Of the top 150 NFL prospects on my final Big Board, youll see only eight quarterbacks included, with just three among the first 100. If the draft falls that way, it will be the first since 2000 in which there werent at least four QBs among the first 100 players selected.Â
Most years, the first round is the round to watch for quarterbacks. And this year is no exception, as where (and when) Ty Simpson is selected will generate huge ripple effects in this draft. But I expect the biggest run on QBs to transpire in the fourth round. Â
Weve documented the ups and downs of this years class since the beginning and end of the season. Now, with the draft finally upon us, I have grades on the top 12 draftable quarterbacks.Â
Here is how I rank them and why.Â
Projected round: 7/UDFA
Pro comp: Jaren Hall
Best team fits: San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys
With an NCAA-record 58 career wins, including two national championships at South Dakota State prior to finishing his collegiate career at Iowa, Gronowski certainly is a winner. And he possesses NFL size, athleticism and toughness, as well. Despite what his career 103-27 touchdown to interception rate and 63% competition percentage suggest, however, Gronowski lacks ideal accuracy. He has the dual-threat ability and intangibles to stick as a backup and developmental project, warranting late-round consideration. Â
Projected round: 6-7
Pro comp: Bailey Zappe
Best team fits: New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints
A traditional pocket passer with good anticipation, zip and accuracy to attack short and intermediate zones, Fagnanos game translates better to the NFL than some of the other Day 3 candidates. However, hes an older prospect (he turns 25 this month) and one who faced limited competition over his career, playing four seasons at Maine (an FCS school) before transferring to UConn, where his production was boosted by the presence of speedy wideout Skyler Bell. But make no mistake, Fagnanos production was eye-popping at Connecticut: a 48:6 TD-INT ratio over two seasons as a starter. He varies his release nicely and takes care of the football, rarely putting it in harms way. Fagnano further helped his stock at the East-West Shrine Bowl.Â
Projected round: 6-7
Pro comp: Max Duggan
Best team fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets
Padilla is the underdog that draws so many to sports in the first place. Hes a 5-foot-10, 207-pound former zero-star recruit who built himself into a Heisman Trophy finalist and four-time team captain with victories over both Alabama and Auburn in his career. Hes best-suited for an RPO attack, showing courage and craftiness as a runner (31 rushing TDs over his career), as well as good accuracy on the move. However, that accuracy wanes as the passes get deeper, and I think hell struggle with the tighter windows in the NFL. Hes at his best playing off script, and not every team will be comfortable with his improvisational style and personality. That said, I love his competitiveness and creativity. Â
Projected round: 6
Pro comp: Tyrod Taylor
Best team fits: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Denver Broncos
It isnt often that a quarterback leads a Power Four conference in rushing touchdowns, but that was the case
