XClown1986

Anderson and Littleton would be my 2. Maybe Higgins.

Andy Reid also liked to have a QB to play within the system. See McNabb and Alex Smith. But he since has drafted a playmaker and improviser at QB and has won two Super Bowls.

The comparisons aren't exact. But the ARGUMENTS are very similar. Darnold struggled with pressure in his face. Stroud does too. Darnold has NFL frame for a QB in comparison to Mayfield. That is also the argument for Stroud. They aren't the same player, but once again, the ARGUMENTS for/against the player are alike.

They are different prospects for sure, but both "see ghosts" in the pocket and are considered to be the "safest" QB in the draft. I love Bryce Young as a prospect. But his size does scare me. Honestly? I'm actually curious if the coaching staff feels they can bring the best out of Levis or Richardson. They have the most superstar potential.

For the record, I believe picking CJ Stroud would be a mistake. He has the accuracy and the numbers, but his panic in the face of pressure is going to be a real problem. He reverses his field more often than stepping up and is willing to throw off-balance if the pocket closes more quickly than he likes. Those are difficult things to change in a QB. Perhaps even impossible. A QB should play with confidence and poise. Stroud is lifeless. I want to like him because there seems to be a lot of reason to like him. But I don't. And I don't trust in his ability to be a franchise QB.

There are some odd similarities, and perhaps lessons to reflect on, when comparing the 2023 QB draft class to the 2018 QB draft class. 1st Round QBs in 2018 class (In order drafted): Baker Mayfield - Browns (1) Sam Darnold - Jets (3) Josh Allen - Bills (7) Josh Rosen - Cardinals (10) Lamar Jackson - Ravens (32) Top 6 QBs in 2023 class (In order of most common rankings) Bryce Young - Alabama CJ Stroud - Ohio State Will Levis - Kentucky Anthony Richardson - Florida Tanner McKee - Stanford Hendon Hooker - Tennessee The same arguments made about the top prospects in 2018, sound like the same arguments in the 2023 draft. Baker Mayfield and Bryce Young - Both won the Heisman, were playmakers, and had size/durability concerns. Sam Darnold and CJ Stroud - Both have been declared the "most complete" prospects in their respective classes. Touted for their consistency and flaws explained away, they seem to be the "safe" pick. Josh Allen and Will Levis - Physically stout athletes with cannon arms that underperformed in college. The classic "traits" pick. Has the frame, the arm, the mental makeup, and the potential to improve. A gamble. Josh Rosen and Tanner McKee - "Who? Why? Sure... I guess..." Lamar Jackson and Anthony Richardson - Oh boy... The uber-talented athlete that has poor footwork, inaccuracy issues, and questions about the ability to play in an NFL offense. Mason Rudolph and Hendon Hooker - Tics a lot of boxes, has some great film and some questionable film. Questions about the system/scheme inflating production. Looking back... How many people were wrong? How many people would have lost their mind if Josh Allen went number 1? How many people flipped out when Cleveland chose Mayfield over Darnold for the same reasons that people want to take Young over Stroud today? And who is stunned now to see both Mayfield and Darnold to be on their 3rd NFL team in their short careers? And how many people thought Baltimore gave up too much to get back into round 1 for a QB that had too many question marks? My point is this. There are no sure things. You watch the film, you meet the guy, and you pick with your gut. So for all of the "no-brainer" and "stupid decision" concluders out there, the truth is... We don't know. You don't know. You have to hope that the guys making the pick have the better insight to who these guys can be or will become. The arguments for and against these guys are repeated every year. And some years they are valid. Sometimes they amount to nothing. Time will tell. But before you look at a prospect and say "he's the guy," look back to this draft and ask, "should he be?"

Brees was 6'0. Young is 5'10

So we can have our choice of QB. In the long run it is about being right, not about the agreed upon value by the majority.

He is today. But in a month and a half, that may change.

Anthony Richardson has the most upside of any quarterback to come out of the draft in the last 5-10 years. Yes that includes guys like Mahomes and Josh Allen. He is THAT gifted athletically. The ONLY question is can he become a consistent passer. That's it. And if Reich and the boys feel that Richardson's flaws are fixable? Don't be shocked if he is the pick. ESPECIALLY if they are put off by anything they find in Stroud.

I honestly think it will be Anthony Richardson. His ceiling is so incredibly high. Stroud is an NFL starter, but will he ever be more than a Jared Goff type? Doubtful.

You realize you do have the option to not read something and also keep your mouth shut, right?

The only guy that was likely in consideration was Bozeman. And they must feel confident they can lock him up.

God if we go get Bryce Young, we win the NFL Draft.

Will Levis reminds me a lot of Jake Locker. Big arm, great athlete, but can't seem to put it all together on the field as a QB.

McCaffrey is a talent. A stud. He may have a Marshall Faulk esque career in San Fran. But... Without a franchise quarterback... He is on a Barry Sanders trajectory, not Emmitt Smith. A running back can't win a Superbowl alone. He can help. He can be a threat. But facts are facts. RBs are paid the least and have the shortest careers of any position group because they get beat up. He was a luxury. But if we are able to flip two or 3 picks we got for CMac in a package to get a franchise QB? We win the trade. Hands down.

I'm on the Reich train. He has a great history working with quarterbacks, made the playoffs for the Colts twice in 3 years, and has connections to other very good potential staff additions in the league. Look at Doug Pederson. Give Reich the QB he wants and let him work.

How do you know this?

Bryce Young - Max Potential and Comp = Russell Wilson/Philip Rivers. Tough. Elusive. Active eyes and feet in the pocket. He looks to have the most complete skillset in the class currently. He is a guy that can start day 1 for a team and give them a chance to win every week. Will Levis - Max Potential and Comp = Josh Allen/Joe Flacco hybrid. Not as fast as Allen and arm not as strong as Flacco. Makes some wow throws but also some wtf throws. Needs to read and react to coverages faster. CJ Stroud - I see a LOT of Tua Tagovailoa in Stroud. Very accurate. Rarely will throw a hospital ball. I don't like his skiddishness in the pocket when it starts to break down. He is not quick enough or fast enough to get himself out of a jam and tends to reverse his field instead of stepping up. That will be tough to correct, because it is instinctual. He is going to need a good supporting cast. He is a fantastic point guard, but I don't see superstar that lifts guys up around him. Anthony Richardson - He could top out as a Lamar Jackson Lite. Great arm. Needs to trust it more (or maybe trust his receivers more, not sure which). Needs to develop as a passer in general. Project, but one that could have a huge payoff if he finds himself in the right system with a good/patient coach. Hendon Hooker - He reminds me a lot of Cam Newton. He doesn't play as big and I think Newton had more top end speed coming out, but his style is similar. He plays up to competition and can make things happen. Doesn't seem to have any one area that stands out as a strength, but is a good football player. He will be tough to sell in the war room as a first round pick. All around, I agree that this class is being overhyped. Outside of Bryce Young (who will have his critics because of his size), I don't see a guy that has put all of the signs of a franchise guy on tape. Just my opinion.

Yeah, he just doesn't have the mentality. He's soft. He could make it as a guard, at the very least, if he actually gave a poo.

So there is ACTUALLY a team that has mismanaged their QB situation worse than the Panthers the past two-three seasons. Good to know.

2nd, 3rd, and 4th in 23 5th in 24

He is a mismatch, hybrid player. He offers the opportunity to put both him and McCaffrey on the field at the same time, send one in motion, and the defense still has to respect both the run and pass. He is a weapon.

Ruins any credibility he had as a "draft guru" for sure.