Big Blue Huddle

As I watched these games yesterday , it is apparent that in today's football , a QB must be able to escape the pocket, run for yardage , and be able to throw on the run. From what I have been reading Sanders is not that kind of QB . Ward probably is and Milroe has the potential although presently he is not an adequate passer to meet NFL standards.

Quote from: Brooklyn Dave on January 27, 2025, 03:53:23 AMAs I watched these games yesterday , it is apparent that in today's football , a QB must be able to escape the pocket, run for yardage , and be able to throw on the run. From what I have been reading Sanders is not that kind of QB . Ward probably is and Milroe has the potential although presently he is not an adequate passer to meet NFL standards.

I think of it as a tool.  Is it necessary?  No, but if it's not in your QB, then you need to have a great OL.  Look no farther than Eli.  With a great OL, he did well.  With bad OLs and no escapability on his part, he did poorly.

I prefer a mobile QB but someone who uses his mobility to pass first then run however he can also be used on designed QB runs.

I'm advocating for this. Being able to navigate a crumbling pocket. Daniel Jones was not good at all doing this as he seemly needed a clean pocket to operate.

What I want from my next QB :
-Check for read 1 or read 2.
-Flush out of the pocket (need to be able to "feel" the pressure)
-While flushing out, look for another read or checkdown.
-Decide quickly if throw or run

Drew Lock has some flashes of this, but we need someone who can do all of this on a consistent basis.

A triple threat has to be put in place. On any given play, the defense has to respect the QB rush, the QB pass and the RB rush. We already have a potent RB for this, all we need is the QB.

Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the top QBs, per PFF


QB1. Cameron Ward, Miami (FL)
Big board rank: 17

Strengths:
• True sidearm release that is David Carr-esque
• Experienced and successful middle-of-field passer
• "Never say die" type of playmaker with good escapability
• Adequate arm strength for the NFL level
• Impressive and natural touch passer

Weaknesses:
• Holds the ball below the shoulders in his stance, which makes for a longer release
• Side arm release is exotic but feels too varied throw-to-throw
• Accuracy numbers are high, but that is more due to volume; true ball placement isn't consistent
• Ball security (fumbling) needs to improve

QB2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Big board rank: 43

Strengths:
• Strong, wide base with good size in the lower half to generate throwing power from his legs
• Repeatable, fundamentally sound throwing motion (high release point helps make up for smaller height)
• Good zip on passes within 25 yards
• Mental and physical toughness to step up and take a hit while delivering a throw
• Good feel/anticipation for attacking zone
• Slippery in the backfield despite lack of mobility
• Not afraid to look backside of the formation on scrambles

Weaknesses:
• Ball speed can die on him in the air beyond 40 yards
• Release speed is average-to-below-average
• Arm strength is average for NFL standards
• Doesn't always finish throwing motion across the body
• Below-average mobility (high sack rate)

QB3. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Big board rank: 69

Strengths:
• Quick movements for fast releases
• Quick footwork in the pocket to avoid pressure and throw in a split-second
• Does not panic under pressure
• Knows how to get through his progressions, even under duress

Weaknesses:
• Lefty quarterback, which can be fine but is also an adjustment for some receivers
• Wide leg kick leads to open hips and compromised accuracy on quick throws
• Height will make middle-of-the-field throws a challenge in the NFL
• True arm strength is below average for the NFL
• Mobility is adequate for college but won't be as effective vs. NFL speed

QB4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Big board rank: 70

Strengths:
• Not just escapability but a true dual-threat athlete
• Good enough athlete to force missed tackles in space
• Twitchy athleticism evident in throwing motion speed
• Can show really nice touch/accuracy on deep passes
• Experienced RPO quarterback

Weaknesses:
• Accuracy/decision-making variance is large right now — plenty of highlight plays but also plenty of regrettable ones
• Holds the ball low and loose in his stance
• Accuracy can dip when he takes speed off his throw for shorter distances
• Can struggle seeing non-primary defenders
• Time to throw/sacks taken is far too high, even for "you take the bad with the good."

QB5. QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Big board rank: 98

Scouting notes coming soon!

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-rankings-quarterback

To the title of the thread, there are really two traits that can work

1)  Great pocket awareness and ability to navigate the pocket- QB can often buy all the time they need by simply stepping up in the pocket or stepping to the right or the left.  Those subtle movements are often overlooked, but they are critical and effective in buying time.  If a QB has this trait, they will have much less of a need to be running around.

2)  The ability to either scramble behind the line-of-scrimmage or the ability to run with the ball and make defenses pay for sloppy rushing-  As referenced by this thread, the ability to scramble and throw on the run or just run with the ball can be highly effective in keeping an offense going.

@MightyGiants - can you post the S&W for Dart as well? I know you're a fan and I'd like to see him added to these comparisons. Thanks

Quote from: T200 on January 27, 2025, 08:37:16 AM@MightyGiants - can you post the S&W for Dart as well? I know you're a fan and I'd like to see him added to these comparisons. Thanks

Tim,

This is all that PFF currently has available.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 27, 2025, 08:38:00 AMTim,

This is all that PFF currently has available.

Hopefully they'll put out something on him. Others are high on him as well so it'd be nice to see the comparisons together. Thanks for checking.