Breaking Down Where Ryan Nassib Fits on Day 3 of 2013 NFL Draft

Ryan Nassib is one of the best quarterback prospects remaining on the board heading into Day 3 of the 2013 NFL draft.

After watching EJ Manuel get selected at No. 16 by the Buffalo Bills, Geno Smith at No. 39 by the New York Jets and Mike Glennon at No. 73 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Syracuse signal-caller should have a chip on his shoulder and extra motivation to succeed if and when he’s finally drafted.

However, with those three teams having filled their needs for QB, there are only a handful of organizations remaining that are actively looking for one in the last four rounds.

Let’s take a look at the franchises that may have some interest and where Nassib could finally get selected on Saturday.

New England Patriots—Hold Picks No. 5 (102) and No. 29 (126) in Round 4; No. 20 (226), No. 23 (229) and No. 29 (235) in Round 7.

Judging by the number of times the Patriots have traded back, I’m not sure if Bill Belichick realizes that the window to win with Tom Brady under center is closing or not. However, with so many picks in latter portion of the 2013 draft, we’d think one could be used on a potential replacement and suitable backup to the future Hall of Famer.

Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Globe recently reported that the Pats are fielding calls for current backup Ryan Mallet, who was taken in the third round back in 2011. If the organization doesn’t feel the former Arkansas star is the right guy to take over for Brady in the long term, we wouldn’t be surprised if they flip him for some valuable picks and players and take Nassib.

Much like Mallet, Nassib is known for his high-risk, high-reward, gunslinger attitude, although at 6’2” amd 229 pounds, he doesn’t have the prototypical height desired from a quarterback. Regardless, there are plenty of shorter signal-callers succeeding in the modern NFL, and Belichick isn’t going to pass over this kid based on stature alone.

Even if the Patriots don’t move Mallet on Saturday, there is still a shot they bring in this young man—likely with one of their seventh-round selections—to learn the ropes and foster some competition behind Brady

Dallas Cowboys—Hold Picks No. 17 (114) in Round 4, No. 18 (151) in Round 5, No. 17 (185) in Round 6.

After giving Tony Romo a huge extension this offseason, the Cowboys committed to their quarterback for the foreseeable future. Regardless, neither veteran backup Kyle Orton nor third-stringer Nick Stephens from unknown Tarleton State could serve as an adequate replacement if Romo fails to live up to expectations or gets injured.

Nassib would be able to immediately challenge Orton for the QB2 job and could be groomed as an eventual successor to the 33-year-old Romo.

He possesses the delivery to make all the throws, accuracy to avoid the turnovers that have plagued Dallas for years, moves well in the pocket to avoid potential sacks behind what hasn’t been a sturdy Cowboys line and more.

If Nassib falls to Round 6, expect Jerry Jones to give this prospect serious consideration.

Arizona Cardinals—Hold Picks No. 6 (103) in Round 4, No. 7 (140) in Round 5, No. 6 (174) and No. 8 (176) in Round 6, and No. 13 (219) in Round 7.

It seems that the Cardinals have an ever-revolving door of signal-callers coming in and out, but that carousel could finally stop churning if Nassib gets on board.

From day one, the ‘Cuse product should be able to challenge the newly acquired Carson Palmer for the starting gig, although there will be some decent competition from Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer and Ryan Lindley.

If he lives up to his billing as a potential first-round pick that slid way too far on draft day, Nassib may just be a revelation for this organization. The Cardinals made an excellent decision to draft Jonathan Cooper in Round 1, shoring up one of the worst offensive lines in football last year.

Now that a quarterback actually has a chance to succeed out in the desert, why shouldn’t it be Nassib?

Expect the Cardinals to start thinking about taking him with the sixth pick in the fourth round.