When analyzing college talent at the quarterback position, both the objective (data and statistics) and subjective (eye-ball test) must be considered in order to rank the players. Because of the many different offensive systems and level of talent among opponents in the NCAA, touchdown passes and passing yards do not necessarily provide acumen into the player’s long-term NFL potential. Instead, Games, Completion Percentage and Yards per Attempt provide enhanced insight in order to evaluate the signal callers. Of course, any assessment must include watching the player perform in games and on tape, and consider their physical measurables (height and weight). Based on the criteria, the top-five field generals in the 2014 draft are listed below.

Benchmark College Stats for 1st Round Consideration
Games: Over 30
Completion Percentage: 65%
Yards per Attempt: 8.0

2014 Quarterback Draft Prospects

An above-average draft class this year; however, the number of teams in desperate need of a franchise signal caller may propel a few of the competitors to be selected higher than their talent and long-term potential warrant.


1. Blake Bortles, UCF

2013 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. A debatable top prospect at the position despite prototypical size (6’5” and 232 lbs.). Tossed 56 career touchdowns against only 19 interceptions and scored 15 times on the ground. Big hands and vigorous frame. Solid football aptitude and makes good decisions. Athletic and runs for yardage when necessary. Scrambles with eyes downfield, looking for an open receiver. Accurate thrower on short and intermediate routes. Above-average arm strength on deep passes. Great pocket presence and remains calm despite a fierce pass rush. Strong leadership and toughness. Orchestrated game-winning drive against undefeated Louisville—with Teddy Bridgewater—on the road last season. As a thrower, elongated delivery whose mechanics and footwork breakdown at times. Fumbled too often and must amend ball security issues. Very good combine and pro day opened eyes of scouts and fans. Not as polished as other prospects and may need time to develop at the next level. Vast upside potential; however, a good system with a QB guru would accelerate development. Compares most favorably to Ben Roethlisberger. One club will certainly fancy his potential among the first ten picks of the draft.

Key Career Stats: Bortles
Games: 37 (22-5 record past two seasons)
Completion Percentage: 66.7%
Yards per Attempt: 8.5

Best Performances in 2013: @ Penn State, @ Louisville, UConn, @ Temple and Baylor (Fiesta Bowl)

Draft Potential: First-round talent

2. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

2012 Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Most-NFL prepared signal caller available in May. One of the best triggerman in the nation last year, completing an outstanding 71.0% of his passes. Hard worker with tremendous self-assurance and poise. Embraces the leadership role on the team. Athletic with good footwork, runs when necessary and accurate throwing the football. Slight build, but great mechanics. Makes calls at the line of scrimmage and works progressions in the pocket. Prodigious touch passer on intermediate throws in the middle of the defense. Unfazed by the blitz and moves the chains under pressure. Manipulates defenders with his eyes. Started as a true freshman and some scouts reminded of Russell Wilson in terms of leadership and poise. While completing 68.4% of his passes in three seasons, hurled 72 career touchdowns and passed for nearly 10,000 yards. Does not always throw a perfect spiral and low release point may present problems against NFL linemen. Not a dynamic running threat. Did not face elite competition at Louisville. For talent evaluators, disappointing pro day raised red flags. Wore gloves throughout college, but threw bare handed in March. Could it have affected his performance? Capable of starting on the first day of training camp and should upgrade one of the sorrowful passing attacks in the league.

