Wilson is capturing our attention, we'll see if he does the same for NFL scouts
The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us. With less than two weeks to go until Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.
Today we look at the quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL Draft:
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Height: 6034 Weight: 234
Luck has all the tools to be a great one. With over a year as the top dog in this class many have tried to pick apart his game to no avail. The reality is that Luck is/was/will be the best quarterback in this class. He’s Indy bound.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: No. 1
Final Grade: 7.5
2. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
Height: 6023 Weight: 223
Griffin wasn’t even a factor in the preseason draft rankings on most sites, except ours…admittingly had him as a second round pick. That said, Griffin has elevated to the sure-fire second pick in this draft and is considered 1B in the 2012 class behind Andrew Luck. In most years, Griffin would be the No. 1 pick but not with the Stanford signal caller sitting atop this draft.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: No. 2 pick
Final Grade: 7.4
3. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Height: 6041 Weight: 221
Tannehill, like Griffin, carried a preseason second round grade for us. He elevated himself this season showing the wares to be a solid NFL projection. While he’s likely to go in the top 10 of this draft, he needs some work from a decision-making standpoint. That said, he has all the physical tools of a franchise signal caller.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Top 10 pick
Final Grade: 6.5
4. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St.
Height: 6036 Weight: 221
The biggest knock on Weeden is his age. He will be 29 years old this season which makes him a seasoned veteran in terms of age but not playing experience. If Weeden were 22 or 23 he could challenge the top signal callers in this class. He has a solid skill set that far outweighs Tannehill’s but will be selected 20-30 picks lower due to the age factor.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Late round one, early round two
Final Grade: 6.1
5. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
Height: 5107 Weight: 204
Wilson is one of my favorite QB’s in this draft and this projection is as high as you will see him. If not for his height, or lack thereof, he would be a first round prospect. From a tools standpoint, Wilson has them all. I made a bold prediction that Wilson will be a starter within three seasons in the NFL or I would shut my site down. I’m sticking with.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Third-Fourth round
Final Grade: 5.9
6. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona St.
Height: 6067 Weight: 242
Osweiler is as physically gifted as any QB not named Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III in this draft. He’s a big QB with elite movement skills for his size. He doesn’t possess the rocket arm that some would have you believe but it’s plenty good enough. The knocks on Osweiler are lack of experience and “system guy” that threw a ton of bubble screens at ASU. Osweiler is a tough grade with his “wow” moments wrapped with some not-so “wow” moments. He definitely has the tools to be a very good quarterback in the league and could develop into a starter down the road.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Second-Third round
Final Grade: 5.8
7. B.J. Coleman, QB, UT-Chattanooga
Height: 6031 Weight: 233
B.J. Coleman is an impressive prospect with a high ceiling. The former Tennessee Vol transferred to UT-Chattanooga and played at a high level against inferior competition. NFL scouts will have to determine whether Coleman has what it takes to develop into a starter at the next level. He helped himself during the pre-draft process with a solid showing.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
Final Grade: 5.4
8. Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
Height: 6025 Weight: 214
Kirk Cousins has put up some impressive numbers throughout his three seasons as MSU’s starting QB. With intangible through the roof he will be overdrafted in my opinion. He has marginal skill sets and questionable decision-making under pressure. I don’t think he’s as good a prospect as the guy he followed at MSU, Brian Hoyer. Hoyer went undrafted but is now backing-up Tom Brady in New England.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Second-Third round
Final Grade: 5.3
9. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
Height: 6045 Weight: 243
Foles is a polarizing QB prospect that has some with a second round grade on him. I fall on the backend of this polarization. I don’t find much to get overly excited about with Foles and believe he will be a career back-up at best. He’s a late round prospect for me with some upside.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Third-Fourth round
Final Grade: 5.1
10. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State
Height: 6036 Weight: 229
Lindley senior season did little to convince many that he was anything more than a late-round prospect with solid tools to play the position. His accuracy throughout his four seasons at SDSU hasn’t taken off like many expected. He has helped himself a little with good pre-draft workouts. I’m just not sure if he can ever be anything more than a third QB on an NFL roster.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Fifth-Sixth round
Final Grade: 5.0
Best of the rest:
11. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise St. Final Grade: 5.0
12. Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois Final Grade: 5.0
13. Aaron Corp, QB, Richmond Final Grade: 4.9
14. G.J. Kinne, QB, Tulsa Final Grade: 4.9
15. Austin Davis, QB, Southern Miss Final Grade: 4.8
