PLAYER RANKINGS OFFENSE
ROUND 1
ROUND 2
ROUND 3
ROUND 4
ROUND 5
ROUND 6
ROUND 7
QB
PERUSING THE POCKET FOR THIS YEAR'S Derek Carr TO CARVE UP COVERAGE
1 JARED GOFF
California (6'4", 215 lbs.) 4,719 yards / 43 TDs / 13 INTs
Goff's feet and release are as quick as any quarterback's in this class, giving him the ability to snap off a pass in a split second. That trait allows him to slide the pocket, reset and still throw accurately downfield. There is zip on his deliveries, too—enough so that Goff shows confidence firing into tight windows.
CONCERNS
Accuracy fluctuates, especially rolling out. Almost no experience under center.
NFL COMP
Teddy Bridgewater
2 CARSON WENTZ
N. Dakota St. (6'5", 237 lbs.) 1,651 yards / 17 TDs / 4 INTs
He looks the part of an NFL quarterback, with size and height. He sounds it, too: Wentz has a composed, confident personality that should benefit him at the next level. He throws a beautiful ball, often fitting passes into teeny spaces. He's a talented play-action QB who worked both under center and out of the shotgun.
CONCERNS
Can he pull off the FCS-to-NFL jump? Must be more consistent when throwing downfield.
NFL COMP
Ben Roethlisberger
3 PAXTON LYNCH
Memphis (6'7", 244 lbs.) 3,776 yards / 28 TDs / 4 INTs
His offense featured plenty of one-read-and-out passes, but Lynch is most impressive—and looks the most like an NFL QB—when he gets out of the pocket. His athleticism allows him to escape trouble; when he does, he keeps his eyes downfield, looking for receivers. Physically, he fits the NFL QB mold.
CONCERNS
Proper footwork comes and goes. Played in a very QB-friendly offense.
NFL COMP
Alex Smith
4 CONNOR COOK
Michigan State (6'4", 217 lbs.) 3,131 yards / 24 TDs / 7 INTs
Cook is a proven QB from a winning program and pro-style system. A right-shoulder injury limited him late in 2015, but when he's healthy, he has a gun. He's not afraid to give his WRs a chance; many of his big plays came against tight, one-on-one coverage.
CONCERNS
Middling completion percentage over three years. Potential character red flags.
NFL COMP
Carson Palmer
5 DAK PRESCOTT
Mississippi St. (6'2", 226 lbs.) 3,793 yards / 29 TDs / 5 INTs
Prescott improved enough as a passer in '15 to jump from a borderline-draftable talent to a possible Day 2 pick. He has a long way to go from here, but his combination of a quick release and an ability to read a defense gives him upside. Everyone is aware of his running ability: He's no fun to tackle in the open field.
CONCERNS
Long-term project as a passer. DUI arrest in March; due in court this month.
NFL COMP
Chase Daniel
6 VERNON ADAMS JR.
Oregon (5'11", 200 lbs.) 2,643 yards / 26 TDs / 6 INTs
An academic issue delayed Adams's arrival as an FCS transfer last fall, then he broke a finger on his throwing hand; that dimmed his hype. But he was outstanding down the stretch, shredding the competition at the Shrine Game. Adams is most dangerous improvising when a play breaks down; he can throw from a variety of angles and tests all areas of the field.
CONCERNS
Well below desired QB size. Playmaker mentality leads to avoidable mistakes.
NFL COMP
Russell Wilson
7 CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG
Penn State (6'4", 223 lbs.) 2,525 yards / 16 TDs / 6 INTs
The trick in drafting Hackenberg is to try to block out all that went wrong over the past two seasons and focus on his promise. He still has the size that NFL teams covet, and he can throw darts, both short and downfield, when he's given time. His best days came in '13, under current Texans coach Bill O'Brien, in a pro-style attack.
CONCERNS
Does he have any confidence left? He shows little touch or consistency.
NFL COMP
Ryan Mallett
8 CARDALE JONES
Ohio State (6'5", 253 lbs.) 1,460 yards / 8 TDs / 5 INTs
The entire football world saw the positives of Jones's game when he led Ohio State to the national championship in '15. There are not many guys his size with rocket arms out there. Jones creates huge plays with the deep ball and can frustrate pass rushes by escaping trouble.
CONCERNS
Very limited experience as a starter. Bails out rather than going through his progressions.
NFL COMP
Logan Thomas
9 KEVIN HOGAN
Stanford (6'3", 218 lbs.) 2,867 yards / 27 TDs / 8 INTs
Aiming to gamble on a high-ceiling QB project? Look elsewhere. Hogan is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get pick: He's an intelligent leader with an impressive college résumé; he can move and throw, diagnosing defenses on the fly; and he can cause damage with his feet, as a scrambler or in the read-option.
CONCERNS
Elongated passing motion must be sped up. Ugly footwork often leads to ducks.
NFL COMP
Austin Davis
10 BRANDON ALLEN
Arkansas (6'1", 217 lbs.) 3,440 yards / 30 TDs / 8 INTs
While there's not a whole lot of flash in Allen's game, he has an extensive background (34 straight starts) in a pro-style system. He doesn't take unnecessary chances; he is content living with what's he's presented. His best fit would be in an offense with play-actions and rollouts built in—he thrives in those situations.
CONCERNS
Shy about pulling the trigger deep. Short for a QB, with small hands (87/8").
NFL COMP
Brian Hoyer
Top 40 time at combine JEFF DRISKEL, La. Tech 4.56
2015 FBS passing yards leader BRANDON DOUGHTY, Western Kentucky 5,055
PHOTO
ROGELIO V. SOLIS/AP
PHOTO
MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP (HOGAN)
PHOTO
GENE J. PUSKAR/AP (HACKENBERG)
ILLUSTRATION
