Mid-Season QB Scouting Report

by Harris Oates

As the college football season begins to heat up, so do the draft boards, and as you already know I am a Quarterback fanatic and have been paying close attention to this year’s class of prospects. I spoke with Dan, a fellow blogger who runs the popular website and Instagram “The Draft Scout”, to see how our rankings compare.

Top 5 Quarterbacks in 2019 Draft Class

1.

FPF Draft Central – Daniel Jones, Duke

Strengths – I think Jones is an elite athlete with the highest IQ in this draft. He has played in a sophisticated offense under David Cutcliffe for the past 4 years and has improved his accuracy each season. He boasts impressive size and could be this year’s first QB off the board. Look for Jones to continue to improve throughout the draft process and interview better than any other player at the combine.

Weaknesses – sometimes misses throws in tight windows and can force passes when they aren’t there.

The Draft Scout – Justin Herbert, Oregon

Strengths – elite arm talent, generates awesome velocity on the ball, good job with lower half aligning and firing off back hip, processes post snap information quickly, knows how to manipulate zone with eyes, puts the ball on a line into tight windows, incredible placement over the middle of the field, great athlete for size.
Weaknesses – Will try force passes into coverage, needs to be more confident in the face of pressure.

Justin Herbert has tremendous athleticism for his size. Image from Getty Images.

2.

FPF Draft Central – Will Grier, WVU

Strengths – Grier is a gamer and has posted incredible stats throughout his career. He is consistent with his touch and also has great athletic ability.

Weaknesses – He sometimes forces passes that shouldn’t be and lacks elite size.

Will Grier looks to continue his success at the next level. Image from Getty Images.

The Draft Scout – Dewayne Haskins, OSU

 Strengths – Strong armed passer who throws the ball well to all levels, shown he can read the whole field, takes care of the ball and will use underneath routes if nothing open downfield, placement is excellent in the short game and always leads receivers, quick release.

Weaknesses – Struggles with pressure, accuracy and decision-making fall of when hurried, locks onto targets.

3.

FPF Draft Central – Justin Herbert, Oregon

Strengths – Another great athlete with tremendous athletic ability. Maybe the strongest arm in the draft, which reminds me a lot of Josh Allen from last year.

Weaknesses – Unsure in how sophisticated his football IQ is, however he has consistently in his completion rate. Seems to crumble under the pressure of big ballgames and rely on his running backs.

The Draft Scout – Daniel Jones, Duke

 Strengths – Smart player with great feel for the position, processes defense quickly post snap, plus athlete, looks comfortable in the pocket and navigates well vs pressure, active feet and sets base well, places the ball well relative to coverage, mechanically very clean with a quick release, throws a pretty deep ball.
Weaknesses – Lacks elite arm talent to drive ball with velocity, can force throws at times.

Daniel Jones reads defenses better than his competition. Image from USA Today.

4.

FPF Draft Central– Ryan Finley, NC State

Strengths – An experienced, accurate passer who rarely throws interceptions. Reminds me a lot of Andrew Luck in college and seems to be able to learn any playbook, regardless of size.

Weaknesses – Has struggled against ranked opponents and has had stretches of inconsistency. Not sure how well he will do against NFL pass rushers. Sometimes holds onto ball too long.

Ryan Finley tends to hold onto the ball too long. Image from USA Today.

 The Draft Scout – Will Grier, WVU

Strengths – Great escaping pressure, has the mobility to pick up yards on the ground, very accurate in short and intermediate game, solid arm strength, competitive dude who players rally around.
Weaknesses – Awful decision maker when moved in the pocket, comes from a 1 read offense, footwork needs a lot of work and limits velocity, lacks feel for pressure in the pocket.

5.

FPF Draft Central – Drew Lock, Missouri

 Strengths – Amazing arm strength, looks like he is skipping stones. Great touch and finds open receivers. Not extremely mobile, but can move.

Weaknesses – Cocky and immature. He lets other teams get into his head. Not sure if he can handle an NFL playbook. Probably would take it personally if he read this.

The Draft Scout – Drew Lock, Missouri

Strengths – Superb arm talent and ability to make tight window throws, solid deep ball, precise with placement when given time and gets feet set, mixes touch and velocity well.

Weaknesses – Frantic vs pressure, feet get messy and accuracy falls off, struggles working from read to read, will lock (lol) onto targets and stare them down, retreats vs pressure, has serious issues with lower half when throwing.

Drew Lock has had a rollercoaster of a season. Image from Getty Images.