Front Porch FootballDraft Central: Position Rankings – Volume I – Quarterbacks
by Harris Oates
The 2019 NFL Draft boasts possibly the most stacked QB class in years and not only is it loaded, but there is so much diversity. The skill level is very high and there will be a lot of depth in this class, which means players will be moving up and down between now and draft night. The good news? We have 200 days until draft night.
Top Tier
Will Grier – West Virginia
Draft Range: Top 10
NFL Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
Grier has matured both on and off the field and has successfully silenced the haters. He has already passed for 1,400 yards and 17 Touchdowns, while completing 72% of his passes. He has elite velocity and quick release that separates him from the rest of this quarterback class that will help him to a starting spot in the NFL. Grier is also my pick to win Heisman.
Justin Herbert – Oregon
Draft Range: Top 10
NFL Comparison: Carson Wentz
Clearly, Herbert is one of the most talented players in college football. At 6’6” and 233 lbs, he has the best NFL size among quarterbacks and his stat line backs up his accuracy. Herbert has already thrown for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, this kid is a stud. Watch Herbert fly up draft boards and Heisman rankings.
Herbert has fantastic athleticism for his size. Image from the Athletic.
Ryan Finley – NC State
Draft Range: Round 1
NFL Comparison: Drew Brees
Finley, a redshirt senior who transferred from Boise State after two seasons, has as much experience as anyone in this draft. At 6’4” 212 lbs he has a great NFL frame and will quickly be able to learn NFL Playbook. Finley has completed 68.6% of his passes, throwing only 48 incompletions and 1 interception. His receivers have already passed double digit drops in the first four weeks.
Ryan Finley is accurate and consistent. Image from Post & Courier.
Drew Lock – Missouri
Draft Range: Round 1-3
NFL Comparison: Andrew Luck (Pre-Injury)
A year after Lock set the SEC single season touchdown record, he started the season strong posting 11 Touchdowns through the first three weeks. However, he seemed to come back down to earth week 4 against Georgia, where he was held to just 221 yards and completed less than 50% of his passes with no points in the air. These are the type of matchups he will need to take advantage of if he wants any chance of being selected in the first round of the draft. Lock has size, experience and arm strength that can wow NFL scouts, but he will need to prove his football IQ and touch are worthy of a top selection. After an abysmal effort against South Carolina Lock will have the biggest test of his career ahead of him, facing Alabama, Kentucky and Florida in the next 5 weeks.
Daniel Jones – Duke
Draft Range: Round 1-3
NFL Comparison: Cam Newton
Jones is a legit dual threat quarterback who is just where he wants to be: flying below the radar. Along with serious size (6’5” 225), arm strength and accuracy, he has tremendous football intelligence that has helped Duke become a legitimate contender in the ACC Coastal. If Jones declares after his Junior season look for his stock to rise while going through the draft process.
Duke has a veteran QB in Daniel Jones. Image from Duke Athletics.
Middle Tier
Clayton Thorson – Northwestern
Draft Range: Round 3-5
NFL Comparison: Alex Smith
A solid dual threat QB out of Northwestern has serious NFL potential. He will need to further showcase his arm in order to be drafted in the top 3 rounds. Even after an impressive win over Michigan State, I have Thorson ranked as my sixth overall quarterback due mainly to his inability to protect the football. In his career he has thrown 35 interceptions to his 50 touchdowns, 5 of which have come through the first 5 games this season.
The NFL might take a gamble in Thorson, but could have tremendous success. Image from USA Today.
Trace McSorley – Penn. State
Draft Range: Round 4-5
NFL Comparison: Tyrod Taylor
Another great dual threat QB who reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson. If his completion percentage and yards improve, so will his draft stock. Although he has already thrown for 10 touchdowns and run for 6, he has struggled to complete only 52% of his passes against, with exception to Ohio State, mediocre opponents. I could see a team like the Cowboys snagging McSorley somewhere in the middle rounds of this draft.
Late Round
Tyree Jackson – Buffalo
Draft Range: Round 6-7
NFL Comparison: Josh Allen
Jackson offers size (6’7”) and arm strength, but has a lot of development in front of him before being considered NFL starter quality.
Tyree Jackson and Co. are currently 5-1 with a loss to Army. Image from Buffalo Athletics.
Jake Browning – Washington
Draft Range: Round 6-7
NFL Comparison: Eli Manning
Browning is one of the most experienced passers in this class, but will also need to improve his consistency.
Shea Patterson – Michigan
Draft Range: Round 7
NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco
Patterson has a great skillset, but still has not been able to find his stride. Teams will definitely consider his intangibles and athleticism in the middle to late rounds of the draft.
It seems like Shea Patterson could never quite find his stride in college. Image from New York Post.
Everyone Else
Jarrett Stidham – Auburn
Stidham’s stock has fallen tremendously since the start of the season due to weak passing ability and pocket presence. He has looked stunned and even scared in many big games. If he can’t take the pressure of SEC pass rushers he won’t be able to handle the NFL. Don’t be surprised if Stidham elects to return to Auburn for one last chance to improve his draft stock.
Brett Rypien – Boise St
The son of Super Bowl MVP Quarterback Mark Rypien will deservingly get a shot at the NFL. He will most likely be a late round pick, but watch out for his stock to sneakily rise through the offseason process. Through five games the four year starter has thrown for 12 touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes.
Nick Fitzgerald – Miss. St.
Another SEC Quarterback who has a great chance at being drafted. Fitzgerald has struggles this year and has only thrown for 4 touchdowns and completed only 49% of his passes.
Fitzgerald has great running ability, but not the best at passing. Image from Sports Illustrated.
McKenzie Milton – UCF
Milton is a proven winner coming off a national championship season. It seems like he is lacking NFL size, but might just get a chance to prove he is a natural born winner.
Jake Bentley – South Carolina
Look for Bentley to return to South Carolina for one more season, but if he goes pro I think a team could take a chance on him in the late rounds.
Kyler Murray – Oklahoma
Murray, due to his baseball contract, is not a legitimate NFL prospect yet. However, if he wins Heisman and his stock continues to rise look for Murray to test out the waters of the NFL. He is an elite athlete who will be an all-star in a professional sport, we just don’t know which yet.
Murray was drafted in the first round by the Oakland A’s. Image from Getty Images.
Kyle Kempt – Iowa State
Kempt is probably the biggest question mark in this draft. The senior, who started in 8 games last season and posted solid statistics, has had very little experience. An ankle injury has potentially lost him his position this season as Brock Purdy seems to have come in at a great time and has led Iowa State to a decent 2-2 record while starting. Kempt had a decent amount of NFL hype, but his big arm will be useless without college experience.
Well written!