Andrew Luck Is Best Available, Most NFL Ready Player in 2011 NFL Draft
There are a ton of players ready to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft.
With the college football season now over (except for bowl games), it's time to look ahead to which players will be the best fits for NFL teams eagerly seeking fresh talent.
For teams looking for quarterback help, there is no better choice than Andrew Luck of Stanford.
Here's a look at what Luck brings to the table as a future NFL starting quarterback and a look at his competition for the top spot among quarterbacks who will be drafted.
Mechanics and Footwork
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Grade: A+
Analysis:
Luck has exceptional footwork and mechanics. He does everything you'd want a prototypical quarterback to do in the NFL. He has no major mechanical issues when it comes to ball position, ball control, release point, or throwing motion.
His footwork ability comes from his career as a soccer player while growing up in Europe.
He has good body control and shows an above average ability to buy time in the pocket. Several analysts have already said his mechanics are better than most NFL quarterbacks. After watching some tape, I can only agree.
He's certainly got better mechanics than at least half of the men playing professionally.
Arm Strength and Accuracy
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Grade: A
Analysis:
Luck has an above-average NFL arm and can make all of the throws required of an NFL quarterback. He's not a big runner in the style of Michael Vick, so his arm is his primary weapon. I've seen tape of every game this season for Luck and haven't yet seen a play he cannot make.
As for accuracy, the statistics tell the story. He's thrown only 11 interceptions in 637 career attempts at Stanford (two years as a starter). His completion percentage in 2010 was 70.2 percent, a huge jump from 2009 which shows how much he's grown in just one year.
He makes good decisions and is careful with the football. He shows a knack for making plays and making something out of nothing. This is essential in the NFL. He makes few mistakes in his reads and is already likely advanced enough to make defensive reads in the NFL.
Intangibles
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Grade: A+
Analysis:
Where do you begin? He's the complete player package.
He's played in an offense not built around him in college and only excelled. He's bashful and modest as a person, and doesn't seem prone to diva behavior like some quarterbacks present and future.
He's a smart, heady player in the style of Peyton Manning who thinks through games and plays and adjusts his game to the circumstances on the field. His skill set allows him the ability to adjust to almost any system offensively and to any defense while playing.
He has a knack for making big plays and buying time in the pocket (think Ben Roethlisberger without the huge physical frame). He's not a runner, but you can't sleep on his scrambling ability. He also doesn't take many sacks.
He makes sound reads and decisions, which will play well as an NFL rookie because he will likely be able to limit his mistakes.
The only drawback is his experience. He's only started two years at Stanford, so some will question his ability to step into the NFL and be successful. In this case, however, he seems to be more ready than almost anyone in recent memory.
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The Competition
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Luck isn't the only quarterback who has first round potential, obviously.
Here are a few other names mentioned as potential first rounders and some reasons why they aren't as good or as ready as Luck:
Cam Newton, Auburn
Newton is the Heisman winner for 2010. That is instant credibility in this business.
The problem with Newton is that his skill set doesn't always translate into the NFL's quarterback position. He could be very good or could be very poor.
The question is whether or not his ability as a runner makes him more valuable than a drop-back passer like Luck. Newton doesn't have the intangibles either. He's a better pure athlete than Luck, but not a better overall player at the position.
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Mallett has the strongest arm in the draft. He's got some character issues lingering, but they shouldn't inhibit his draft status.
He's got some running ability and his big frame reminds many of Ben Roethlisberger. He's got better running ability than Luck, but his accuracy and intangibles don't match up.
He's not the same kind of decision maker and I wonder if he'll succeed in a different offensive system.
Jake Locker, Washington
Locker was the top rated quarterback coming into the season, but his stock has fallen simply because several other players have emerged as better options.
Locker is accurate and tough. He's got great great intangibles and is probably the second best quarterback in this draft class.
He's not a complete player and there are questions since he hasn't played against the highest levels of competition at Washington.
How It Plays Out
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So who drafts Luck? It's still anyone's guess, but anyone seeking a quarterback will be quick to grab him early in the draft.
Here's a look at some potential fits.
Carolina Panthers
With the first overall selection almost locked up, they're the odds-on favorite. The problem is they just drafted their quarterback of the future last year in Jimmy Clausen.
The best idea for the Panthers might be to trade down and grab a bunch of picks to fill some of their other voids and put a better team around Clausen.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo could trade into the top spot and nab Luck. His style fits well with Chan Gailey's offense and he would have the benefit of being able to sit and learn from Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year if necessary.
Buffalo is my favorite to land the future starter because they have the most need for a quarterback and the most to gain from a player like Luck.
Denver Broncos
They have Tim Tebow, but a new coach and new regime might be quick to discard the former Florida star for something more likely to succeed.
Luck fits the offense the Broncos currently have much better than Tebow and is more NFL ready now than Tebow will be next season. Denver would do well to trade up and get him and could even leave him on the bench for season while Kyle Orton starts.
It would also be poetic for Denver to draft another star Stanford quarterback (remember John Elway?).
Arizona Cardinals
Does any team need a body at quarterback more than Arizona?
They won't have the first overall pick, so they'll need to trade up. The question is whether or not they can.
If Luck is available to them, they would be crazy not to draft him. If he's not, it's likely Ken Whisenhunt grabs Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett, who fit his offensive system.
My Pick: Buffalo Bills
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