Aaron Rodgers
School: California
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 223 40: 4.77 Year: 3Jr
Bio: Junior college transfer who made a major
mark on the Cal program the past two seasons.
All-Conference selection as a senior after posting
66.1%/2,566/24/8. Also added 247 yards
rushing with 3 additional scores. Junior quarterbacking
totals were 61.6%/2,903/19/5.
Positives:
Athletic passer with the physical skills and mental
intangibles needed to lead a franchise at the
next level. Quickly sets up in the pocket, sells
ball fakes and technically very sound. Poised
under the rush, steps up to avoid defenders
and works to keep the play alive. Patient, buys
time in the pocket and waits for receivers to
come free. Does an excellent job with his reads
and natural looking off the safety. Does not
make mental errors and throws the ball away
rather than toss the errant pass. Times the
short and intermediate throws well, as receivers
rarely wait for the ball out of their breaks.
Outstanding vision and immediately spots the
open receiver. Possesses a quick release, live
arm and zips the outs or gets the ball downfield.
Throws with touch. Sits in the pocket
and takes a big hit in order to get the pass off.
Fleet-footed and picks up yardage with his legs
when necessary.
Negatives: Though accurate, lacks
top pass placement and has receivers extending
vertically to pull the ball out of the air. Must
improve his accuracy down the field. Lacks top
footwork releasing the ball off a three step drop.
Lacks pocket stature.
Analysis: A physically
gifted passer with a great understanding of the
position, Rodgers has made himself one of the
nation’s top quarterback prospects the past two
seasons. May not fit every system, but should
quickly flourish in the NFL for a timing offense
that does not throw the ball down the field with
regularity. Offers a good amount of upside and
is a coachable player who should continually
improve his game.
Alex Smith
School: Utah
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 217 40: 4.76 Year: 3Jr
Bio: Two year starter voted MWC Player of
the Year last season after passing numbers
of 67.5%/2,952/32/4. All-Conference selection
as a sophomore after posting 65%/2,247/15/3.
Positives: Efficient and reliable passer that’s done
well in his college system. Accurate in the
short field, leads receivers over the middle and
places throws where only his target can make
the reception. Solid timing on crossing patterns.
Patient in the pocket, effectively reads the
defense and does not make poor decisions.
Goes through receiver progressions, waits for
pass catchers to come free and throws to the
safe underneath target if nothing’s available
downfield. Sets up with solid fundamentals and
passes with an over-the-top delivery. Keeps his
feet active and easily gets outside the pocket,
making the throw on the move. Displays
outstanding wherewithal and knows where
receivers are on the field. Throws tight spiral
with good zip. Stands strong and poised in the
pocket as it collapses around him.
Negatives: Must
improve his corner patterns in the end zone
as passes tend to be flat. Rarely threw the ball
down field in the Utah system.
Analysis: A natural
leader that does an excellent job running
the offense, Smith has been very productive the
past two years. Stays away from mistakes and
has a tremendous touchdown-to-interception
ratio. Does not have a deep passing arm just
yet but would be initially effective in a timing
or West Coast offense as he grows into a pro
passing game.
Jason Campbell
School: Auburn
Ht: 6-4.5 Wt: 230 40: 4.69 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Three-year starter named SEC Offensive
Player of the Year last season after totaling
69.6%/2,700/20/7 as a passer and adding three
more scores on the ground.
Positives: Athletic passer
who took his game to another level as a senior.
Patient in the pocket, buys time for receivers and
poised under pressure. Feels the rush, steps up
to avoid it, then finds the open pass catcher.
Improved his reads in the pocket, displays solid
field vision and overall awareness. Looks off the
safety, goes through receiver progressions and
does not force the ball if nothing’s available.
Negatives: Cannot drive the deep pass, late on the
outs and loses accuracy throwing on the move.
Rarely makes plays with his legs.
Analysis: A
prospect with the physical tools to work with,
Campbell improved his overall game and made
a big jump up draft boards the past six months.
Most effective in a short passing offense that
does not rely on the vertical game.
Adrian McPherson
School: x-Florida State
Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 218 40: 4.55 Year: 4Jr
Bio: Played with the Indiana Firebirds last
season in the Arena League completing 59.9%/
3,297/61/5. Dismissed from the FSU program in
November of that year after being found guilty
of forging and cashing a stolen check. Later
brought up on misdemeanor charges of gambling,
a trial which ended in a hung jury.
Positives:
Naturally gifted athlete with an abundant amount
of upside potential. Possesses a live arm, zips
the outs or easily drives the ball downfield.
Displays a good sense of timing, hits receivers
in stride yet also puts touch on passes when
necessary. Sized well and has the ability to make
plays with his legs.
Negatives: Short arms his throwing
motion and delivers the ball with a three-quarters
delivery. Marginal experience playing against
top competition on a regulation football field.
Analysis: A prospect with top athletic skills and
football abilities, McPherson could end up as the
steal in this year’s draft. Seemingly overcame his
off the field problems.
Charlie Frye
School: Akron
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 225 40: 4.88 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Four-year starter and All-Conference quarterback
who holds numerous passing records at
Akron. Posted 63.6%/2,623/18/8 as a senior.
Positives: Nice-sized passer and a natural, smart
leader. Sets up in the pocket with good footwork,
remains poised and goes through receiver
progressions, buying time for wideouts. Displays
good field awareness and very good at finding
the open wideout. Throws with an over-the-top
delivery displaying zip on the short throws and
the ability to quickly get the ball into the intended
targets hands. Tough competitor who plays while
injured.
