2018 Draft Analysis, Part 6: Quarterbacks

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March 15, 2018

by Adam Taraschke

I’m back with another draft preview for the Hog Sty.  This week I take a look at the quarterbacks in the 2018 class.  The Redskins seemingly eliminating QB as a target early in the draft by trading for Alex Smith ealier in the offseason.  However, this may be a good draft to look at some mid-round guys who could sit and learn behind Smith and McCoy for a few seasons.  This class has a handful of guys that I believe could develop into starting quality QB’s and be had later in the draft.

  1. Sam Darnold (Southern California) 6’3 220
  2. Josh Rosen (UCLA) 6’4 226
  3. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) 6’1 215
  4. Lamar Jackson (Louisville) 6’3 200
  5. Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) 6’5 235
  6. Josh Allen (Wyoming) 6’5 233
  7. Luke Falk (Washington State) 6’4 225
  8. Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) 6’3 215
  9. Mike White (Western Kentucky) 6’4 225
  10. Austin Allen (Arkansas) 6’ 209

Day 1 prospect: Sam Darnold (USC) 6’3”, 220

Strengths: Darnold looks the part with an NFL frame.  He has a strong arm that allows him to push the ball down the field and into tight windows.  He has pro ready accuracy.  Smooth footwork and pocket movement.  He plays with great poise and awareness in the pocket.  Constantly has his eyes down the field.  Can make plays inside and out of the pocket.  He works through his progressions quickly and knows how to diagnose different coverages.  Seems to have a very strong grasp of the offense he played in. He made plenty of clutch throws in his career.  Darnold has the best leadership traits of anyone in this draft and he seems like the closest to a sure thing of any QB in this class.

Weaknesses: Turnovers are the biggest issue with Darnold, who took far too many chances in 2017.  He is an accurate passer, but he forced the ball in bad situations because he trusted his arm too much. He has a looping release that needs to be tightened up at the next level.  He needs to be more disciplined with his eyes.  He likes to take fight for yards when he runs the ball and will need to learn how to slide more.

Overall: Darnold is my top QB in the draft and he is the only QB I would take at 13 if was making the pick.  He has the potential to develop into a premier passer in the NFL, and yet he has the highest floor of any of the future rookies.  He still has much to learn, but with Alex Smith cemented as the starter Darnold would have time to learn how to be an NFL QB as he sat behind Smith for a year or two.  He brings great leadership and immense arm talent to the team the day he arrives.  He knows how to throw with anticipation to make his receivers better.  Jay Gruden would finally have his dream QB and the team would have their answer at the position for the next decade or more.

Day 2 prospect: Kyle Rudolph (Oklahoma State) 6’5”, 235

Strengths: Great natural passer who throws with excellent touch and timing.  He is an accurate passer who filled up the stat sheet at Oklahoma State.  Big body guy who moves well in the pocket.  Throws with good anticipation.  He has a decent arm, but he throws better when in rhythm.  Comfortable sliding in the pocket to buy time.  Despite his lack of arm strength, he made tons of plays down the field.  Can use his big frame as a weapon in the run game.

Weaknesses: He lacks elite arm strength. He needs work under center seeing as how he took most of his snaps from the shotgun.  He struggles on getting the ball out on time on routes towards the sideline.  He is not great outside the pocket.  He needs to be in rhythm when throwing or he makes poor decisions.  Footwork needs work.

Overall: Rudolph is an interesting prospect.  He lit it up in college and got better every year, but there are questions about arm talent and his fit in the NFL as he comes from a wide-open system.  Some think he could sneak into the late part of the 1st round, but I believe he will be available somewhere between picks 40-60.  If the Redskins want to add a QB with starting potential, but some edges to smooth out this is the guy.  He is similar to Kirk Cousins in that he lacks great velocity on his throws, but makes up for it with his timing and anticipation.  He usually makes good decisions and knows where to go with the ball in most situations. He has shown to be a good leader and has traits that point to him continuing to develop at the next level.  He would be a solid QB if he had a few years to learn the system and position behind Alex Smith.

Day 3 prospect: Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) 6’3”, 215

Strengths: He possesses NFL quality accuracy and touch. He moves well in the pocket.  He isn’t afraid to hang in the pocket for an extra second to let his receivers get open.  Does a great job manipulating defenses with his eyes. He has smooth footwork in multiple settings.  Comfortable under center or in the shotgun.  He is effective inside and outside the pocket.  He is cool under pressure.  He has a quick release and clean mechanics.  Excellent leader and 2-time captain.  Seems to love the game and strives to get better every chance he gets.  He is generally a good decision maker.

Weaknesses: Lacks big time arm talent and tends to float passes down the field.  His style of deep ball allows defenders time to recover.  He tends to drop his eyes when under pressure.  He can force the ball into tight windows causing turnovers.  The majority of his concerns stem from arm strength.

Overall: Lauletta is a guy who made a name for himself at the senior bowl.  He does not have an NFL arm in terms of strength, but his accuracy is on par with anyone in this draft.  When he throws with timing, rhythm, and anticipation he can make almost any throw you ask of him.  He knows where to go with the ball and makes quick decisions that puts pressure on the defense.  He should be available early day 3, but he has potential to have a Kirk Cousins-like development.  He shows the ability to lead men and make winning plays.  If he was given the opportunity to sit and learn behind Smith I truly believe he could be Washington’s starting QB in 2-3 years.

Favorite prospect: Lamar Jackson (Louisville) 6’3”, 200

Strengths: Polarizing athlete with remarkable playmaking ability.  His lateral quickness and burst is unlike anything we have in the NFL at QB.  He makes off schedule plays look like they’ve been rehearsed.  Quick release with clean upper body mechanics.  Has a whippy arm that can zip the ball through tight windows.  His eyes are much improved from last year.  He looks to reset his feet and make big plays with his arm after avoiding pressure.  Moves well in the pocket. Flashes elite ball placement down the field.  Shown the ability to make quick reads and smart decisions.

Weaknesses: His footwork and base need some serious clean up.  He stands too tall in the pocket and gets almost no leg drive on his throws.  Makes some risky throws due to his trust in his arm.  Slender frame.  He has too many head scratching misses rather than easy completions.  Despite his athleticism he needs work throwing on the run.  His pocket mechanics and poise need some work.

Overall: Lamar Jackson may be my favorite player in the entire draft.  He is as polarizing of a prospect that I’ve ever watched.  He makes plays constantly and makes them look easy.  He has immense talent and potential as a passer, but his threat as a runner is unrivaled at the next level.  Most of his issues are technical.  I believe with the right coach he could develop into a highly accurate passer.  He has an NFL arm and can make any throw you ask of him.  If he is available in the 2nd round I would draft him in a heartbeat and develop him for 2 years.  He will still see the field in wildcat and other exotic schemes that allow him to use his legs all while developing as a QB.  Jackson has more potential than any player in this draft and has a chance to be what Mike Vick could have been.  When he learns how to drive through his hips on throws down the field he will be a deadly weapon.  He makes throws that blow your mind and he does it with poor fundamentals.  That makes you wonder how much better he could get working with an NFL QB coach.  The sky is the limit for Jackson and if he is available come day 2 the Redskins must pounce on a potential franchise, game breaking QB.

Highest Ceiling: Lamar Jackson

Highest Floor: Sam Darnold

Most Pro Ready: Josh Rosen

Strongest Arm: Josh Allen

Most Accurate: Baker Mayfield

Most Athletic: Lamar Jackson

Best Play Action: Kyle Lauletta

Best Room to Improve: Josh Allen

Biggest Riser: Luke Falk

Biggest Sleeper: Austin Allen

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