New NFL Draft 2019 Football Film Fight - Volume III: Quarterbacks

Let's Face it, Practical is Boring!

I've provided evidence that the best bet in the NFL draft is to go for safeties and guards...you will get a lot of first year production out of those players and they have fairly low bust potential.  Conversely,  three positions that are high draft risk/reward  plays are the most exciting - running back, defensive end and of course, quarterback.  Because of the excitement the QB  position generates when it comes to draft day, it would make sense to take a few moments and look at each player and provide a thorough analysis.  But why make sense when we can have them duke it out in a Football Film Fight!

The First Rule of Football Film Fight...

Taking the Top 15 quarterbacks listed on www.drafttek.com we watch 3 games (preferably all within the last 2 seasons) from the #15 and #14 QBs and after viewing, we send one home and one to the next round.  The #13 player steps up and the process repeats until we have a winner.  

For the QB Football Film Fight, the contestants will not be evaluated against a structured set of metrics but we will attempt to assess, based on viewing of the selected footage alone, player which player looks to be the most pro ready. 

Enough with the chat...let's get it on!

SD represents "Simple Density" or Weight/Height; orange highlight indicates beyond 1 standard deviation from the mean. 

Round One: #15 Stick vs. #14 McSorley

Stick vs. Iowa 2016, SDSU 2018 and Illinois State 2018 - Excellent moving through the pocket to extend plays.   Fast but he will need to learn to slide more.  Keeps his eyes down field and will hang in to the last second. Didn't miss a lot of gimme throws.


 McSorley vs. Ohio State 2017, Iowa 2018 and Washington 2018 - Would like to see more consistency in throwing to the flat; depth assessment concerns.  Better throwing to a man than to a spot. Very quick. Wish we could have seen him exert more control over the offense.

Decision: Stick - Like the way he hangs in the pocket and can "feel" pressure.

#15 Stick vs. 13 Thorson

Thorson vs.Penn St. 2017, Notre Dame 2018 and Purdue 2018 - Textbook progression footwork early on (relaxed a bit in 2018).  Didn't see a lot of mistakes in his decision making; knew where to go with the ball based on matchups.  Can float the ball a bit at times.  Definitely not fleeter of foot than the prior two.

Decision:  Thorson - Going in, I thought Stick would last a lot longer but based on the games watched, Thorson is more pro ready.

#13 Thorson vs. #12 Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald vs. Georgia 2017, LSU 2018 and Alabama 2018 - Shaky vs. UGA early, throwing with his shoulder only; smoothed out the kinks and was solid in terms of zip and accuracy.  Under pressure, does not set, just throws with his arm only...composure issues?  He can run.  Would like to see him check out of a play or improvise when situations to exploit the defense arise.

Decision: Thorson - Fitz will need to work on composure under pressure.  Sometimes you take a sack and not throw an INT. 

#13 Thorson vs. #11 Minshew

Minshew vs. Memphis 2017 (@ ECU), USC 2018 and Washington 2018 - Whips the ball with his shoulder; how long can it hold up under that stress? Stare downs lead to a couple of picks. Quickest release so far. Inconsistent throwing motion led to inconsistent accuracy? Would like to take back a few throws made under pressure, I'm sure. 

Decision: Thorson -  Consistency will need to be a priority for Minshew's pre-draft work.

#13 Thorson vs. #10 Stidham

Stidham vs. Alabama 2017, Washington 2018 and Texas A&M 2018 - One word...SLIDE!  Nice feel in the pocket. Hangs in as long as possible to let the play develop. Not afraid to throw the ball away when nothing there. Learned to slide - how about that! Fairly steady under duress.  Fires the ball with velocity.  Nice touch on screens. 

Decision:  Stidham -  A lot of big time decisions and throws in the footage watched.  Unflappable and used his talent well. 

#10 Stidham vs. #9 Finley

Finley vs. BYU 2015 (@Boise St), Clemson 2018 and Florida State 2018  - Dude has had a long college campaign starting at BSU.  Has to get the ball out sooner, too many deflections as WR waits for ball. Picked apart FSU in the short game. 

Decision: Stidham - Finley's performance suffered against Clemson and their players are as pro ready as any so he will certainly want to review this game in his film work.