Key Career Stats: Bridgewater
Games: 39 (23-3 record past two seasons)
Completion Percentage: 68.4%
Yards per Attempt: 8.6

Best Performances in 2013: Ohio, FIU, @SFL, @ Cincinnati and Miami (Citrus Bowl)

Draft Potential: First-round talent



3. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

2012 Heisman winner as a redshirt freshman. Dramatically improved pocket play last season. On the small side and questions abound about his ability to absorb hits at the next level. Prodigious scrambler and playmaker. Sensational straight-line speed with excellent vision. Accurate passer while avoiding the rush. A free lancer and gambler who pulls the ball down sometimes too early during pass plays. Highly competitive with better work ethic than public believes after off-the-field issues. A cocky performer who wants to become the face of a franchise. Processes information quickly and a very instinctive player. Over 2,100 yards rushing and 30 TDs during his collegiate career. Ran a spectacular 4.68 40-yard dash at Scouting Combine. Does not move the chains from the pocket: Terrible performances against LSU and Missouri. Must improve mechanics, and at times, does not drive the football off his back foot while throwing. Needs to dissect progressions better before running. Operates like a young Randall Cunningham, who relied on his legs throughout his time in Philadelphia. Must avoid paralyzing hits at the next level. Rejoined the conversation as the top signal caller in the draft class after a monster pro day. Can a coach trust him on the field? Is he a celebrity—aka “Johnny Football”—or an NFL field general? Opinions vary on long-term potential in the NFL, and general mangers will have different perspectives of his style of play at the next level.

Key Career Stats: Manziel
Games: 26 (20-6 record)
Completion Percentage: 68.9%
Yards per Attempt: 9.1

Best Performances in 2013: Alabama, @ Mississippi, Auburn, Mississippi State, Duke (Chick-fil-A Bowl)

Draft Potential: First-round talent



4. Derek Carr, Fresno State

Named the 2012 & 2013 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Top-shelf arm strength and makes all the throws. Understands the aerial attack and throws into tight windows with velocity. More athletic than fans assume, clocking a 4.69 40 at the NFL Combine. Underrated pocket presence and keeps eyes downfield. Reads coverage well and studies film. During his career, passed for nearly 13,000 yards, tossed 113 touchdowns and was intercepted only 24 times on 1,630 throws. In 2013, hurled 50 TD passes and completed nearly 69% of his passes. Dislikes a muddier pocket and defenders in face disrupts mechanics. Needs to improve footwork and dances at times. When confronted by pressure, will throw off back foot, relying on arm strength. Not a scrambler but has escape-ability instincts. At Fresno, orchestrated an up-tempo, short-passing game out of the shotgun and did not throw deep often. Possibly, the perfect prospect to be tutored by a quarterback sage like Norv Turner. A long-term project who needs to be built from the ground up. Ideally, would benefit from a year on the bench. Stock rising and possibly could be off the board at the conclusion of the first round.

Key Career Stats: Carr
Games: 39
Completion Percentage: 66.6%
Yards per Attempt: 7.9

Best Performances in 2013: Rutgers, Boise State, @ Idaho, New Mexico and @ San Jose State

Draft Potential: Second-round talent



5. Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois

2013 Walter Payton Award winner. Statistics jump off the page from last season in the FCS: passing for 5,050 yards, tossing 53 touchdowns, and surpassing 400 yards in five games. Broke all of Tony Romo’s passing records at school and comparisons are not unwarranted. Good size with an NFL-caliber arm and great release. Intelligent player who executes the game plan well. Can move with quick feet and keeps eyes downfield. Under pressure, makes smart and quick decisions with the pigskin. Lacks accuracy on underneath routes. Needs to learn how to take snaps under center. Four-year starter who did not face elite competition on a weekly basis. Impressed scouts during workouts at the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. Quickly ascending draft rankings after an impressive Scouting Combine performance. Could thrive with a couple of years coaching and watching on the sideline at the next level. Will the NFL stage be too enormous?

Key Career Stats: Garoppolo
Games: 44 (19-7 mark in ‘12 and ‘13 seasons)
Completion Percentage: 62.3%
Yards per Attempt: 7.9

Best Performances in 2013: Illinois State, @ Northern Illinois, @ Austin Peay, @ Tennessee State

Draft Potential: Second-round talent

The Top Ten Signal Callers:

6. Zach Mettenberger (LSU)

7. Aaron Murray (Georgia)

8. A.J. McCarron (Alabama)

9. Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech)

10. Brett Smith (Wyoming)