These are my notes I took from watching film of some of the QB's in this draft from their bowl games a few months back. I should've posted them before the draft but I forgot.
GENO SMITH, QB (West Virginia) 6'3", 220 lbs:
- Was asked to run a multiple offense, everything from pistol to traditional I to singleback.
Negatives:
- Slow release
- Happy feet in the pocket
- Shoddy footwork
- Dropback from under center is too slow and uncoordinated
- Doesn't do a good job of carrying out play-action fakes
- Very inaccurate on short throws (mostly footwork related + field conditions were bad)
- Poor mechanics on deep throws (caveat: field conditions)
Positives:
- Flashes good accuracy and strong arm on intermediate throws
- Plenty of army strength to make all the throws
Outlook: He has all the physical tools to be a starting QB in the NFL but he needs a lot of work on his footwork, mechanics, and field awareness. Most of his college throws were behind or within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage which inflate his stats a bit. Based purely on physical traits, he's a borderline first rounder. But add the coaching he needs, he shouldn't go before middle of the second round.
RYAN NASSIB, QB (Syracuse) 6'3", 230lbs:
- Was running a high tempo offense (mostly shotgun spread)
Negatives:
- Short, choppy drop back (but mostly due to field conditions)
- Inaccurate when rolling out of the pocket, usually high and outside
- Mediocre deep ball accuracy
- Arm strength on deep balls is suspect, evidenced by the height of his throws.
Positives:
- Quick, strong release
- True spiral on his throws
- Good footwork out of shotgun, consistent and he sets up very quickly to get rid of the ball
- Adequate arm strength to make all the throws in the NFL, but will need better mechanics on deep balls
Outlook: Overall he is a bit limited skill-wise but he is a very polished passer. His decision making needs to improve at the next level. His mechanics in the pocket and awareness are very good. Does a very good job of avoiding pressure and he maintained his level of play in the worst of conditions (rain/sleet/wind). He is the closest of this group to come in and start in the NFL but his upside is somewhat limited due to a limited skill set. He's best in a west coast offense.
EJ MANUEL, QB (Florida State) 6'5", 240lbs:
- Ran a no huddle, West Coast offense, mostly 3 to 5 step drops, and shotgun. Ran a good chunk of option plays as well.
Negatives:
- Poor pre-snap adjustments, needs work on varying snap count and making consistently proper sight adjustments
- Throws to his first look too often
Positives:
- Excellent footwork and patience on play action fakes
- Quick release at the top of his dropback and nice, tight spiral.
- Very athletic for a man his size
- Cool in the face of pressure, maintains composure and footwork and delivers the ball accurately
- Good touch on short/swing passes
- Plenty of arm strength to put zip on the football
- Extends plays with his feet well
- Accurate passer on the run to both sides of the field
Outlook: Easily the most gifted passer in this class. However, he is not as polished as some of the more experienced guys. He played behind Christian Ponder mostly due to lack of experience. He reminds me of a rawer Cam Newton. He's farther along than Geno Smith as a passer but still would benefit from sitting behind a veteran for at least half a season.
EJ Manuel ended up being a first round pick to the Bills; Geno Smith was a second round pick to the Jets; Ryan Nassib ended up with the Giants as a fourth round pick.
GENO SMITH, QB (West Virginia) 6'3", 220 lbs:
- Was asked to run a multiple offense, everything from pistol to traditional I to singleback.
Negatives:
- Slow release
- Happy feet in the pocket
- Shoddy footwork
- Dropback from under center is too slow and uncoordinated
- Doesn't do a good job of carrying out play-action fakes
- Very inaccurate on short throws (mostly footwork related + field conditions were bad)
- Poor mechanics on deep throws (caveat: field conditions)
Positives:
- Flashes good accuracy and strong arm on intermediate throws
- Plenty of army strength to make all the throws
Outlook: He has all the physical tools to be a starting QB in the NFL but he needs a lot of work on his footwork, mechanics, and field awareness. Most of his college throws were behind or within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage which inflate his stats a bit. Based purely on physical traits, he's a borderline first rounder. But add the coaching he needs, he shouldn't go before middle of the second round.
RYAN NASSIB, QB (Syracuse) 6'3", 230lbs:
- Was running a high tempo offense (mostly shotgun spread)
Negatives:
- Short, choppy drop back (but mostly due to field conditions)
- Inaccurate when rolling out of the pocket, usually high and outside
- Mediocre deep ball accuracy
- Arm strength on deep balls is suspect, evidenced by the height of his throws.
Positives:
- Quick, strong release
- True spiral on his throws
- Good footwork out of shotgun, consistent and he sets up very quickly to get rid of the ball
- Adequate arm strength to make all the throws in the NFL, but will need better mechanics on deep balls
Outlook: Overall he is a bit limited skill-wise but he is a very polished passer. His decision making needs to improve at the next level. His mechanics in the pocket and awareness are very good. Does a very good job of avoiding pressure and he maintained his level of play in the worst of conditions (rain/sleet/wind). He is the closest of this group to come in and start in the NFL but his upside is somewhat limited due to a limited skill set. He's best in a west coast offense.
EJ MANUEL, QB (Florida State) 6'5", 240lbs:
- Ran a no huddle, West Coast offense, mostly 3 to 5 step drops, and shotgun. Ran a good chunk of option plays as well.
Negatives:
- Poor pre-snap adjustments, needs work on varying snap count and making consistently proper sight adjustments
- Throws to his first look too often
Positives:
- Excellent footwork and patience on play action fakes
- Quick release at the top of his dropback and nice, tight spiral.
- Very athletic for a man his size
- Cool in the face of pressure, maintains composure and footwork and delivers the ball accurately
- Good touch on short/swing passes
- Plenty of arm strength to put zip on the football
- Extends plays with his feet well
- Accurate passer on the run to both sides of the field
Outlook: Easily the most gifted passer in this class. However, he is not as polished as some of the more experienced guys. He played behind Christian Ponder mostly due to lack of experience. He reminds me of a rawer Cam Newton. He's farther along than Geno Smith as a passer but still would benefit from sitting behind a veteran for at least half a season.
EJ Manuel ended up being a first round pick to the Bills; Geno Smith was a second round pick to the Jets; Ryan Nassib ended up with the Giants as a fourth round pick.
