The NFL Comparison for Top 10 QB Recruits from Class of 2014

Comparing recruits to more known players is always fun and is something I take a lot of pride in doing. I try to make exact or pretty similar comparisons of recruits to specific players, rather than just generic comparisons to any popular NFL player.

As evaluators, it helps after years of seeing a lot of players to compare recruits as it expands your "player memory bank", as I can certainly verify this. Having the ability to look at a player today and him reminding me of a player I've evaluated in the past is such a valuable tool.

Today, and for this read, we're going to look at the top 10 QB prospects this year and compare them to NFL QBs. Again, these comparisons will be to NFL QBs the recruit reminds me of and whose skill set the recruit most resembles in the NFL.

Let's get the comparing started!

Kyle Allen

Allen is a 6'2", 200-pounder from Arizona who really prides himself on the mental aspects of the QB position. He's going to make sure he puts his offense in the right play, reads coverages well and makes good decisions.

He's got just enough arm talent to make a few plays and is an accurate thrower. That's what the gist of the scouting report says about Andy Dalton. 

Jerrod Heard

Heard, who's headed to Texas, is a 6'2" field general from the Lone Star State and weighs 190 pounds. As a junior, he threw for over 2000 yards and ran for another 2000 yards and change.

A dual-threat QB prospect, Heard has solid arm strength, can run some read-option stuff and has good athleticism. He's probably not as instinctive and heady at this point, but he reminds me a bit of Russell Wilson. 

D.J. Gillins

Gillins is out of the Jacksonville area in Florida and has committed to Texas Tech. He's a 6'3", 185-pound QB who had a TD:INT ratio of 31:7 as a junior.

He's raw and needs some mechanical work, but his ceiling is high. Gillins can work from the pocket or get out of traffic and make throws downfield on the run.

Gillins is mobile and has a good right arm, essentially the make up of Jake Locker. 

Drew Barker

At 6'4" and 210 pounds, Barker is a good looking field general on the hoof and you come away even more impressed after seeing him throw.

He's also a good athlete and is a very deceptive running threat. Barker can get the ball downfield, can be really efficient at times and his accuracy gets better each time you see him.

Barker reminds me of Alex Smith. 

Tyler Harris

Watching Harris, I see a guy with a 6'2" frame who likely needs to clean up his footwork, get a little more balanced in his drops and climb the pocket more often.

I also see a guy with a good release, very good arm strength and someone who throws a light ball. His best asset is his arm strength, which is why I see a lot of Matthew Stafford in him. 

David Cornwell

Cornwell is a 6'5", 230-pound QB who's going drop in the pocket, look over the rush and deliver balls to targets the best he can all night long.

He can be a bear to bring down for sacks and is an imposing QB due to his size. He's not the fleetest of foot and Cornwell isn't going to shake and bake many people as a runner. Yet his pocket passing skills are very good.

That's why I compare him favorably to Nick Foles. 

Caleb Henderson

The best QB in Virginia this year, Henderson is a 6'3", 220-pounder who looks like a primetime QB prospect. I like his size and his ability to perform several types of throws while still taking care of the football.

He does a lot of things "good," but perhaps nothing exceptionally "great." He's got good arm strength, solid ball placement skills and sees the field pretty well.

I liken him to Matt Ryan. 

Will Grier

With his ability to get the ball downfield, outside the numbers and in tight windows with accuracy, Grier is a QB you have to like. He's very productive and also is a good athlete who can make plays with his legs.

At 6'3" and 180 pounds, he commands a spy defender on passing downs and in the red zone and has solid play speed. With his ability to win as a passer while still making a play or two as a runner, Grier compares to Ryan Tannehill. 

Keller Chryst

Chryst is a 6'3", 215-pound QB prospect with good fundamentals and mechanics. He also can read coverages well and makes good decisions.

Chryst shows a good over-the-top delivery and has enough arm strength to make all of the throws. He's pretty instinctive and has been coached up really nicely.

I compare Chryst to Eli Manning. 

Deshaun Watson

At 6'4" and 195 pounds, the Georgia QB prospect is committed to Clemson, but I'm not certain his recruitment is over just yet. Dabo Swinney would love to have Watson due to his good skill set and high ceiling.

Watson can beat you from the pocket as a passer due to his knack for seeing the field well, being decisive with the football and making good decisions. He's got a very strong arm and he can be accurate to all levels.

Watson also has the athleticism to escape the rush and can be used as a zone read-option QB too. Sounds a lot like RGIII, doesn't it?

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (formerly ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.