2009 Draft Preview: Quarterbacks

This will be the first in a series of position by position rundowns of the top prospects in this year's NFL Draft.

We begin with arguably the most important position in the game—quarterback.

Matthew Stafford, Univ. of Georgia (Junior) 6' 2 1/2", 225 lbs

Stafford started eight of 13 games as a true freshman in 2006, & had a 6-2 record as a starter.  He started all 13 games in both his sophomore & junior years.  He also had a 3-0 record in bowl games while at Georgia.

Stafford has rare arm strength and can throw efficiently and accurately on the run.  He can throw the ball at any speed naturally, and can go through his progressions quickly when on the move.  He is tough to bring down in the pocket, is very competitive and has a passion for the game. 

However, he sometimes makes poor decisions due to too much confidence in his arm, as well as being inconsistent with his reads.  Needs to learn to put more touch on some of his passes and sometimes aims his deep balls instead of just letting it go.

Stafford has outstanding arm strength and possesses all the physical and mental tools needed to become a perennial Pro Bowl talent.  He does need to learn to control his arm though, along with becoming more consistent in reading defenses. 

He is nonetheless a top 10 talent.

Mark Sanchez, USC (Junior) 6' 2 1/8", 227 lbs

Sanchez red-shirted in 2005, and was backup for John David Booty in 2006. He started three of eight games in 2007 when Booty was injured and then became the full time starter for the 2008 season. 

Having played in a pro-style offense at USC, Sanchez is smooth dropping back in the pocket and slides side to side well to avoid pressure.  Gathers his feet well when throwing on the run, and works through progressions well both on the run and in the pocket.  Can make all the throws, is accurate,  plays with poise, and makes solid decisions with the ball.

Sanchez is only a one year starter and benefited from having as good a set of players around him on offense as any quarterback could ever ask for. His offensive line almost always gave him plenty of time and as a result, his receivers were generally wide open.  Has been dinged up with injuries.

Sanchez lacks the type of experience that one would like when drafting a quarterback.  However, he has the physical tools and the intelligence to develop into a solid NFL QB.  He is still a first round talent who should go somewhere between picks eight and 20.

Josh Freeman, Kansas State (Junior) 6' 5 3/4", 248 lbs

Freeman played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2006, starting the final eight.  He started all 12 games in 2007 and 2008.

Freeman can make every NFL throw, has great size, good athletic ability, and is strong in the pocket.  He does not go down easily and shows some ability to throw the ball on the move.  Extremely durable.

His footwork and accuracy are both inconsistent, and he seems to have difficulty with complex coverages, particularly zone blitzes and combination coverages.  Has a tendency to pull the ball down and run when his first read is covered.  Lacks confidence in his decisions, and can hold the ball too long.  Has a long delivery, and looks more comfortable in the shotgun than under center.

Freeman has all of the physical tools to succeed at the next level, and good QB coaches or offensive coordinators will like his overall skill set. 

The mental aspect of his game needs some work, and getting him to the level he needs to be at in that aspect of the game will require time and patience, if indeed he ever reaches that level. 

Even with that in mind, with his physical tools and the importance of the position, Freeman is still a mid to late first round talent.

Buyer beware:

John Parker Wilson, Alabama 6' 1 1/2", 219 lbs

Wilson grey-shirted in 2004 and saw little action in 2005, backing up Brodie Croyle.  He won the starting job in 2006, starting all 13 games. He also started all 13 games in 2007 and all 14 in 2008.

Made 40 straight starts and had less than three percent of his career passes intercepted.  Gets rid of the ball quickly and is an efficient game manager.  Has played in a pro-style offense, is coachable and durable.  Handles pressure well.

Wilson struggles with the deep ball, and his deep outs tend to die on him.  His footwork is inconsistent, and he has difficulty when his preferred short game is taken away and he has to open up defenses by throwing deep.  He has only an average arm and physical tools.  Is too quick to check down, possibly because his preference is for short throws.

Will need a simplified passing game, largely dependent upon short passes to allow him to get into a rhythm that will make him comfortable and successful. 

Wilson is a good game manager, but will always need exceptionally strong talent around him to maximize his limited abilities.  Probably a career backup at most, and shouldn't be drafted until the fourth or fifth round.

Next: Running Backs