We’ve done our best to make sure each and every quarterback was covered this week, as all six provide skill sets that could fit into multiple NFL schemes. Each team (and media member) likely has “their guy” that they feel can rise from the “Late-1st, Early 2nd round” value to be a talented NFL starter.
These six quarterbacks didn’t show anything new this week, but each flashed more polish or natural talent than expected, while also magnifying some of the on-film concerns for each one.
Mike Glennon, NC State
Probably the most impressive of all the quarterbacks this week in terms of ball placement, especially down the field where he had the three prettiest balls of the week, Glennon built on his scouting report of being a quarterback who thrives when he gets to his drop steps, sets, and delivers across the field. However, he still showed his lack of foot speed, slow transitions in play action and rollouts, and stiff hips to change vision. A thinly built, wirey quarterback, he’ll need to bulk up and clean up his footwork if he hopes to be a Drew Bledsoe type QB in the NFL.
Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
Arguably the most impressive quarterback footwork-wise this week, Nassib quickly gets to his drops, gets adequate depth, and adjust his vision and feet well in the pocket. His ball placement downfield was still an issue (thanks to his high release point adjusting to throws past 30 yards, a likely correctable issue), the West Coast likely passer still impressed at times throughout the week. He’s still leaving as the event’s top quarterback in our eyes.
Zac Dysert, Miami (OH)
Dysert struggled the most among the North QBs (battling with Glennon/Nassib) with his ball placement, sailing most passes high throughout the week, and also showing the least in terms of switching fields for reads as well as using his eyes against safeties. Still, he made adequate progressions on one side of the field, made a handful of great throws throughout the week, including two on the run, and didn’t necessarily “hurt” his 2nd-3rd round grade from us this week.
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
Here at the Senior Bowl, Tyler Wilson confirmed our evaluations of him as an instinctive, natural thrower that can quickly diagnose and progress through multiple targets within a muddied pocket. Seeing a strong, albeit not elite arm on tape, Wilson also showed that he could make all the throws with back end velocity and placement. Throwing his receivers open with better placement than the rest of the South quarterbacks, Wilson stood head and shoulders above his competition in EJ Manuel and Landry Jones.
Landry Jones, Oklahoma
Also showing the same positives and negatives seen during preseason and in-season film study, Landry Jones flashed a big-time arm and sporadic ball placement, anticipation and timing. The ability certainly can be seen in the way Jones spins the football, but a lack of ideal anticipation and decisiveness down the field too often results in pass deflections and incompletions. Jones is in need of time and coaching before he can be a viable starting option at the next level, and could be on the outside looking in at the third round. Jones likely projects as a high risk/reward 4th or 5th round pick for NFL teams.
EJ Manuel, Florida State
While many gave glowing reviews of EJ Manuel this week, in the non-comprehensive yet still detailed enough view I had of him in the film room, he didn’t show anything mentally to further his progression. His release seemed to be lower at times and more fluid, which is a good thing and should make his ball placement against zones much better. However, he was checking down too quickly in 7v7, and didn’t impress all that much in team drills. More developed as a passer than I expected, he certainly helped himself this week. But he’s not in the “best quarterback here” discussion like some may have been claiming.
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