Hello everybody! After a few months hiatus, I have decided to continue scouting and writing. Only this year, I plan on running a much better operation. I left a lot of promises unfulfilled last year, and I hope to change that this year by providing more and better content under my new title, 4 Down Scouting. I have retooled my blog and made a new scouting twitter page, so feel free to follow my account and read my articles (@4DownScouting and 4downscouting.blogspot.com). Now, enjoy my first article covering the 2018 NFL Draft.
QB Top Ten and First Look:
1. Sam Darnold, USC (shown on the right)
2. Josh Rosen, UCLA
3. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
4. Luke Faulk, Washington State
5. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
6. Josh Allen, Wyoming
7. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
8. Jake Browning, Washington
9. Deondre Francois, Florida State
10. Quinton Flowers, USF
The 2018 quarterback class is absolutely loaded. I think we could see as many as eight quarterbacks go in the first two rounds. Headlining this year's class is Sam Darnold, who has shown great accuracy, poise, and that "it" factor that is so rare among quarterbacks. His performance in the Rose Bowl was stellar, and scouts have high expectations for Darnold this fall. Not far behind Darnold is Josh Rosen, who had a down year in 2016 (59.3% completion, 10 TDs, 5 INTs). This was mostly due to a lack of talent around him and a shoulder injury. I expect a bounce back season from him in 2017. Mason Rudolph is a big quarterback whose film is full of NFL caliber throws. He may play in an air-raid system, but he will get a chance to show he is pro-ready at the Senior Bowl. Another prospect that could be in Mobile for the Senior Bowl is Luke Falk. While Falk lacks the arm strength many of his competitors have, his accuracy, impeccable touch, and production (two consecutive 38 TD seasons) should make him an early draft pick. Rounding out top five is reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. Jackson is still incredibly raw as a passer, but he is a special athlete at the quarterback position and has tremendous upside along with college production.
The next five quarterbacks are headlined by Josh Allen. Allen has an arm best compared to a .50 caliber rifle and for a 6'5'' quarterback he is quite an impressive runner. Some have Allen as the number one quarterback in this class, but I am not as high on him as they are, mostly because he lacks the two traits I value most in quarterbacks: accuracy and decision making. Allen will need to drastically improve his 55.6% completion rate and his 15 interceptions in order to move up my board. Following Allen is Jarrett Stidham, one of the most hyped transfers in recent memory. During his brief time at Baylor, Stidham completed 68.8% of his passes for 12 TDs and only two interceptions. If Stidham performs as well at Auburn as he did at Baylor, expect his name to rocket up draft boards. Jake Browning is the signal caller for one of the most talented offenses in the country. Browning is not a physical specimen, but if he can continue to display above-average accuracy and put up big numbers, he should be an early-round selection come 2018. Deondre Francois is my breakout candidate among quarterbacks for this year. As a redshirt freshman Francois completed 58.8% of his passes for 20 touchdown and 7 interceptions while rushing for five touchdowns. If his offensive line can step up their game, Francois could experience a break
out season. Quinton Flowers is like Lamar Jackson-lite. He is a gifted athlete with production (76 touchdowns rushing and passing in the last two seasons) who needs to polish up his passing before he can be considered a top prospect.
Match-ups to Watch:
USC vs UCLA, November 18th
For many analysts, the top quarterback spot is being decided between Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold (and Josh Allen for some). This matchup should be a shootout of epic proportions, and it will likely reveal who is the best gunslinger in the land.
Florida State vs Alabama, September 2nd
We are going to find out what Deondre Francois is made of real quick. Francois faces the loaded Crimson Tide defense on opening weekend, but if he can put together a good performance, Francois should see his name fly up draft boards.
Wyoming vs Iowa, September 2nd
The last time Josh Allen went against Big Ten talent was in Nebraska where he threw five interceptions. He will have to have a better showing against the always stingy Iowa defense if he wants to be considered an elite prospect.
Follow 4 Down Scouting on Twitter @4DownScouting
All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted
4. Luke Faulk, Washington State
5. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
6. Josh Allen, Wyoming
7. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
8. Jake Browning, Washington
9. Deondre Francois, Florida State
10. Quinton Flowers, USF
The 2018 quarterback class is absolutely loaded. I think we could see as many as eight quarterbacks go in the first two rounds. Headlining this year's class is Sam Darnold, who has shown great accuracy, poise, and that "it" factor that is so rare among quarterbacks. His performance in the Rose Bowl was stellar, and scouts have high expectations for Darnold this fall. Not far behind Darnold is Josh Rosen, who had a down year in 2016 (59.3% completion, 10 TDs, 5 INTs). This was mostly due to a lack of talent around him and a shoulder injury. I expect a bounce back season from him in 2017. Mason Rudolph is a big quarterback whose film is full of NFL caliber throws. He may play in an air-raid system, but he will get a chance to show he is pro-ready at the Senior Bowl. Another prospect that could be in Mobile for the Senior Bowl is Luke Falk. While Falk lacks the arm strength many of his competitors have, his accuracy, impeccable touch, and production (two consecutive 38 TD seasons) should make him an early draft pick. Rounding out top five is reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. Jackson is still incredibly raw as a passer, but he is a special athlete at the quarterback position and has tremendous upside along with college production.
The next five quarterbacks are headlined by Josh Allen. Allen has an arm best compared to a .50 caliber rifle and for a 6'5'' quarterback he is quite an impressive runner. Some have Allen as the number one quarterback in this class, but I am not as high on him as they are, mostly because he lacks the two traits I value most in quarterbacks: accuracy and decision making. Allen will need to drastically improve his 55.6% completion rate and his 15 interceptions in order to move up my board. Following Allen is Jarrett Stidham, one of the most hyped transfers in recent memory. During his brief time at Baylor, Stidham completed 68.8% of his passes for 12 TDs and only two interceptions. If Stidham performs as well at Auburn as he did at Baylor, expect his name to rocket up draft boards. Jake Browning is the signal caller for one of the most talented offenses in the country. Browning is not a physical specimen, but if he can continue to display above-average accuracy and put up big numbers, he should be an early-round selection come 2018. Deondre Francois is my breakout candidate among quarterbacks for this year. As a redshirt freshman Francois completed 58.8% of his passes for 20 touchdown and 7 interceptions while rushing for five touchdowns. If his offensive line can step up their game, Francois could experience a break
out season. Quinton Flowers is like Lamar Jackson-lite. He is a gifted athlete with production (76 touchdowns rushing and passing in the last two seasons) who needs to polish up his passing before he can be considered a top prospect.
Match-ups to Watch:
USC vs UCLA, November 18th
For many analysts, the top quarterback spot is being decided between Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold (and Josh Allen for some). This matchup should be a shootout of epic proportions, and it will likely reveal who is the best gunslinger in the land.
Florida State vs Alabama, September 2nd
We are going to find out what Deondre Francois is made of real quick. Francois faces the loaded Crimson Tide defense on opening weekend, but if he can put together a good performance, Francois should see his name fly up draft boards.
Wyoming vs Iowa, September 2nd
The last time Josh Allen went against Big Ten talent was in Nebraska where he threw five interceptions. He will have to have a better showing against the always stingy Iowa defense if he wants to be considered an elite prospect.
Follow 4 Down Scouting on Twitter @4DownScouting
All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted
No comments:
Post a Comment