2012 NFL Draft: Why Ryan Tannehill Is Not a 1st-Round Quarterback Prospect

The 2012 NFL Draft is a distant thought, but this is the time when prospects build their draft stock.  Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill is being mentioned as one of the top quarterback prospects.  Some evaluators feel that he is a strong candidate to land in the first round.  However, I disagree and feel that Tannehill looks more like a mid-round prospect.

Prior to the season, I watched several of Tannehill's games, developing an early opinion.  From the games I viewed, Tannehill appeared to have some upside but needed more development.  He had limited experience, which impacted his decision making.  Tannehill had a tendency to force throws, often resulting in turnovers.  His inability to consistently deliver an accurate football was also cause for concern.  He especially struggled with this deep accuracy.

Tannehill took over as the starting QB in the middle of the 2010 season, which provides him with some slack.  The majority of his struggles came from things that could improve with more experience. Tannehill was receiving some love because of his physical talents and upside.

Based on Tannehill's first season, I felt that he should be selected no higher than the third round.  However, he has this entire season to improve his stock.

After watching the Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M game, my opinion on Tannehill remains unchanged.  He has showed little development, displaying the same struggles as last season.

Tannehill displayed questionable decision making, often throwing the ball into coverage.  He had a tendency of locking onto his first read, most notably on the sideline patterns.  Tannehill was able to make some early completions.  However, the defensive backs quickly picked up on his tendencies and were able to jump the ball.  His interception along the sideline was due to staring down his target.

He appeared uncomfortable when asked to go through his progressions.  When his first read wasn't open, he would force the ball or take too long to find an open target.

Tannehill is still an intriguing prospect.  NFL teams will see his physical abilities while also recognizing his lack of experience.  Tannehill would be a decent third-round selection but should not be considered in the first-round discussion.  He would be best served to land on a team with an aging veteran.  This would allow him to continue his development.