#10 Stidham vs. #8 Ta'amu

Ta'amu vs. Kentucky 2017, Auburn 2018 and Alabama 2018 - NFL scouts will likely want to see more velocity on his throws. Receivers so wide open hard to evaluate at times. Out routes take a long time to get there. Nothing wrong with throwing the ball away. Did a good job keeping his cool amid the Bama havoc created in the pocket. Not sure if his OC is too strict but passed up a lot of good open options for covered primary receivers.

Decision:  Stidham - He can run and can hit open receivers, but if there is a way to develop pocket "feel" it would help.  

#10 Stidham vs. #7 Jackson

Jackson vs. FAU 2017, Ohio 2018 and Troy 2018 - Dude is tough to stop on goal line QB sneaks. Flings the ball long effortlessly.  Stares down sometimes.  Short and deep routes look good, intermediate routes not as consistent.   Dude can run. Will need to learn when to move off the primary and check down; has to take what the defense gives him. 

Decision: Stidham - Jackson has tools and if he can get in a good situation to mentor under a veteran for a "redshirt" rookie year in the NFL, he will be one to watch.  Right now, Stidham's game is more polished.

#10 Stidham vs. #6 Grier

Grier vs. Virginia Tech 2017, Iowa State 2018 and Texas 2018 - Mountaineers have some weapons on offense.  Lots of YAC explosive plays from quick dump offs, hard to assess his contributions.  Did not see a lot of improvisation out of structure in the selected games so not sure how well he handles those situations.

Decision: Stidham - Some nice moments, but I didn't see Grier command his offense at the level of Stidham.

#10 Stidham vs. #5 Rypien

Rypien vs. Oregon 2017, Troy 2018 and San Diego State 2018 - Nice ball placement. He puts the ball where he wants to put it.  Eyes are downfield, yeah, but has to have feel in the pocket to slide or roll out and avoid the huge hits he takes.  Has to cut down on the unforced errors (LV Bowl).  Needs to find rhythm on deep ball.  Throws into a lot of double coverage.

Decision: Stidham - Rypien can deliver the ball but he will need to work on the consistency and decision-making.

#10 Stidham vs. #4 Jones

Jones vs. Miami 2017, Army 2018 and Clemson 2018 - Very accurate; he can drop it in the bucket, that's for sure.  Throws with zip. Can run to pick up a first or block on a reverse; doesn't mind getting hands dirty. Amazing patience in the pocket, but concerned about his internal clock and "feel" in a collapsing pocket.  His pooch punt adds some excitement on 4th downs.

Decision:  Stidham - This was tough.  Jones can place the ball anywhere he wants in a clean pocket but I would like to see him improve his decision making when he faces pressure.

#10 Stidham vs. #3 Lock

Lock vs. Auburn 2017, Georgia 2018 and Kentucky 2018 - Lots of dinks and dunks like Grier.  Coming up short on deep routes. Keeps his eyes downfield.  Can make intermediate throws as well but can force circus attempts by receivers.

Decision: Stidham - Lock is getting a lot of media support so he stands to cash in on his draft position wherever that may be but from the games viewed, his bread and butter is YAC.

#10 Stidham vs. #2 Murray

Murray vs. West Virginia 2018, Alabama 2018 and Texas 2018 - Very accurate. Obviously don't expect to see him run in the NFL as much as he did in college.  On option plays will want to make the defender commit before making his decision. Dude can fling it. 

Decision: Stidham - Murray was an unbelievable college player but it's not easy to anticipate how his skill set will translate at the next level.  I'm a conservative GM and don't like to gamble on skill positions. 

#10 Stidham vs. #1 Haskins

Haskins vs. Penn State 2018, TCU 2018 and Michigan 2018 - Not a threat to run every down, that's for sure.  Love the accuracy.   Dude can place the ball anywhere he likes. Not sure there were any unforced errors of consequence.

Decision: Haskins - I mean, he's just really what you want.   Hard worker, leader, driven.  Performer. Winner.  He is the best QB prospect this year.

QB "Draftable"List

Based on the Film Fight results, here are the players that would be on the Big Board.  You know I love going back to the high school days as validation of the current prospect and the determination that got each of these men to this point is evident in the following videos.  Enjoy.

Dwayne Haskins

Jarrett Stidham

Clayton Thorson

Daniel Jones

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