2009 NFL Draft Preview: Ranking the Quarterbacks

With the NFL Scouting Combine less than a week away, it's time to get started on ranking the top available prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. Today I'll be previewing the quarterbacks that will be available in April.

1.  Matthew Stafford; 6'3" 235  Georgia           

Positives:  Stafford has arguably the strongest arm in the entire draft, and professional scouts love that. He has never missed any time at Georgia due to injury, and his production reflects that durability. He is the ideal size for an NFL quarterback, and is the type of player a franchise can build around. He has great mobility, which is surprising given that he doesn't possess great all-around speed. He is a great athlete.

Negatives:  Stafford has a knack for forcing the ball, similar to a Brett Favre or Jay Cutler. He often tries to fit the ball into tight spaces, and since he has such a strong arm he is willing to take those kinds of risks. Another knock is that Stafford doesn't have the greatest footwork and has never really been a clutch quarterback.  

Overall:  I think Stafford's play on the field and leadership ability make him a top ten talent for this year's draft. He is a great prospect with an extremely strong, very accurate throwing arm. If he works on his footwork mechanics, he could be a superstar in the NFL.

Grade:  96

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2006	13	135	256	1,749	52.7%	7	13
2007	13	194	348	2,523	55.7%	19	10
2008	13	235	383	3,459	61.4%	25	10
Totals	39	564	987	7,731	57.1%	51	33

2.  Mark Sanchez; 6'3" 225  USC            

Positives:  Sanchez's best overall trait is his extremely quick release. He comes from a pro-style offense, and in evaluating the tape he appears to be his very best when he is coming out of the play-action. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he has excellent timing on his throws. Sanchez is a very stand-up person as well as player and has great leadership skills on the field. 

Negatives:  In 2006, Sanchez was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting another USC student, but hasn't had any off-the-field issues since that incident. He has only started 16 games in his collegiate career, and some will feel that he could have greatly benefited from going back to school for another year. He does not wow anyone with his arm strength.

Overall:  Sanchez is a competitor and a coach's dream. He will find success at the next level if he continues to grow as a leader and if he doesn't let the history of USC quarterbacks in the NFL get to his head. He has the tools; he just needs time to develop. 

Grade:  91

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2005	RS	-	-	-	-	-	-
2006	6	3	7	63	42.9%	0	1
2007	8	69	114	695	60.5%	7	5
2008	13	241	366	3,207	65.8%	34	10
Totals	27	313	487	3,965	64.3%	41	16

3.  Josh Freeman;  6'6" 238  Kansas State         

Positives:  If there is any quarterback in the draft that rivals Matthew Stafford's pure arm strength, it is Josh Freeman. Freeman was the bright spot of a Kansas State team that really didn't pose a threat to anyone. Still, he was able to put up fine numbers in college. Freeman's biggest asset is his size, which is ideal for an NFL quarterback. He has all of the physical tools, and the big arm. He is very mobile for his size as well, and has played in a pro-style offense in college.

Negatives:  His leadership abilities and mental capacities are in question as Freeman heads off to the next level. He has a big arm, and sometimes is caught being overly confident. He has a history of being inconsistent, and often struggled against top of the line defenses. 

Overall:  I think Freeman has the arm and the physical tools to be a great NFL quarterback, and the only thing preventing him from being a top ten pick is inconsistency with his playing habits. If he can work on the mental aspect of his game, he has potential to be a starter.

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2006	11	140	270	1,780	51.9%	6	15
2007	12	316	499	3,353	63.3%	18	11
2008	12	224	382	2,945	58.6%	20	8
Totals	35	680	1,151	8,078	59.1%	44	34

Grade:  86

4.  Nate Davis; 6'2" 217  Ball State  

Positives:  Possesses exceptional arm strength and is very accurate on deep throws. He throws a very catchable ball, and was very accurate on intermediate routes in college.  He can throw very accurately on the run, and is a great athlete in general. He has an ability to make plays with his legs when in trouble. He never missed any games in college due to injury.

Negatives:  The biggest knock on Davis is that he never really played any tough competition. He put up big numbers, but never had to face a top college defense. Also, he doesn't possess adequate size, and his listed height of 6'2" is a very generous measurement.

Overall:  Davis will probably slip out of the first day, but could be a great developmental prospect for a team to take a shot on in the middle rounds. He has great arm strength, and his athletic ability will be tough for NFL scouts to ignore.

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2006	12	150	245	1,975	61.2%	18	8
2007	13	270	478	3,667	56.5%	30	6
2008	14	258	401	3,591	64.3%	26	8
Totals	39	678	1,124	9,233	60.3%	74	22

Grade:  82

5.  Rhett Bomar;  6'2" 215  Sam Houston State  

Positives:  Bomar has a very strong arm, and showed it off at the Senior Bowl earlier this year. He has an excellent deep ball, and isn't easily flustered under pressure. He has very sound throwing motion and, prior to being dismissed from Oklahoma's football team, he actually started ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. He is raw, but has great potential.

Negatives:  Bomar has off-the-field troubles, and can be quite overconfident in himself at times. Like Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman, he is willing to try and fit his throws into tight spaces, resulting in interceptions. He doesn't have great size for a quarterback either.

Overall:  Bomar would be worth a mid-round flyer for a team that is looking to develop a quarterback for the future. He has the potential to be great, but needs to adjust his attitude and put his past behind him.

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2004	RS	-	-	-	-	-	-
2005	12	167	308	2,018	54.2%	10	10
2006	Transfer	-	-	-	-	-	-
2007	9	172	291	2,209	59.1%	10	6
2008	10	245	436	3,355	56.2%	27	13
Totals	31	584	1,035	7,582	56.4%	47	29

Grade:  75

6.  Graham Harrell;  6'3" 203  Texas Tech   

Positives:  Harrell was extremely productive in his time at Texas Tech. The numbers speak for themselves. His arm isn't the strongest or most accurate, but he has the talent to make any NFL throw. His intelligence is unmatched among the top quarterback prospects. He is very tough, and has started 26 consecutive contests.

Negatives:  He doesn't have excellent size for the position. Lean frame and lack of bulk are an injury waiting to happen. He has never proven that he is a scrambler, and has poor pocket presence. Not lining up under center very often could hurt Harrell come draft day.

Overall:  Harrell was a very productive college quarterback, and proved that he was one of the better quarterbacks in the nation with his performances against some of the top competition. I don't see him being anything more than a backup at the next level, but if given the right opportunity, he could be a starter.

Career Statistics
Year	GP	Comp	Att	Yds	Comp %	TD	INT
2004	RS	-	-	-	-	-	-
2005	6	37	55	422	67.2%	3	0
2006	13	412	616	4,555	66.8%	38	11
2007	12	512	713	5,705	72.6%	48	14
2008	13	442	626	5,111	70.6%	45	9
Totals	44	1,403	2,010	15,793	69.8%	134	34

Grade:  70

7.  Hunter Cantwell; 6'4" 230  Louisville

Grade:  68

8.  Cullen Harper;  6'3" 220   Clemson

Grade:  64

9.  Chase Daniel;  6'0" 234   Missouri

Grade:  63

10.  Curtis Painter;  6'3" 225  Purdue   **Sleeper**

Grade:  63

11.  Mike Reilly; 6'4" 212  Central Washington

Grade:  55

12.  John Parker Wilson;  6'2" 209  Alabama

Grade:  54

13.  David Johnson;  6'3"  220  Tulsa

Grade:  53