2012 NFL Draft: Is Ryan Tannehill a Better Talent Than Matt Barkley?

We know that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are going to go No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Many people believe that if Matt Barkley had declared early. we would very likely see quarterbacks go Nos. 1, 2 and 3 overall.

The USC signal-caller returned to campus, though, and is the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy on a national championship contender.

We wouldn't be talking about him at all with only two weeks remaining until this year's NFL draft, but ESPN's Todd McShay decided to strap the Ryan Tannehill bandwagon to a rocket and shoot into outer space.

The "man with the tan," as some like to call him, said today that Ryan Tannehill, the current No. 3 quarterback on the board and the most talked-about prospect of the week, has better tools than Barkley.

Via Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead:

"

Todd McShay: "USC fans are going to kill me for this ... Tannehill has better tools than Matt Barkley." Uh, @McShay13 ... [disagree]

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 12, 2012"

McIntryre quotes McShay also saying, "I love Matt Barkley ... Tannehill has a better arm, more mobile, better tools ... "

McShay isn't the only one who is pushing Tannehill down our throats right now, but we were ready for this, and many have expected the Texas A&M signal-caller to go top 10 for a while. One of the teams in need of quarterback was bound to miss out in free agency.

That one team is the Miami Dolphins at No. 8 overall, but there are more than a few who would rather the 'Fins wait for Barkley next year. They're certainly not guaranteed a shot at the No. 1 overall pick—which is where Barkley is aiming to be selected—but they could position themselves as such once the season is over.

But is McShay right? Is Tannehill a better prospect and are the Dolphins crazy to pass on him for a shot—not a guarantee, but a shot±at Barkley next year?

In short, is Ryan Tannehill a better talent than Matt Barkley?

Numbers don't necessarily do this argument justice, as Barkley played with a number of better talents around him and in a weaker conference. But just for kicks, the Trojan put up 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 69 percent completion percentage—USC went 10-2.

He's progressed each and every year since taking over as a freshman and has shown tremendous poise, pocket presence and command of his offense. He is, in every sense, a gifted field general with leadership intangibles that cannot be taught.

Tannehill, meanwhile, is still learning the ropes and is putting things together as he goes. He started his career in College Station as a quarterback before moving to receiver. The Aggies were in the tank last year before Tannehill moved back to quarterback, and he helped them quickly reel off six straight wins before losing to LSU in the Cotton Bowl.

He came into this season with a good bit of hype and ultimately carried a Texas A&M team that couldn't hold a lead if it were crazy glued to their hands. They finished the season with a 7-6 record, but Tannehill threw for 3,744 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with a 61 percent completion percentage.

He showed vast improvement, and and despite his team's shortcomings, he progressed his draft stock throughout much of the season.

Tannehill (6'4") has about two inches on Barkley (6'2"), but they're roughly the same weight. As a former receiver, Tannehill is obviously the more gifted athlete, but Barkley is no statue himself. The Aggie quarterback is a threat to make plays with his feet, whereas the Trojan is just good enough to get away and still make an accurate throw.

In lieu of McShay's use of the word "tools" we have no choice but give that check mark to Tannehill.

It is also evident that Tannehill's arm is stronger watching the two throw the football. He can push it down field with more zip, can fit the ball in tighter windows and has the potential to make all the throws.

But if the quarterback position were simply played by good athletes with strong arms, there would be a heck of lot more "elite" quarterbacks in today's NFL. There aren't, though, and that is why Barkley is still a superior talent to Tannehill.

Barkley shows a better understanding of the game and is much more comfortable in the pocket. He has no problems sliding up, side-stepping or shaking a pass rush and he always knows where his receivers are. His anticipation skills and understanding of coverage makes up for any weakness he has in arm strength. 

Quarterback is played as much with brains as it is arm strength and athleticism. Or, as Steve Emtman so eloquently put it in classic 1994 movie Little Giants, "Just remember, football is 80% mental and 40% physical." Well, he almost got it right.

Tannehill is by no means a dummy, but Barkley is superior in this category and has more than the necessary physical tools to succeed.

Last, but certainly not least, is what Barkley brings to field as a quarterback and leader.

He could have left USC when the sanctions came down, but he chose to stick it out despite knowing he wouldn't get a chance to play in a bowl game unless he returned for his senior season. On top of that, he rallied a group of players who essentially had nothing to play for but each other. A 10-2 record is nice, but they have no Pac-12 title to show for it and no bowl game packages or prizes to call their own. They won games because they were a superior team, but led by any less of a quarterback, things could have quickly unraveled in Southern California.

Things did unravel in College Station, and it cost Mike Sherman his job. That blame doesn't fall on Tannehill much at all, but the Aggies were a preseason top-10 team and considered a potential BCS championship contender.

The two teams went in completely opposite directions.

Does Ryan Tannehill have some intriguing tools? Absolutely. Heck, we could even say he has more overall potential.

But is he a better overall talent than Barkley? No, not by a long shot.