Official 2014 NFL Draft Thread - Quarterbacks

At this point it is likely that the Browns will be able to select one of the top 2-3 QB's coming out this year. I really could care less who it is at this point.

Each one will have his issues to overcome at the next level.

The real question will be can the Stooges in the FO find the right HC and can they then assemble a coaching staff that can groom and coach up any of those prospects.

All I really care about is that they get it RIGHT and their shiny new QB leads the Browns to a 48-7 divison record over the next 10 seasons with 10 straight divison titles and playoff appearances including multiple SB wins (3+) ...

 

Question is, would you leap frog the Jags for Bridgewater? It is not a foregone conclusion that the Texans will take Teddy. It is just as easy to think the Texans front office and coach will fall head over heels for Manziel, you know Texans and their intrastate pride. To pass on Johnny Texas, who was born, bred and raised in Texas for a guy who is from Miami FL (rival football state. Think PA and OH) and played in KY, is almost sacrilege. Now if said QB from Texas was a 2nd round prospect it would be different, but in this case, it could be argued Manziel deserves the #1 overall pick....don't dismiss this theory, talk to a Texan for 10 minutes and tell me their in state pride isn't part of their inner being.

If they pass on Teddy, we should be able to move two spots for our (2) Firsts. I believe this ammo is exactly the reason they traded TRich in the first place.

Thing is, the points line up perfectly and there isn't another team that can offer this to the Rams who can rebuild through the draft with 3 first rounders...

I can't wait to watch this very scenario develop..

 

If that kind of move leads to a 48-7 divison record over the next 10 seasons with 10 straight division titles and playoff appearances including multiple SB wins (3+) ... Great... *DANCE*

But if it means another 10-years of 4 and 5 win seasons then maybe we'd better go old school and get out the torches and pitch forks... *ROSE*

Side note...

That Josey Kid from Mizzou looked pretty good last night. Similar size to Dion Lewis. *THUMBSUP*

Michael Sam(52) I think could transition to OLB at the next level.

Watch out for Jimmy Bean the next few years. Only a Soph, but was pretty disruptive most of the night.

 

If we can't get Bridgewater, Sammy Watkins would help make any QB look better...just saying

 

Sammy Watkins at 4? He wont last to the Colts pick. I would LOVE to see him on the field with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. Best QB available at the Colts pick?

 

Exactly Dvl, Watkins won't make it out of the top ten...but we certainly could move up from the Colts pick for which ever QB drops...IF they aren't enamored with a single QB..If they are, you take the QB and don't look back.

 

That's how I hope it plays out . Watkins is a BEAST

 

bluez, read my response to Irish on Watkins on the other thread, it comes within the inner circle of the Rams from a decent source who knows some things. Anything can change but as of this weekend, a pretty solid leaning.

 

I Want Watkins with our first pick .

Just say NO NO NO To Johnny Beanstalk Fluke :!

 

I'd actually be pretty shocked if the Rams passed on a quarterback this year. They should have gone with RG3 back in 2012 but didn't. Bradford is serviceable, but has a sub-60% completion rate in his career, is extremely injury-prone and costs $14.1 million next year.

Quite honestly, without any trades, the four of the first five picks of the draft could be quarterbacks.

 

I have to respectfully disagree, bluez. Even a top-flight WR doesn't get you into the playoffs (i.e., Calvin Johnson and Josh Gordon). However, an elite QB guarantees you a post season berth.

I don't know that Manziel will be elite at the next level, but he's worth a shot.

We already have the best WR in the NFL. With respect to Calvin Johnson -- the only one close -- Gordon was an absolute monster this year, had three quarterbacks -- two of whom were absolute crap -- and missed two games due to suspension.

Oh, and it was only his second year in the League.

 

All right, here's first crack at it with the picks we know for sure (plus the Colt's first rounder range).

1-4: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M

New regimes mean new quarterbacks. All the chatter out of Berea is that Johnny Manziel is the Brown's guy. They're either doing a terrific job misinforming people, or an awful job hiding their intentions. Firing a first-year head coach and focusing exclusively on guys who run west-coast and timing-styles offenses is a pretty big tip of the hand that they're not going with guys like Brett Hundely and Derek Carr.

