The Russell Street Report NFL Draft position preview series continues along, this time focusing on the crop of quarterbacks.
Though perhaps not considered a draft possibility for the Baltimore Ravens until recently, now it appears the organization may use one of its eight picks to upgrade the backup quarterback situation, after three underwhelming years from Tyrod Taylor.
Head coach John Harbaugh hasn’t deflected the idea, and has acknowledged the need for competition for Taylor, and the former Hokie knows it.
The Ravens – barring anything unforeseen – wont bring in competition for Taylor until either the third day of the draft or during the undrafted free agent signing period, so only prospects with a chance of being available from round four on are profiled below.
TYROD TAYLOR MOLD
Connor Shaw, South Carolina – A quick, shifty quarterback who maneuvered the pocket well in college similar to Taylor, Shaw provides much more upside in the passing game, and could be an upgrade over Taylor while still providing the same tendencies. Ideally – while often considered by many as the opposite of what a backup quarterback should be – the Ravens need a backup who is completely different than Joe Flacco. If Flacco were to suffer an injury, the Ravens would already be in dire straights. Why not at least have someone with running ability, to provide a change of pace? Shaw provides that, with fairly consistent passing tendencies.
Tajh Boyd, Clemson – He may be maxed out as a player, with few parts of his game that appear likely to improve drastically in the coming years, but what Boyd is right now is similar to Taylor. He isn’t the quick athlete with the second gear to be a true running threat, but Boyd’s pocket movement and short area running ability make him a threat on the ground, and his short-to-intermediate accuracy makes him a potentially dependable backup option.
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JOE FLACCO MOLD
Zach Mettenberger, LSU – Where he will get drafted seems to be a complete tossup at this point, but if available on the third day of the draft, he may be of interest to the Ravens, if they are in search of a quarterback similar to Flacco. Mettenberger is a tall, well-built, stand-in-the-pocket thrower with above average arm strength, but coming off an ACL injury, his already minimal pocket movement will be almost non-existent in the NFL. He’s a statue in the pocket with a slow-to-process mental makeup (almost Tebow-like at times), but the arm and similarity to Flacco make him an intriguing possibility.
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IDEAL BACKUP, SOLID SPOT STARTER
Aaron Murray, Georgia – Like Mettenberger, Murray is coming off an ACL injury, but his athleticism was adequate enough during college that he figures to still have pocket maneuverability in the NFL. Ranking near the top of the class in anticipation, Murray has average arm strength but desirable pocket movement and a feel for what’s around him. If healthy, Murray has starter potential when given the chance, but ideally possesses the qualities of a long-term backup, given the adequate but more-to-be-desired arm, inconsistent decision making and the fact his lack of size does often affect his game, unlike some other smaller quarterbacks.
David Fales, San Jose State – Calm and consistent footwork in the pocket, consistent in decision-making and above average accuracy. All of the qualities needed to be a dependable backup in the NFL, and all qualities that Fales possesses. He doesn’t have the arm to be a downfield passer consistently at the next level, though, but think Matt Flynn: a reliable intermediate passer, who is a quality backup and sufficient spot starter when necessary. Fales can handle that role in the NFL.
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PROJECT QUARTERBACK
Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech – Considered more of an athlete than quarterback, Thomas possesses plenty of translatable traits as a passer to allow him to stick in the league at his current position. He has a consistent deep ball, a rope of an arm, and all of the physical traits necessary. Thomas also compares most favorably as an athlete to Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham (yes, really), but his underrated passing ability makes him a viable developmental option that could pay off. A true hit or miss prospect, but one that would be fun to see in Baltimore because of the boom-or-bust factor.
Stephen Morris, Miami – Entering the 2013 season with a chance to build off an impressive end to his 2012 campaign, Morris completely bombed the senior circuit, showing no signs of development, and only further expanding on the already present questions about his decision making. His arm strength though, which is at the top of this year’s class, gives him hope for development, and if he can hone his skills and learn to not be the erratic passer he was last season, Morris’ arm alone will allow him to stick in the NFL. He’s one of the most athletic quarterbacks in this year’s class, too, and one of the fastest, but his NFL potential completely rides on the mental makeup, and whether or not head can catch up to his physical traits.
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Would you like to see the Ravens bring in competition for Taylor?
If so, is there a certain quarterback prospect you’d like to see in Baltimore?
