “But he is going to take some time.”
Opinions also remain mixed regarding Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez, with Stafford consistently receiving the most praise in scouting circles for his track record.
“(Stafford) is thicker,” said a college scouting director. “He can handle a pounding. He has not been playing against inferior competition in the Pac-10 (as Sanchez did). He’s going up against the same caliber of athletes he will see in the NFL. He played behind a makeshift offensive line of freshmen and sophomores. I really like the way he responded against Alabama, putting on 31 points in the second half. He’s the real deal.”
For as much praise as Sanchez received after his pro-day workout, several teams drafting in the top 10 have acknowledged privately they want other teams to believe they are interested in drafting the USC passer. Still, one GM went as far as saying he thought Sanchez was the most ready to play of any quarterback in this year’s class, praising his athletic ability and confidence. But it has not stopped the Broncos, who possess the 12th overall pick and likely will not trade up in the draft because of salary-cap limitations, from reportedly scheduling a private workout with the USC passer, with the possibility remaining that he could fall to them at No. 12.
Seattle, Cleveland, Jacksonville and San Francisco are all believed to be potential landing spots for one of the elite quarterbacks. That competition might force the Commanders and the Jets, who are strongly believed to be the teams most likely to trade up for a QB, to jump into the top 10, where they could easily find some willing trade partners.
Draft Audibles
“(Mississippi DT) Peria Jerry can ball out for two quarters, but you put on the Senior Bowl game tape and he struggles to win if he does not win with his first move. You line him up over the top of big guards and he can’t handle it. He will have to be in gaps to have a chance. He does not fit us.”
“(Richmond DE-OLB) Lawrence Sidbury is not ready. He’s so raw. It’s awfully rich to take him in the first two rounds. He’s got the physical tools, but he’s just a pup.”
“(South Carolina TE) Jared Cook is too athletic not to get early looks. For me, he’s the best tight end in the draft. He can bring the most to the passing game. He’s not the most complete, but I like him the most as a receiver.”
“I love (Georgia WR) Mohamed Massaquoi. Anyone that interviews him will love him, but he was not even the best receiver on his own team. (Freshman WR) A.J. Green was the best. (Massaquoi) does not have top-end speed and he has some stiffness to him. He’ll always lack top-end (speed), but he will be a very good No. 2.”
“To me, (Alabama’s) Andre Smith is the most ready to play of any tackle in this class because of the system he came from. He played against a high level of competition. I think he will be a better guard than a tackle, but Day One, you can plug him in and he will play. Regardless of all (character concerns) that are talked about, he is a quality kid. His weight is our biggest worry.”
“I’m not sure there is a great guard in this draft class. To be honest, if we had to have one early, I would take one of the centers and make him a guard. I’d take Max Unger or Eric Wood early before I drafted a guard highly. Unger is so smart.”
“(Penn State DE) Aaron Maybin has the biggest upside of any pass rusher in this draft. He’s got elite pass-rush ability. He can be a big-time player in the right spot. We play our defensive ends a little differently than a lot of teams. If you need one to play the run, you’ll wish he played the run better, but in terms of natural leverage and body lean — he’s been taught well in a short time. He has a natural feel and does a lot on instinct. He will skyrocket with good coaching. He did not run a great 40, but he has great anticipation off the snap and gets on the quarterback quickly.”
“(LSU DE-DT) Tyson Jackson would have a difficult time playing for us. I don’t know if he is man enough to play defensive tackle and he is not the bend-off-the-edge pass rusher we want. He’ll make the 10 or 12 teams running the 3-4 very happy — he’s a naturally big guy with long arms and plays on his feet — but he is not a great pass rusher. I think he’s a five-technique only.”
