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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 22, 2010

NFL draft: Chicago Tribune: Rating the quarterbacks


By Dan Pompei
Chicago Tribune

It looks like a quarterback will be the first pick in the 2010 draft, but the overall group does not have NFL teams very excited. In fact, this is a very thin QB class.

1. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, 6-4, 236: He probably would have been the first pick in the draft if he came out last year, and it looks like he'll go No. 1 this year. He is a complete quarterback prospect with intangibles to match his ability. Bradford is an accurate thrower who can also deliver the deep ball. He is fluid athletically, but won't be a prolific scrambler. He can avoid the pass rush and remain composed while doing it. He shows excellent leadership qualities. Bradford played with a lot of talent around him, so some scouts wonder how he'll respond if he is asked to carry his teammates. The shoulder separation that ended his season does not appear to be a problem.

2. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, 6-2, 222. Some scouts think he has a better arm than Bradford's. Clausen is accurate and physically very talented. His arm strength is impressive, and his mechanics are sound. His mobility is good enough, and he shows good footwork. He has experience playing in a pro style offense. Clausen showed mental and physical toughness during a trying college career. He doesn't always make good decisions, and sometimes short circuits under pressure. His attitude, sense of entitlement and ability to lead have been questioned. His hands (nine inches) are smaller than ideal, and his arms are shorter (30 fl inches) than you'd like.

3. Colt McCoy, Texas, 6-1, 216. He is a little bit like Drew Brees because he is small for the position and instinctive, but he doesn't have Brees' arm strength. His accuracy is only average. His best bet would be in a West Coast passing game that doesn't require a lot of difficult throws. McCoy has top intangibles and leadership potential. He is athletic and has the ability to escape pressure and throw on the run. He sometimes bails out too early, though, and can be rattled. He is a winner who was very productive at Texas, but a lot of his production has come on short passes and checkdowns.

4. Tim Tebow, Florida, 6-3, 236. He was one of the greatest college players in history, and his mere presence would enhance any locker room because of his leadership ability. But no one is sure if this lefty can play quarterback in a conventional offense. Part of the problem is his unorthodox delivery. Part of the problem is his accuracy is off. And part of the problem is he has never been asked to take snaps under center and make reads the way he will be making reads in the NFL. Committing to him might mean altering the offense. He's big and tough and runs with speed, elusiveness, power and vision, which is why some teams talk about making him a tight end, running back or safety. His arm is plenty strong. He can't be counted on to be a contributor quickly.

5. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan, 6-3, 230. This very productive player from Benet Academy in Lisle, Ill., is athletic and tough, and has a feel for the position. He is a fairly accurate thrower, especially in the pocket. He doesn't have as much arm strength as most NFL starting quarterbacks, however, and will be challenged to complete the deep out. He also played in a spread offense out of the shotgun and will be asked to do a lot more in the NFL in terms of reads and progressions. LeFevour can move a little, but won't be a big running threat.

6. Jarrett Brown, West Virginia, 6-3, 224. He has a nice combination of size and athleticism. Brown isn't a finished product yet, but he could develop in the right system and with the right coaches. He has a very strong arm, but his accuracy is erratic. He needs to improve his consistency. Brown scrambles very effectively. His leadership ability is a plus.

7. Mike Kafka, Northwestern, 6-3, 225. His stock has been climbing steadily since he became a starter last fall. Kafka is a work in progress because of his lack of experience, but he shows a lot of intriguing qualities. He's a tough player with a strong enough arm and good enough accuracy. He is athletic and mobile. He manages the game well. Kafka makes some bad decisions from time to time, however. He hurt his stock with five interceptions in Northwestern's bowl loss to Auburn, but rebounded with a strong Senior Bowl performance.

8. John Skelton, Fordham, 6-5, 243. This is another passer with a cannon arm. He doesn't always control where it's going very well, however. Skelton is a big quarterback, and is a pretty good athlete for his size. He seems to have a good feel for reading defenses, though he'll have a major jump in level of competition. Scouts question his desire and leadership capacity.

9. Jevan Snead, Mississippi, 6-3, 219. At one time he was considered one of the top quarterback prospects, but his star has faded. He originally was supposed to go to Florida, but left when Tim Tebow committed. Then he went to Texas, and he left after being beaten out by Colt McCoy. His skills are intriguing. He has a big arm, but he has been interception prone. He is not consistently accurate with his passes. One mistake has often led to others with Snead.

10. Tony Pike, Cincinnati, 6-6, 223. If he were to be judged solely on his tape, Pike would have been a much higher ranked prospect. He is a big, tough passer who delivers the ball where it is supposed to be. His arm strength is good enough. He was highly productive and successful last season. He doesn't always make great decisions. In passing drills at the combine, he performed terribly. He is thin and could be a durability risk. Some scouts question if he has the necessary intangibles.

11. Daryll Clark, Penn State, 6-2, 235. This is an athletic player who could be considered at other positions (running back? linebacker?). He has been compared to former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, who now is a running back for the 49ers. Clark could help a team as a Wildcat quarterback. Clark is a pretty good thrower with impressive arm strength, but his throwing mechanics need improving. He was a great college player who found ways to win games. He is competitive and shows leadership qualities.

12. Levi Brown, Troy, 6-3, 229. He was a very productive player playing in a spread offense against a lower level of competition. Brown has a nice delivery and shows accuracy but lacks top arm strength. A transfer from Richmond, Brown has good size. He needs to be considered a developmental prospect and is a good candidate for a practice squad.

13. Sean Canfield, Oregon State, 6-4, 223. The left-hander came on strong last season, developing as both a player and a leader. Canfield is a very accurate passer who doesn't have a lot of arm strength. He is not very mobile.

14. Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, 5-10, 187. This is not a conventional quarterback prospect because Edwards is so small. But he was such a good college player and his quarterback skills are good enough that some NFL teams believe he can settle into some kind of role at the next level. Edwards probably isn't fast enough to play receiver, but he does have decent movement skills. He is comparable to Seneca Wallace, and could be drafted to be a Wildcat quarterback.

15. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State, 6-2, 214. This is an athletic quarterback and former wide receiver who showed his ability at the combine. He also played well at the Senior Bowl. His accuracy leaves something to be desired however, and his decision making is inconsistent. He had the respect of teammates.

16. Bill Stull, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 212. He came on strong his senior season and got the attention of NFL teams, but he still may lack the size and arm talent most teams are looking for. He did acquit himself well in his workout, and he is a very accurate passer.

17. Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee, 6-3, 222. This is a fairly mobile quarterback with a live arm. He is an inconsistent thrower, both in terms of accuracy and reading defenses. He was considered an underachiever at Tennessee. Some scouts question his intangibles.