darin3 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I was going to do an all-encompassing thread for this but figured breaking it apart based on position may make for better discussion. I was also going to wait until the Super Bowl was over since this place turns into a ghost town right around then, but with the breaking apart of positions, it should extend well into the "dead zone". Obviously these rankings are subject to serious change based on where these QBs are drafted, but since the cream usually rises to the top, some pre-draft rankings may give us an indication what to expect come dynasty/rookie drafts. Tier 1 (Best of the Class) 1. Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville): While he's likely the "on paper" #1 prospect at this point, don't be fooled. He is not a dual threat QB. He can move around in the pocket but is not as athletic as you may think. He is not Cam Newton or even Andrew Luck. What Bridgewater does have, however, is an above average arm (granted not a "cannon") and is accurate. And honestly he's probably more polished and has more poise in the pocket than a number of current NFL QBs. 2. Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M): As a Texas Longhorn fan, and just a fan of college football in general, I have pretty much hated Johnny Football. His off-field issues have been a problem, but will he have such problems in the NFL? Probably not. Honestly, in their bowl game, I kind of started to like the guy a little bit. He has a ton of fire. Is he big enough (6', 210 lbs. on a good day) to be a legit NFL QB? Ya know, we were asking the same things about Russell Wilson. Manziel, if given the opportunity in the right system, could be a nice fantasy QB. Note the use of "fantasy". I seriously doubt Manziel leads his team to a Super Bowl... unless of course he find himself in a situation like Wilson's, that is. Bottom line, Manziel is a heady QB that makes plays with his feet and arm. Manziel, depending on situation, may even be the #1 rookie QB in terms of fantasy. Tier 2 (Grab-and-stash Guys) 3. Derek Carr (Fresno St.): Carr did himself no favors in the bowl game vs. USC but still remains a good QB prospect. Will he turn out like "the other Carr"? He has good size (6'3", 218 lbs.) and has a strong arm. Carr has all the physical tools, but played against inferior competition. All that said, if drafted into the right situation with a coaching staff capable of developing him slowly, Carr could be a solid pro and good fantasy starter in 3-4 years. 4. Blake Bortles (UCF): This ranking, in my mind, is pretty kind. He does have the measurables, but something just doesn't sit right with me here. His pocket presence and scrambling ability do remind you of a very poor man's Andrew Luck, but some of the decision-making makes you wonder a bit. I saw him lock on to one receiver without making any kind of progression. I saw him, in several instances, take a back seat to the running game (in some cases it was needed, others, not so much). He's shooting up the draft board, which means he'll go to a team in need of an instant starter at QB. Bortles, thrown to the wolves, could end up like Blaine Gabbert. That said, if he goes somewhere where he can learn under a vet (even an average vet) and take the reins in 2-3 years, maybe then the decision-making will catch up to the skill set. 5. Brett Smith (Wyoming): Smith is shooting up my (and others') rankings in a hurry. I've read that he has some Manziel-type qualities. He's ultra-confident, makes quick reads and has solid passing mechanics. Sure, he's played against weaker opponents and made the most of it, but you can't deny the kid's moxie and obvious talents as a passer. This is the perfect grab-and-stash kind of guy if you don't hit paydirt on Bridgewater/Manziel and don't want to risk Bortles/Carr being flops. Tier 3 (Deeper Sleepers) 6. David Fales (San Jose State): Another guy that looks good mechanically but has inflated stats against weak defenses. He has decent enough size but isn't going to wow you with incredible mobility out of the pocket. What I do like is the fact that he's been said to be very coachable, has great accuracy and has excellent pocket presence. I would love to see what he could do with Bill Belichick, learning under another Bay Area kid, Tom Brady. 7. A.J. McCarron (Alabama): I'm on the fence here. He's obviously been surrounded by incredible talent on both sides of the ball, but you can't ignore the guy's record as a starter. The guy's a leader... and wins. But... is he Greg McElroy? Or maybe there's some Andy Dalton here? Not wowed by the physical tools or measurables. He'll need to do some things in the combine, maybe get drafted into the right situation. But honestly, I'd rather take a flier on a guy that's less of a game manager and more of a physical freak. 