2010 NFL Draft Preview - Quarterbacks

With the excitement of the Super Bowl (and the Saints victory) behind us, it's time to look at the increasingly intriguing NFL offseason. One of our great passions has always been the NFL Draft, and it'll be a thrill for us to bring you extensive NFL offseason coverage focusing on the NFL Draft. First up, the top QBs for the Class of 2010. Brother Yohey will help us out with his expertise and his Top 5 QBs heading into the draft. I'll come in with thoughts on some other QBs to watch below, take it away Yohey!

In this entry, I will divulge my list of the top 5 QB's entering this year's Draft. This year will be nowhere close to the 1983 QB Class, nor 2004 for that matter. There are the solid #1 and #2 QB's, followed by a lot of indecision. No indecision here though - forget Mel "Toupee" Kiper or Todd McSham. Brother Yohey is here to give you the only ranking of QB's you will need. Let's Get It on!

1. Sam Bradford (OU)

Strengths: Sam Bradford has started at OU since his freshman year and has grown into an elite FBS QB. Bradford is the most accurate passer in this year's draft. He can make all the throws and anticipates routes very well to put the ball where it needs to go so only his receiver comes down with it. Not to mention he is a Heisman Trophy winner. Working under an offense with pro tendencies will help Bradford develop into a quality QB for the NFL team that selects him. He is a stand up kid who has a tireless work ethic and next to JC QB is the prospect with the highest character.

Weaknesses: Bradford doesn't have a great build for QB. He is somewhat lanky and has an issue with is throwing shoulder that he seems to have overcome, but you never know when Ray Lewis or any defensive player gets a hit on him if it will cause re-injury. Bradford also never really had to play against any team with great defensive speed that he will see in the NFL. There are no SEC defenses in the Big 12 and Bradford will have to overcome that to succeed.

Reminds me of: Peyton Manning.

Best Fit: Rams - Bulger is done and the sooner Knull gets out of uniform the better there for everybody. Steve Spagnuolo will get the chance to put his stamp on this team and get them a young QB to build around. Bradford, Avery and Jackson could be a long lasting relationship for St. Louis try to rekindle the "Greatest Show on Turf."

Projection: Top 5 Pick

2. Jimmy Clausen (ND)

Strengths: Started under Charlie Weis in a Pro-Style offense through and through. Clausen can take the snaps from under center, shotgun, handle the 3-5-7 step drops and get the ball out quickly. He shows good pocket awareness and puts good spin on the ball. I remember watching ND games and being amazed at the ball coming out of his hands; there is nothing better to me than to see a football thrown that has a tight spiral. Clausen has the ability to air the ball out and put it in front of a speedy receiver to run under. A great talent that has limitless potential in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Clausen can throw some beautiful fades, however, they sometimes have too much air under them. He has to get that under control because with fades, the WR can't wait for the ball to come down in the endzone. They have to get it at its highest point and bring it down. Clausen almost has a mechanical way in which he throws; seems forced and not real natural. He also hasn't had the best performances in big games. The only negative against him is his non-physical attributes and Brady Quinn's lack of success from Nore Dame (and it pains me to say this as a Browns fan). Clausen may have those problems and will have to break the Weis curse.

Reminds me of: Philip Rivers.

Best Fit: Not as clean cut as Bradford. He could equally go to Oakland, Washington or Buffalo. JaMarcus Russell is a burnt out bulb and unless Al Davis has gotten more senile he will be gone, Mike Shannahan may fall in love with him but you never know and Buffalo has been hurting for a QB since Jim Kelly left (remember Rob Johnson??!!??). It will all depend with Washington at #4.

Projection: Top 10 Pick

3. Jarrett Brown (WVU)

Strengths: Freakish athletic ability. Brown can move around in the pocket and scramble when he wants to and put the ball out there with some zip to the receivers. Although he only has one year under his belt he made many people remember the days of Pat White, although Brown fits the NFL QB mold more. White is being used in the Wildcat packages, where Brown can get under center and take the snaps every play. Brown can throw the outs with velocity on them and has displayed some nice touch in the intermediate routes. He showed that he could run the South offense in the Senior Bowl and the coaches, you can be assured, took notice.

Weaknesses: Is he this draft's Akili Smith; one year wonder? Time will tell if he is Akili or McNabb but whoever drafts him will have to be patient. Past Bradford and Clausen you aren't getting someone you can plug right in and expect wins. Brown will have to be a project to get more experience under his belt. Teams will have to wonder if his run-first mentality will kick in and he won't have the patience to let plays develops.

Reminds me of: David Garrard

Best Fit: Somewhere where he can sit and develop. Minnesota, Jacksonville and Arizona leap to mind.

