This year’s NFL Draft is not exactly a great QB class. As a matter of fact it’s quite poor. Still, there is some talent there. It’s just a matter of separating the real talent from desperation reaches. In this article we’ll be going over some of the biggest names in this year’s draft.

Top QB
Jameis Winston

Winston is far and away the best quarterback in this year’s draft. As a matter of fact, he’s really the only quarterback worthy of a first-round pick. The former Florida State Seminole has everything you look for in an NFL QB. He has a powerful arm and can make all the throws. Despite a miserable 40 time, he moves very well in the pocket and his big body makes him tough to bring down. He reads defenses well and goes through his progressions with great vision. As a National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner, Winston also has all the intangibles. He shines in the biggest moments with poise and toughness. Winston has also shown great leadership skills and commands his offense. Of course the one issue is off-field incidents. However, on the field, he has star potential.

Raw Talent
Brett Hundley

Physically, Hundley is the ideal NFL quarterback. He has an NFL frame with a powerful arm. There isn’t a throw on the field he can’t make or is afraid to make. His quick release coupled with his speed and elusiveness makes him very difficult to sack. The UCLA QB is also very good under pressure. He can escape the rush and keep his eyes down field to make an excellent throw, although at times he does turn to the run a bit too quickly. However, he is still very raw. Hundley is definitely a work in progress as an NFL quarterback. His college offense was simplified and he took the vast majority of his snaps out of the shotgun. Most of his reads are pre-snap and he doesn’t necessarily go through his progressions very well. He also needs to work on his anticipation on the next level.

Sleeper
Brandon Bridge

Bridge is very athletic with physical attributes similar to Colin Kaepernick. He’s tall and slim, nevertheless, he has the ability to break through arm tackles. His footwork is exceptional and he can make plays on the ground as well as through the air. What separates him from the majority of mobile quarterbacks is that he keeps his eyes downfield when he’s scrambling. He also has elite arm strength and a very speedy release. Bridge can make every throw and is not hesitant to sling it, even in tight windows. His accuracy isn’t fantastic but it is above average. He also has been advertised as a stout leader and tough kid.

He managed to battle through injury for a good portion of 2014 to be out there for his team. With that said, Bridge lacks experience. With only 12 starts in his college career, he is very raw and will need time to develop in to an NFL quarterback. The fact that he plays for South Alabama and doesn’t play in a major conference never helps either. He has decent, but not great, field vision. He could certainly use some work going through his progressions. Bridge tends to stare down his targets and leads defenders to the ball. While he has a rifle for an arm, he could stand to improve his touch passes. He needs to learn that not every pass needs to break his receiver’s fingers. Bridge will require some patience, nevertheless, has major potential and could be a steal on day three of the draft.

Biggest Bust
Bryce Petty

Petty has seen his stock unrightfully inflated thanks to a poor quarterback draft class and a strong need at the position by many teams. He has Browns QB written all over him. Petty has poor mechanics and accuracy issues. He also has a very inconsistent throwing motion and release point. His arm is far from elite and he was surrounded by playmakers in an already proven Baylor system, which is far from an NFL style scheme. He does not read defenses well at all and just locks in on one target. When under pressure, he crumbles. He cannot handle pressure in the sense of a pass rush or big moment. On the next level, he will be that guy that always makes that big mistake at the worst moment. It will not be difficult for defensive coordinators to trick him and force him to make errors. His skill set does not translate to the NFL. Petty cannot just skate by on athleticism and quick underneath passes against subpar competition on the next level.

Who’s trading up for Mariota?

The winner of the Marcus Mariota sweepstakes will be the Philadelphia Eagles. Chip Kelly will do whatever he can to get his guy. It is just too difficult to accept that his master plan ends with Sam Bradford. Here’s how I think he pulls this off. Kelly ships Bradford to Cleveland for the 19th pick in the draft. Then he trades up to the 14th pick with the Miami Dolphins. The Eagles will trade Mychal Kendricks and their 20th pick to Miami for their first and Dion Jordan. Evan Mathis and Jarrett Boykin could also somehow be worked in to this deal and Miami could want a third as well, but we’ll just focus on the first round for now. The Eagles will trade up in to the top five and will likely have to give up their two first round picks, a future first and a second. Chip Kelly will get his guy, the Browns for some reason want Bradford, Miami fills their need at inside linebacker and a team with a top five pick gets much-needed picks to fill multiple holes.