Negatives: Steps out of throws on occasion,
which adversely affects his accuracy. Possesses
a solid arm, yet does not have the gun to drive
deep throws.
Analysis: A signal caller who’s
displayed progress throughout his college
career, Frye offers both the physical and mental
intangibles for the next level. More athletic than
given credit for and can be used in a variety of
passing offenses.
Andrew Walter
School: Arizona State
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 233 40: 4.91 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Second-team All-Conference selection as
a senior after passing numbers of 57.3%/3,150/
30/9. Broke into the starting unit as a sophomore
completing 56.7%/3,877/28/15.
Positives: Big,
strong pocket passer who’s been productive
throughout his college career. Patient, buys
time for receivers, and has a good sense of
where his targets are on the field. Possesses
a quick release and immediately gets the
ball out of his hands. Fires the pass between
defenders, easily gets the ball downfield and
zips the outs. Displays a sense of timing,
nicely places his passes, and does not have
receivers waiting on the throw. Sees the field,
senses the blitz, and for the most part, finds
the open wideouts. Accurate down the field laying
passes in front of targets. Always working
to make something positive happen. Strong
enough to withstand the rush and get the ball
off with defenders in his face.
Negatives: Slow setting
up in the pocket, releases the ball with a three-quarter motion, and has a low trajectory for a
tall passer. Immobile and cannot escape the
rush. Erratic, misreads defenses and throws
the ball into coverage. Makes the errant toss
off his back foot. Does not throw tight spirals or
the prettiest passes. Usually high of the mark
and has receivers extending vertically to grab
the ball out of the air.
Analysis: A big, strong
quarterback with excellent physical skills,
Walter is a prototypical drop-back passer for
the next level. Must be more consistent with his
reads and decision making if he’s to ever be a
starter at the next level.
David Greene
School: Georgia
Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 226 40: 4.83 Year: 5Sr
Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after
numbers of 58.5%/2,508/20/4. Junior totals
included 60.3%/3,307/13/11. Set an NCAA
Division I-A for most victories by a starting
quarterback with 42.
Positives: Intelligent, tough
passer best in the short field. Sets up with
solid footwork, senses the rush and patient
throughout the play. Buys time for receivers,
displays a good sense of timing and rarely has
pass catchers waiting on his throws. Excellent
field awareness, does not make poor decisions
and finds the open receiver. Tough and will play
with pain.
Negatives: Takes a while setting up in the
pocket, steps out of throws and cannot elude
the rush. Lacks the explosive release, overall
arm strength, and tends to be high of the mark.
Analysis: An efficient college passer with good
quarterback skills, Greene offers limited upside
for the next level, yet could be very effective in
a backup role. Better suited to play in a short,
timing passing offense.
Kyle Orton
School: Purdue
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 233 40: 5.09 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Moved into the starting lineup as a true
freshman. Posted career numbers 60.7%/
3,090/31/5 as a senior.
Positives: Heady, intelligent
passer with solid intangibles. Patient in the
pocket, buys time and waits for receivers to
come free. Sees the field, reads the blitz and
immediately gets the ball to the hot receiver.
Possesses a nice sense of timing, leads receivers
in the short field and zips the intermediate
passes.
Negatives: Possesses an elongated/wind-up
motion, which slows his release. Cannot drive
the deep throw as receivers are constantly
slowing down to make the reception. Forces
passes downfield on occasion and must
improve his long accuracy. Fizzled at the end
of his senior campaign and was benched.
Analysis: A signal caller who will draw much
debate and opinion, Orton has abilities to play
in a short passing game.
Derek Anderson
School: Oregon State
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 242 40: 5.06 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Three-year starter and second team All-
Conference choice as a senior after passing
numbers of 54.2%/3,615/29/17. Junior totals
included 51.2%/4,058/24/24, when he set a
school record for passing yards.
Positives: Big,
strong pocket passer with a live arm. Patient
when given time, waits for receivers to come
free, then tosses the ball. Leads receivers over
the middle, gets the ball downfield and displays
solid long accuracy. Puts air under the deep
throw letting receivers run to the ball.
Negatives:
Stares down intended targets from the get-go,
and slow going to secondary receivers. Tends
to direct his passes. Makes poor reads, shaky
under pressure and seemingly predetermines
where he will throw the ball, no matter if it’s into
triple or double coverage.
Analysis: A passer
with the physical skills to play at the next level,
Anderson made strides as a senior, lessening
the errant throws.
Dan Orlovsky
School: Connecticut
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 225 40: 5.02 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Passing numbers included 63%/3,354/23/
15 as a senior.
Positives: Well-sized pocket passer
with a big arm and solid intangibles. Sets up
with solid footwork, displays good pocket stature
and patiently waits for receivers to come open.
Sells the ball fakes, possesses a quick release
and zips the outs. Leads wideouts or hits them
in stride over the middle and displays solid timing
on the outs.
Negatives: Slow setting up in the pocket.
Steps out of throws, which adversely affects his
accuracy. Directs his passes and gets wild at
times. Gathers before releasing the ball. Must
improve his downfield accuracy. Performed
poorly at the Senior Bowl and was worse at
the combine.
Analysis: Productive throughout
his college career, Orlovsky possesses the size,
arm strength, and intangibles to develop into a
starting quarterback at the next level. Needs to
brush up the fundamentals and quickly get his
game back on track.Complete
Quarterback Rankings - Complete
NFL Draft Rankings
|