2015 NFL Combine Results: Quarterbacks

When it comes to Quarterbacks at the NFL Combine, NFL teams are looking for a whole lot more than numbers. Sure it’s great to see a QB that has some scrambling ability and even some elusiveness but those are far down on the priority list for this position. The biggest factors in selecting a QB are arm strength, throwing motion, throwing mechanics, ability to read and adjust to the defense and overall personality. The interview process of QB’s is as important these days as it is for potential general managers and head coaches.

We have seen so many QB’s over the years with enormous skills that are complete busts immediately upon putting on that NFL jersey. Remember how many people had Ryan Leaf ahead of Peyton Manning? Leaf had an amazing arm and far more overall athletic ability but Manning has turned out to be one of if not the greatest NFL QB of all time. How about the praise of how far JaMarcus Russell could throw the ball and with such little effort? That turned out well for the Raiders now didn’t it? I don’t think they have recovered yet from that selection back in 2007.

So what can we derive from the QB workouts at the NFL combine? Since we are not privy to Wonderlic test results, interview notes or MRI’s (yes they actually MRI these guys bodies and even brains sometimes) all we have to go with are the raw skill sets.

The most important factor for a QB making it and being successful at the NFL level is height. Yeah, pretty simple right? But think about it for a minute. How many undersized QB’s are tearing up the NFL year after year? Heck, how many undersized QB’s are even starters at the NFL level?

The answer is two. Just two QB’s who were primary starters last season were under 6’2” tall. Those two were Russell Wilson (5’11”) and Drew Brees (6’0”). In fact you can go back through the history books and find almost no diminutive QB’s who won passing titles, MVP’s, Super Bowls or even fantasy championships.

Here is a breakdown of how the top QB’s in this year’s draft measured up:

As you can see the majority of QB’s even being evaluated here are over six foot two inches tall. The two big names in Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and Florida State’s Jameis Winston are both above the fold standing in at a solid 6’4”. Blake Sims of Alabama and Anthony Boone both are clearly undersized and neither deserve much if any draft consideration in my opinion.

We mentioned that NFL QB’s are becoming quicker each and every year. Well, QB’s are also bonafide run threats these days and thus we need to factor in not just their athleticism but how fast they can run both straight line and in scrambling situations.

Here are the Quarterback results for the 40 yard dash:

Here are the Quarterback results for the 3 cone drill:

This is where Oregon’s Marcus Mariota clearly outclasses the competition. He has shown dramatic running ability in college and by the results of his times here is clearly the best athlete in this class. Many coaches and personnel people said they were very impressed with Mariota’s interviews and personality makeup. When you sort through the raw numbers here and factor in the distinctive differences in personalities and off the field issues between the two top rated QB’s (Mariota and Jameis Winston), to me there is a clear winner.

Among the rest of the group here I am not sure if there is a single one that can make it even as a direct backup at the NFL level. Sure, every year you hear about this QB and that QB who are small school guys that can handle the grind and pressure of the NFL but few of them ever really pan out. Guys like Brett Hundley and Bryce Petty are the most intriguing of the “others” and I suppose that you could put Bryan Bennett in the mix as well.

Overall I am simply not impressed with this QB class whatsoever. Marcus Mariota is the only real hope for any NFL teams in desperate need of a franchise QB. Jameis Winston is a much, much better version of Johnny Manziel but his off the field troubles won’t get better once he has a ton of money and NFL fame. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures and if I am the Titans or the Rams I just might have to make that pick and pray to God that it works out in my favor. 

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