1-25-30: Odell Beckham Jr., WR LSU

The "Most Versatile Player" in college would do wonders for a sluggish offense without an identity. Possesses great hands and runs even better routes. The regime badly needs to upgrade Davone Bess and Greg Little, both of whom should be getting checks from another team in 2014.

2-35: Lamarcus Joyner, DB Florida State

Joyner has the versatility to play either safety position or cornerback. One of the best DBs in the country two years running, the only knock on him is his 5'8" and 190 pound frame. Probably better suited at a position like CB where he won't take such a beating making tackles.

3-71: Chris Borland, ILB Wisconsin

They say D'Qwell Jackson could be on the outs in Cleveland (due $8.0 million in 2014). Banner is notorious for releasing aging, high-priced veterans and Jackson could be an unfortunate casualty.

Considering the F/O is also talking about a switch back to the 4-3, the linebacker position becomes incredibly thin. Borland is one of the most instinctive linebackers I've seen play and his motor reminds of fellow Badger alum, J.J. Watt.

3-83: Christian Jones, LB Florida State

Back to the well of the best team in college football. Jones is a versatile LB prospect who can play inside or outside. Perfectly-suited for a 4-3 system.

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Again, this first shot is predicated on the Browns hiring a guy like McDaniels at head coach and filling his staff with 4-3 disciples on defense and west coast disciples on offense.

 

Johnny Fluke has Ryan Leaf written all over him . he is small to small for the AFC North with a frat boy me first attitude . he will get his skinny ass bent into before his first season is over with .

the Browns are in no postilion to take chances on a PUNK with to many question marks .I am no scout but I see disaster with that Nimrod .

Draft Watkins then take the best QB that drops .one will drop .I hope it is Bortles .let his set behind Hoyer who we can win with IMHO .

The QB is more than x&o you have to be a leader .one that guys will get into a fox hole with .you have to be one of the guys .

Just say NO NO NO to Johnny FLUKE Beanstalk !

 

Not bad SAS, but they probably should/need to take an RB prior to round 4.

Lombatard will probably phuque it up any way then blame the HC for not winning games. *SCRATCH*

 

I don't know that I necessarily agree.

Manziel is listed at 6'1" and 210. We'll have to wait to see the official measurements at the Combine, but that's not a big issue in my mind. Andy Dalton is listed as 6'2" and 215. Brian Hoyer is 6'3" and 215. Manziel is 21 years old and has time to add bulk to his frame.

Besides, how did these proto-typically sized guys fare?

Derek Anderson: 6'6" 230
Brady Quinn: 6'4" 235
Brandon Weeden: 6'4" 221
Charlie Frye: 6'4" 217
Tim Couch: 6'4" 220

Just curious here... what question marks concern you? Johnny's biggest misstep was allegedly trading autographs for money, which the NCAA (right or wrong) determined he did not do. Cam Netwon's family was paid $250,000 for him to go to Auburn. Oregon has a fake employee on personal retainer to funnel potential recruits to their school. Miami had one of the largest player payout schemes in history and USC was doing it for years, too.

As for the partying and trash talking... he's a brash, 21 year old college kid. I did plenty of that in college and I wasn't the best football player in the country.

Nothing against Sammy Watkins, because I think he's awesome... but he's not the missing piece to the playoffs.

And concerning Hoyer, he's a 28-year old perennial backup coming off of a tough knee injury. He was impressive in his two starts this year for Cleveland, but no one has any definitive answer on him as far as potential and ceiling.

I fully support Hoyer and want him to come back and have the starting job, but we need a QB to develop and we need one who can contribute sooner rather than later if Hoyer turns out to be another flop.

As far as Blake Bortles is concerned, I'm done with taking QBs who produce against inferior competition. Plenty of guys can look the part but play like crap (i.e., Blaine Gabbert, Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell). Bortles had an impressive bowl game which means he's going to be a rising star to watch, but how often does that work out for prospective players?

Despite his party boy persona, Manziel is actually very well-respected by his peers and coaches for his work ethic and dedication to the team.

