March 12, 2008

1. Matt Ryan - Boston College 6-5/215

Matt showed everyone all they need to know when he brought his team back from the dead against Va. Tech. He showed the ability to move in the pocket and keep the play alive. The drawback is that there was a bit of inconsistent play and a tendency to get rattled at times. The plain truth about it is that he showed incredible ability to lead in a very important game and if the poise is there in the crunch once, it's there in the crunch every time. The only question is, can he bring it for 60 minutes?

2. Brian Brohm - Louisville 6-4/224

Brian was the seasons golden boy coming in and the numbers tell a story of a quarterback who did not disappoint. Unfortunately that is not the case, because in the end, it's about gaining a "W" not about gaudy numbers. Brian carried his team to some early wins and was getting absolutely no help from the defense so perhaps the wins and losses are deceiving. Classic form and fundamentals will keep him at the top of the '08 class but like Quinn last year, the question about wins and losses will enter every argument concerning his draft stock. 

3. Chad Henne - Michigan 6-2/224

Chad, like Booty, had everyone expecting a huge season and again, like Booty, was hampered by injuries around him. The unfortunate fact is that he did not get it done early and was unable to get it done late due to injury. He has the arm and instincts to make some great plays but he will follow it up with some very iffy decision making and that makes him a question mark and a bit of a gamble. His performances during the draft season has him climbing all the rankings and after the combine, he is gaining momentum.

4. Andre' Woodson - Kentucky 6-5/230

Beating LSU was the crowning moment for the Wildcats as well as Andre Woodson this year, but his ability to lead and create plays will define his career at Kentucky. He is not the best with mechanics, he is not the fastest and he doesn't have the greatest arm (good but not great) but he gets the results and his teammates follow where he leads. His passion to win is ultimately his defining characteristic and that alone will keep him in the mix.

5. Josh Johnson - San Diego 6-3/200

Josh seems to be everyone's favorite dark horse this season, people are really pulling for him and with good reason. He looked good at the Shrine game and has impressed thus far. He has great ability but will at times use his great arm strength to fit a ball into a tight area and all too often his form breaks down, especially on shorter routes. He also struggled in Indy with some shaky throws but his on-field performance merits his ranking.

6. John David Booty - Southern Cal 6-3/215

John had it all at his fingertips and rumors ran rampant about the Trojans being the greatest college team ever. Injuries to his O-line caused a myriad of problems as they could neither run the ball nor protect John through the middle of the season. He has every physical attribute that makes teams go nuts but again the question of getting the job done will plague him. You could always take what he did in the Rose Bowl (when the Trojans were healthy) as your benchmark.

7. Joe Flacco - Delaware 6-6/230

Cannon arm and incredible size but raw, sushi grade raw. Coaches were teaching him how to properly drop back, that is not a good sign this far along. Most of his success came from the shotgun formation and though he does a solid job with his pre-snap reads, there must be substantial improvement in his drop back ability.

8. Erik Ainge - Tennessee 6-6/220

Eric is the prototype, tall, big and a very strong arm, ( many thinks otherwise but he can make all the throws necessary) but his game has yet to match up with his measurables. He is capable of making the throws required at the next level but he would need work and time before reaching starting potential in the pros.

9. Kevin O'Connell - San Diego State 6-6/225

Kevin does everything well. His drop back is textbook and his ability to remain active yet poised in the pocket is perhaps his greatest asset. He throws very well on the run and the plain truth is he has all the skills in hand, in and out of the pocket. If he played in a higher profile program he could be even higher on the list but competition has to count for something.

10. Anthony Morelli - Penn State 6-4/232

Anthony has the ability to make plays and at times had the Nittany Lions offense really running smooth but needs more consistency.

11. Sam Keller - Nebraska 6-4/230

When he’s under the right guidance and the right scheme Sam has the playmaking ability to be a possible starter in the NFL. When the Nebraska offense was clicking best it was when the offense was put into his hands so there is a good chance he could develop into a good quarterback at the next level. He has one of the quickest releases around and a great arm so a team may take a chance on him earlier than expected.

12. Paul Smith - Tulsa 6-2/193

A stat machine that will need time to adjust to the faster speed but is certainly smart enough and has a high football I.Q. He tends to aim the ball a little too much but is still accurate, especially on the run.

13. Matt Flynn - LSU 6-2/230

Matt won the national championship by committing few errors and more than anything else, managing the offense. He has leadership skills without a doubt but he will need to impress during the off season to improve his stock. 

14. Colt Brennan - Hawaii 6-3/205

The season was as magical as Colt could have expected in his wildest dream, then came the Sugar Bowl and questions arose. He can light up the stat book and easily beat defenses in the W.A.C. but when the spotlight was red hot and a very good defense was opposing him he was far from electric. Is he a system quarterback or is he the real deal? The post-season will tell a ton about who Colt could be and he will have a chance to earn the respect back that he may have lost in New Orleans

15. Dennis Dixon - Oregon 6-4/196

Dennis is a world class athlete, a first round athlete, and I firmly believe they would have contended for, and possibly won the national title if he doesn't go down. Is he a pro quarterback, probably no but he is a sure fire pro prospect in some capacity.

16. Adam Tafralis - San Jose State 6-1/223

Adam has a slow and deliberate drop and needs to follow through better to increase

17. Bernard Morris - Marshall 6-4/212

Bernard has a very quick drop and has great footwork but was all arm and no follow through. If he would follow through better he may increase his accuracy.

18. Blake Mitchell - South Carolina 6-3/211

Blake was suspended twice from the team in his last two seasons, once for fighting and once for skipping summer school classes. As a football player he can be a solid QB at times but after two suspensions and being replaced by Chris Smelley this year, the question of character is definitely in play.

19. Ricky Santos - New Hampshire 6-2/215

The unfortunate but none-the-less inescapable fact is, Ricky played I-AA New Hampshire and was the #4 quarterback on the depth chart when he arrived. He lacks the ability to make all the throws at the pro level but arm strength can be gained, what is his biggest drawback is the system he played under. The run-and-gun offense is a frantic slant-and-go offense and almost everything the system taught him, he will have to un-learned.

20. Xavier Lee - Florida State 6-4/234

Xavier opted to leave the Seminole’s rather than transfer or be moved to tight end and the response, or serious lack there of, from the University may tell you more than any film study will about Xavier.