With the Senior Bowl going on right now, it’s the talk of the NFL (if your team isn’t playing anymore) and the NFL draft community. The stars of tomorrow are showing their stuff on the North and South teams this week in Mobile, Alabama. Mike Smith and the Falcons are coaching the North team while Gus Bradley and the Jaguars coach the South team.
All eyes are on the quarterbacks this week for many, as they usually are. Teams are in hot pursuit of the face of their franchise if they don’t have it yet, and many teams want a project quarterback or just a quality backup. Six quarterbacks are in Mobile this week, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, David Fales, Logan Thomas, Tajh Boyd, and Stephen Morris. Some of these quarterbacks need to have a strong week to show teams that they’re draftable, and others could go in the first or second round. Here’s how the six stack up in my eyes.
6. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
Some thought he could make the jump from the supersized athlete he is into a quality quarterback while at Virginia Tech but that never came to be. Thomas cannot make all the throws needed at the next level and his decision making is questionable. His career could be spent at tight end in the NFL.
5. Stephen Morris, Miami (F)
Morris struggles throwing the football accurately and didn’t take a big step from his junior to senior years. He’s a project at the next level and that’s how he’ll get drafted. He won’t be relied on to be the primary backup at first so he’s likely to end up on a practice squad at the next level.
4. Tajh Boyd, Clemson
Chances he throws 50% of his passes as screens at the next level? Willing to bet they aren’t good. Boyd struggles throwing the football, and may have been held back by the offense at Clemson. He’s likely to be a late round pick as another project quarterback.
3. David Fales, San Jose State
Fales struggled early on in his senior season but eventually turned it around. Fales will be knocked because of the system he played in and the competition he played against, understandably too. He’ll be a safe bet as a backup at first but he’ll likely need some time to adjust to the faster pace of the game.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois
Garoppolo will really need to impress this week since he is the only quarterback from a division II school. He needs to show that he has what it takes against some of the best college football has to offer. The jump for a division II quarterback to the NFL is huge, but the senior bowl is a stepping stone which he hopefully makes the most of.
1. Derek Carr, Fresno State
A legit top five player, Carr has all the skills needed in the NFL. He’s reportedly been very impressive so far. He’s making the extra effort with a few receivers by staying after and continuing to throw. Carr will make a name for himself quickly once he’s in the NFL, and casual fans won’t see him as David’s little brother. Carr is the real deal.