8. Tajh Boyd (Clemson): A bit undersized (6'1", 225 lbs.) but again, Russel Wilson. Boyd has some natural ability when it comes to throwing the football and can move around in the pocket and take off when the play has broken down. He's not super-accurate, though, which leads me to believe he'll have problems becoming a Wilson type. 9. Zach Mettenberger (LSU): This dude has a cannon for an arm. He flourished under LSU OC Cam Cameron, which is a good sign for him moving forward. His big issue will be the fact that he will likely not get to participate in the combine due to his torn ACL. But he could get drafted by a team with a more established QB, learn, work on his footwork/accuracy, and maybe end up like a Joe Flacco type. 10. Connor Shaw (South Carolina): There may be a couple of guys more worthy of being in the top-10 (Aaron Murray, Jimmy Garoppolo, but Shaw is the epitome of "deep sleeper" in terms of dynasty. He doesn't have the size that a guy like Kaepernick has, but Shaw is probably the best "tuck and run" QB in this class. If he lands in a situation where he's able to develop as a passer, who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MustOfBeenDrunk Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Its Funny that we have another QB Carr coming out of Fresno St. Fales is my deep sleeper , don't think he will be grabbed in rookie drafts so I may wait and add him as a FA in Aug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingd Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Overall good summary, it's hard for me to comment much until I know who goes where. Too bad Hundley doesn't look like he's going to go, he looked to me like the guy that would have ended up on top of the rankings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MustOfBeenDrunk Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Overall good summary, it's hard for me to comment much until I know who goes where. Too bad Hundley doesn't look like he's going to go, he looked to me like the guy that would have ended up on top of the rankings. True , and if your league does not have a deep Taxi squad your looking for players that are ready to go in their 1st year or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 you dynasty weirdos need your own forum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 nice job Darin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Overall good summary, it's hard for me to comment much until I know who goes where. Too bad Hundley doesn't look like he's going to go, he looked to me like the guy that would have ended up on top of the rankings. I've heard conflicting reports on this guy. I've heard that he's super-NFL-ready and is going to be a star. I've also heard that he's incredibly overrated and will be a complete bust. I haven't seen enough film on him to really offer an opinion I'd stand behind at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious_bass Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 As someone who plays in a Dynasty league (but does not have nearly as much time to watch college ball as I used to ), I think threads like this are great 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 1. Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville): While he's likely the "on paper" #1 prospect at this point, don't be fooled. He is not a dual threat QB. He can move around in the pocket but is not as athletic as you may think. He is not Cam Newton or even Andrew Luck. What Bridgewater does have, however, is an above average arm (granted not a "cannon") and is accurate. And honestly he's probably more polished and has more poise in the pocket than a number of current NFL QBs. Watch some Louisville tape, with some Cal game tape of Aaron Rodgers. Extremely similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I've seen a couple sites that are pimping Blake Bortles to the Texans at 1.1 I don't see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bud29 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Good post. Bridgewater really reminds me of Russel Wilson, his accuracy on the run is fantastic. I think he could thrive on the same type of offense that Seattle runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingd Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I don't have a ranking yet, won't until after the draft, but comments in order you have them: Teddy Bridgewater - I don't really see it. This feels like the classic over-hype just to fill the top of the ranking. I don't think he'll be horrible, but I think he ends up like, ironically, a David Carr. Maybe if he goes where there's a lot of help around him he'll flourish, but I see him as being a Sam Bradford. Johnny Manziel - I'm all in. Drinking the kool-aid. Singing the praises. Show me the money. He's that annoying little prick you love to hate - the one that always wins, always passes the test, always gets all the chicks - but he wins every time. He's the bad boy verion of Tim Tebow (that doesn't suck), and the players feed off the energy. He elevates those around him just by how much everyone is against him. And we wins every time. I don't actually like him, but I'm not missing out on him. Oh, I mean he sucks and you should all continue to devalue him on your draft boards. 6th rounder at best in dynasty drafts. Yeah, that's the ticket. 6th round. Derrick Carr - Watered down version of his brother. And that's not good. I don't see him do anything exceptionally. His arm is ok. His mobility is ok. He makes ok decisions. Nothing about him excites me. Chad Pennington/Tony Romo type. Blake Bortles - If I'd seen more of him like I have seen, I'd be all over him like I am Manziel. The sample size is too small, so I'll temper my enthusiasm a bit, but I'm guessing that by the time the combine and draft process are over I'll be sold. Brett Smith - Don't have any comment, havne't seen nor heard enough about him. David Fales - Don't have any comment, havne't seen nor heard enough about him. AJ McCarron - Love his game and think it translates well to the NFL. Only knock is he doesn't have a rocket. Adequate arm strength, but if he's smart that won't even matter. It becomes a liability when a QB tries to drive it into a window he's not capable of, and I didn't see much of that from McCarron. Someone gets a bargain late 1st. Tajh Boyd - I haven't ever see him look good throwing the ball. Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins have made him look good and covered for a lot of throws that were in the wrong spot but they went and got. I don't see him making it in the NFL. Zack Mettenberger - My most likely deep sleeper. The knee won't change anything about scouts' perceptions. He's not a runner anyway, and he's not going in the early first round even if healthy. He'll go in the 2/3 range and someone could hit gold. He'll need the right team - a line that can keep him upright and a TE or RB to check to. He could end up a developmental long-term for Brady/Brees and that wouldn't suck for him. Connor Shaw - Don't have any comment, havne't seen nor heard enough about him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 The kid from LSU is the only person I'd invest for my dynasty team...maybe Fales as well. Way too many misses in this list than hits. It's a very weak crop at this point. I only have one dynasty team, so I'm only looking at it from that point of view of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WashingtonD Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Amazing how far v techs QB logan Thomas fell this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Amazing how far v techs QB logan Thomas fell this year I considered adding him in that final grouping but wanted an even 10. Another guy that has some talent that could shine in the right situation with the right coaching, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Blake Bortles - If I'd seen more of him like I have seen, I'd be all over him like I am Manziel. The sample size is too small, so I'll temper my enthusiasm a bit, but I'm guessing that by the time the combine and draft process are over I'll be sold. Good read on Bortles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I have to applaud Darin for doing these. I just think that these are great pre draft reads and will make for fun watching draft day but if Manziel becomes a Radier I'd pass on him in a heartbeat. The ultimate "variable" has yet to be settled IMO. I look forward to the post draft ranks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 I have to applaud Darin for doing these. I just think that these are great pre draft reads and will make for fun watching draft day but if Manziel becomes a Radier I'd pass on him in a heartbeat. The ultimate "variable" has yet to be settled IMO. I look forward to the post draft ranks... Thanks. I have been a Manziel hater for 2 years but I've totally warmed up on the guy. He is showing that he's not just a one-trick pony; he's shown he can actually stand in the pocket and throw the ball. This will be monumental to his NFL success. If he's put into a good situation in an open-style offense, he could be HUGH in fantasy. That said, he will truly be a boom or bust kind of pick. He could just as easily flop as blow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 There will be obvious Romo comparisons, but go ahead and move this guy up your board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Manziel will be an NFL bust. Book it. Poor mechanics. Small. Will never get away in the NFL with the throws he made in college. Plus, he seems like a entitled prick. Pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Manziel will be an NFL bust. Book it. Poor mechanics. Small. Will never get away in the NFL with the throws he made in college. Plus, he seems like a entitled prick. Pass. I was in that camp a month or so back. The small thing is looking more and more like it's mattering less and less nowadays. His mechanics and especially in-pocket passing have improved dramatically in two seasons. Plus, every college QB appears to "get away" with a ton of throws that would never fly in the NFL. I'll give you the entitled prick part, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I see a ton of Jake Plummer in Manziel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're looking for a guy to carry you to a championship I don't think he has enough game to get it done. Funny that the top QBs - Rodgers, Manning, Brady & Brees are not read option guys (and generally move just enough to keep plays alive to strike downfield) yet the biggest knock on Bridgewater is that he is that type of QB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 There will be obvious Romo comparisons, but go ahead and move this guy up your board. I don't think his hands are big enough but he's a gamer. Making some noise right now, and might be as high as a 3rd round pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 I don't think his hands are big enough but he's a gamer. Making some noise right now, and might be as high as a 3rd round pick. I think he should go in the 3rd but some team may fall in love with him (Vikings, perhaps) and take him earlier (2nd). As for the hands thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Peyton Manning (DEN) 1 Tom Brady (NE) 2 Colin Kaepernick (SF) 3 Russell Wilson (SEA) 4 My ranking for Quaterback will be above Do you do drugs, Danny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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