With Brett Hundley electing to return to UCLA for his junior season, Manziel just became the top QB on my board and the number one target if I were running the show in Berea.

 

You're breaking my heart, crex. I hope to never draft a running back again after the Trent Richardson fiasco. Or Montario Hardesty.

I really like what Carlos Hyde brings to the table, but I worry he'll be a mid-second round pick and won't fall to that that #73 pick.

I definitely think the RB position needs addressed, but we do have Dion Lewis returning (who looked to be the best of the bunch in preseason) from injury. And trying to predict the future, if we end up with a McDaniels at the helm, he's used to running systems that employ multiple, little-known RBs.

 

At least we agree that the RB position needs addressed.

If by NOT trusitng in any of Lombardi's supposed skills in finding talent breaks your heart then don't expect me to mend it.

I look at the clusterphuqe that we had at RB and WR this year and place that on the GM 100%. Beyond Gordon and Jordan there are no "playmakers" on offense.

No one of note or remotely talented was added to the offense in as starters or quality backups when Lewis went down.

I have absolutely no faith or trust in the Two stooges making personnel decisions for this team.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I have an exercise for everyone since we now have 5 months until the draft...

What are your "requirements" for the next QB, list them in order of importance to you personally.

Example:

strong pre-read of defense
leader on/off field
playmaker
strong through progressions
able to make all throws
durable
strong arm
height/weight
high character off the field

This would be my "perfect" QB criteria...

What is yours? The more to participate the better, so all of you regulars, get your posts on so we can discuss.

 

You probably haven't been tracking my changes from the first post bluez, but I have updated status changes in QBs when they declare one way or the other:

Original list was:
1st round:
Teddy Bridgewater
Marcus Mariota
Brett Hundley
Johnny Manziel
Derek Carr
Blake Bortles
Bryce Petty
2nd round
Tajh Boyd
3rd round
A.J. McCarron
Zach Mettenberger(because of injury)
Aaron Murray(because of injury)

Now that college seasons have ended we have a clearer picture:
1st round:
Teddy Bridgewater
Johnny Manziel
Derek Carr
Blake Bortles
A.J. McCarron (probable first, due to the three that went back to school)

2nd round
Tajh Boyd
Zach Mettenberger (despite injuries)
Aaron Murray (despite injuies)

3rd
Jimmy Garoppolo

eliminated, going back to school:
Brett Hundley
Marcus Mariota
Bryce Petty

I will guarantee you bluez those top 4 QBs will go in the top ten with Hundley and Mariota going back to school...The only choice with the Colts pick will be McCarron, who I also expect to leap frog Tajh Boyd and go in the first round. Think Andy Dalton with McCarron in skill level, but smarter with the football (unless he is playing Oklahoma).

There is no chance any of those top 4 will fall to our second pick...0% chance!

We may see a couple of these other QBs raise to the top of the 2nd without merit, but the top 4 are worthy of first round choices and so they will never make it out of the top 10.

 

I like this thought, Irish!

I'd have to say my Top 5 criteria would be:

1. Playmaker
2. Field vision
3. Decision making
4. Accuracy
5. Arm strength / ability to make throws

Playmaker
First and foremost, the quarterback needs to be the playmaker on offense. Look at the game managers out there who've made it to the playoffs. The two best examples are Andy Dalton and Alex Smith -- and both are already done in the post season.

Field vision
Whatever you want to call it, I think the most important tangible of a quarterback -- beyond accuracy and arm strength -- is the ability to read a defense and know where to put the ball. We've had accurate quarterbacks and strong arm quarterbacks before, but we've never had a guy who always knew where to go with the football.

The closest we've actually seen in recent memory has been Brian Hoyer.

Decision making
Going hand-in-hand with the above item, the ability to make the smart throw -- be it a long throw or a check down or a throw away. Too often we've seen Browns drives killed by horrendous and ill-advised throws.

Accuracy
Bigger than arm strength, in my eyes. A strong arm is nothing without touch, right Mr. Weeden?

Arm strength
Obviously a must-have for quarterbacks. If it was just intelligence and accuracy, Ken Dorsey would still be around.

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It's a tall order to find all those things in a QB. That's why it's paramount to get it right.