OVERVIEW
Robert Griffin III played well in 2010, but 2011 was the season in which he burst onto the college football scene in an explosive way. In a memorable Heisman Trophy-winning campaign, Griffin threw 37 TD passes and led Baylor to a 10-win season. Now, as the NFL Combine and Draft approach, Griffin is being mentioned as among the two best Quarterback prospects that will be available on April 26th. Below is a quick evaluation of RG III, as well as the potential fit he could be with a couple of NFL teams.
A look at some of the pros and cons of Griffin as an NFL prospect:
PLUS SIDE
Velocity – Griffin delivers the ball with a good deal of rotation and speed. When coupled with accuracy (RG III completed 72.4% of his passes in ’11), this always translates well in the NFL.
Pocket Movement – For a QB that seems to enjoy open-field running as much as Griffin does, he is remarkably skilled at lateral and up-and-back movement, which creates throwing lanes in the pocket. This trait can be invaluable in extending NFL shelf life for a Quarterback.
Eyes – There were many times that protection breakdowns or solid coverage forced Griffin to be flushed from a natural pocket during his fourth college season. These scenarios gave RG III the opportunity to demonstrate superior ability to see downfield when under duress. Maintaining full-field vision while on the move is a championship-level attribute.
DOWN SIDE
Physical Frame – As much as Griffin appears willing to be patient and seek open receivers, he possesses an amazing ability to produce excitement and positive yardage as a rusher. This capability can often prove itself to be a health hazard in the NFL – especially for a QB like Griffin, who has a somewhat lanky and lean frame by NFL standards.
Several teams have been mentioned as potential destinations for RG III. Below is a take on two of the teams most widely rumored to have interest in Griffin:
Cleveland Browns
Good Fit? – Maybe
The Reason – Identifying Griffin as a possible fit for Cleveland may surprise many, but RG III’s ability to deliver the ball to the open receiver quickly suits the Browns’ horizontal passing game. This accuracy would be welcomed by a Browns team that completed too few passes in 2011, and the basic structure of Cleveland’s West Coast Offense may be a boon to Griffin’s health as well – presenting less opportunity for RG III to be off and running.
Washington Redskins
Good Fit? – Yes
The Reason – Griffin would bring a dynamic element to Mike Shanahan’s offense that was sorely lacking in 2010 and 2011. Most notable among Washington’s failures have been poor pass completion percentages and an inability to throw the ball deep with accuracy – both of which were strengths of Griffin’s at the college level. Shanahan has proven himself a professional capable of utilizing the skill sets of his offensive weapons, and RG III would present him with possibly the greatest potential of any rookie he has ever coached.