Projection: Mid-3rd Round

4. Colt McCoy (UT)

Strengths: The QB in this year's draft with the most experience, which should bode well for Colt. He had to take the reigns of Mack Brown's National Title team after VY left and he did not disapoint. 45 wins during his tenure is exceptional and the kid knows what it takes to be a winner. Colt played big in big games and was one of the best in the FBS when hitting the intermediate throws. The chemistry he had with Jordan Shipley showed the type of QB he can be as well as the type of teammate. Colt is a great character player for any team to have and will be a great locker room addition. The game against Texas A&M showed what Colt can do when a play breaks down and he has to use his feet. He is sufficiently mobile and has great pocket awareness.

Weaknesses: How is the shoulder? That will surely be tested at the combine. Also, Colt is exceptional throwing the intermediate routes but hasn't shown exceptional ability to air the ball out. Teams are going to have to find out if he can hit the WR streaking 40 yards down the field or if he can drop the ball into their hands when they are running up the seam. All the throws that are necessary, Colt is going to have to show he can make.

Reminds me of: Matt Schaub

Best Fit: Tennessee. I know that VY showed his skills this season but can he be trusted to run the team for the next decade? Not only would this bring two of UT's greatest QBs together but will allow Tennessee to let Colt sit and learn while Vince plays, since you never know when something may come up with Vince. If Colt would have to he could step in and take hold, much like he did at UT.

Projection: Late 2nd - Early 3rd

5. Tony Pike (UC)

Strengths: The man who got Brian Kelly to ND takes his game to the NFL. Pike, at 6'6" has no trouble with field vision and watching plays develop. Being able to see over the linemen will be key in his ability to make decisions and adjust to what the defenses are going to throw at him. The game to me that showed Pike's ability to be an NFL QB was against Pittsburgh for the Big East Title. His game winning TD pass to Armon Binns in the endzone made me just say, "wow". This kid could be something special and his rocket arm coupled with his size makes him an alluring prospect for an NFL team.

Weaknesses: I hate, HATE to use two Cleveland Browns QB's for my negatives, but Pike could be the next Derek Anderson. He can sometimes make the most beautiful touch passes and zip that ball in to a tight window but then makes some WTF throws. Anderson has tremendous trouble with the intermediate routes, floating the ball over between the LB and S. Pike may have these troubles and he will have to expand his throwing repertoire and not rely on the heater all the time. His wrist injuries on his non throwing hand leave many to wonder if it will be able to sustain a hit.

Reminds me of: Derek Anderson

Best Fit: Cincinnati. Palmer is regressing and hasn't been the same since the Kimo hit in '05. Palmer probably has 3-4 years left and that would be sufficient time to allow Pike to sit and learn for the hometown team.

Projection: Early-Mid 3rd

Brother Yohey Sleeper: Mike Kafka (NU)

There's just something about this kid. He can run the spread but during the Senior Bowl took snaps under center and displayed a great ability to handle that. His intellect coupled with is athleticism he will be something to watch. He won't go any sooner than the mid-5th round but he will be a find for any NFL team he lands with. Seems to have a Tom Brady-esque quality to him.

This class is no 1983 or 2004 class like I stated before but it beats the 2005 draft class. Besides the top two it is a toss up but there are some diamonds in the rough to be found.

Mr. Yoder I's Ones To Watch

Tim Tebow (FLA) - Duhh!! While he's not in Yohey's Top 5, Tebow will have all the attention on him at draft day. The experts pick apart his technique and ability to translate to the pro game, but the guy has off the chart intangibles. One note about Tebow is that he succeeded against the vaunted SEC defenses that are always touted ad nauseum. Yet, that's conveniently forgotten in Tebow's case - folks say he won't be able to handle fast NFL defenses with his delivery flaws, but he did for 4 years at Florida. Make no mistake, somebody will take a chance on him in Round 1 (maybe via trade) thinking that Tebow can be the next Drew Brees - an unbelievable leader with physical limitations, but one who gets the job done. With everyone picking against him, he has the will to succeed.

Dan LeFevour (CMU) -

The all-time FBS TD leader and the under the radar QB of this year's draft (Jarrett Brown aside, Yohey!). Yes, it's LeFevour and not Tebow who is the all-time TD leader at 150. News came today that LeFevour wouldn't throw at the combine, which might hurt his draft stock slightly. The CMU gunslinger impressed as a Senior Bowl MOP and has all of the physical tools necessary. LeFevour is in that McCoy/Pike category of 2nd-3rd round picks that could provide a huge return if given the right situation. Some might look at these QBs like LeFevour as "system guys" but it would be a mistake to not give a chance to QBs that have produced so much in college. If a team like Seattle or Arizona gives LeFevour a chance to learn the pro game, he could be a future Pro Bowler.

That's it for our look at the QBs for the Class of 2010, and with USA curling piling up the wins and USA-Canada hockey tomorrow, we'll check back with our Olympic coverage very soon here at RSS!