NFL Draft Combine 2012 Results: Height Improves Brock Osweiler's Draft Stock

Brock Osweiler measured in a little smaller than expected today, which will be a great thing for the Arizona State quarterback. His build, all of a sudden, looks a lot more impressive.

Rob Rang of CBSSports also feels that the smaller height will work in Osweiler's advantage. 

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Typically, it is a bad thing for a player to measure in shorter than he was listed by the school but in the case of the lanky Osweiler, measuring in more than an inch shorter should help to ease concerns about his mobility. Osweiler shows surprisingly light feet and flexibility on tape for a quarterback of his size. There is no doubt that he's a unique athlete, considering the fact that he originally committed to Gonzaga University as a basketball player before electing to pursue football with the Sun Devils. 

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Rang couldn't be more right, but there are a few other things to point out. At nearly 6'7", Osweiler is still significantly taller than the prototypical NFL quarterback.

So, while measuring in a little smaller than anticipated will help ease doubts about his mobility (or lack thereof), his height is still a tremendous advantage. Nobody will ever doubt his ability to see over the line and deliver the pass, as least not with a straight face.

But as for the lack of height being an advantage, it's actually simple. Osweiler does not have a particularly  impressive physique. He is very tall, but also wiry, and that is not a label you want to have as an NFL quarterback. 

Scouts, general managers and coaches need to know that a quarterback can take a hit if they're going to draft him. They don't want someone that looks and measures like a string bean. Seeing Osweiler look a little smaller, but with the same frame, the label of string bean is all of a sudden harder to give him.

From this point on, it's all downhill for him. For a man of that size, Osweiler does indeed run well and he has a cannon for an arm. Yes, he is a little raw (he threw 13 interceptions in 2011), but the talent and intangibles are there. 

Don't expect to see Osweiler fall below the second round.

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