NFL Draft 2014 Preview (4 page)

Ht: 6-1 7/8 | Wt: 213 | Sp: 4.63 | Arm: 32 3/4 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
The Miami native stayed home for college and saw action in six games, starting the final four contests, as a true freshman in 2010. Completed 82-of-153 passes for 1,240 yards (53.6 percent) with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Played in five games (started against Maryland) and threw for 26-37-283-0-2 (70.3) in ’11. Had back surgery after the season and missed ’12 spring practice. Earned the starting job in the fall and posted 245-421-3,345-21-7 (58.2) in 12 starts. Set the school’s single-season total offense record with 3,415 yards, breaking Bernie Kosar’s 1984 record (3,412). Set the ACC record with 566 passing yards against NC State. Started all 13 contests in ’13, throwing for 198-344-3,028-21-12 (57.6). Became only the second QB in school history with multiple 3,000-yard seasons (Gino Torretta). Two-time team captain. Finished 17-13 in 30 career starts under three offensive coordinators — Mark Whipple (2010), Jedd Fisch (2011-12) and James Coley (2013).

Strengths:
Very good arm strength and athletic ability. Can move around the pocket and buy extra time. Throws with velocity and can rifle the ball into tight spots. Can drill back-shoulder throws. Can adapt his arm and throwing platform and release it from a variety of angles under duress with ease. Has natural leadership traits.

Weaknesses:
Average overall size with a relatively thin build. Sporadic accuracy. Sprays the ball and struggles to hit receivers in stride (best with stationary targets). Does not throw his receivers open. Marginal timing, anticipation and rhythm. Struggles to handle pressure and presses to create plays — eyes drop to the rush very quickly and vacates the pocket prematurely. Makes too many head-scratching decisions. Birddogs his primary target and will force the ball. Career 57.7 completion percentage is indicative of inaccuracy at all layers even with a clean pocket. Makes his receivers consistently work for the ball.

Future:
Was forced to cycle through three offenses in four years at the helm and never grew comfortable as a passer. Teases evaluators with his arm and athletic talent, but must prove he can hone his accuracy and decision-making. Has moldable talent for a backup role and enough raw tools to pique the interest of a patient, quarterbacks coach. Will require a strong offensive line and a full supporting cast of weapons to function. Developmental talent.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has the best arm talent of anyone in the Southeast. He has starter arm-strength. His accuracy is bad. He won’t come into a game and win for you because of his accuracy issues. He has developmental possibilities. If you take him too high, he will disappoint you. The bottom of (the) fourth round) is the right resting spot for me for what we are looking for. I know other teams have him as a free agent. I just think he has some talent to work with. Instead of letting the game flow, he presses and tries to create too much and it forces him into a lot of bad decisions and leads to critical interceptions.”

QB AARON MURRAY, #11

georgia
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Grade: 5.17

Ht: 6-0 1/2 | Wt: 207 | Sp: 4.85e | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
The Florida prep was a Parade and U.S. Army All-American in addition to being named Mr. Football as a junior. Suffered a broken left fibula early in his senior season but returned to lead the team to a 4A state championship. Enrolled at Georgia in the spring of 2009 and redshirted in the fall. Named team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in ’10 after completing 209-of-342 passes for 3,049 yards (61.1 percent) with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 starts. Made all 14 starts in ’11 and recorded 238-403-3,149-35-14 (59.1). Graduated in May ’12. Had a record-setting fall by recording school marks for passing yards and touchdown passes with 249-386-3,893-36-10 (64.5) in 14 starts. Finished his stellar four-year career by tossing 225-347-3,075-26-9 (64.8) in 11 starts before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee against Kentucky. Is the only QB in SEC history to throw for more 3,000 yards in all four seasons and is the conference’s career record holder in touchdowns (121) and passing yards (13,166). Was a two-time Academic All-American and named the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Two-time team captain. Had 16 career rushing touchdowns and went 35-17 in 52 starts. Did not perform at the Combine because of knee injury.

Strengths:
Has a quick release and is light enough on his feet to escape the first wave and make some plays on the move. Solid decision-maker — takes what the defense gives him. Fine short-to-intermediate accuracy. Good intangibles. Encouraging team leader with a likeable personality. Leads by example. Serves well as the face of the program. Outstanding work ethic. Is very intelligent and football smart. Experienced, four-year starter in the SEC.

Weaknesses:
Short and short-armed with a low release point that leads to batted balls. Very small-framed with a thin waist and a body that is not built to withstand the punishment that comes in the pocket. Average arm talent. Has to set his feet and everything needs to be perfect to function well. Could stand to improve his footwork. Marginal deep-ball accuracy — tends to overstride and forces receivers to adjust. Many passes are pre-determined and often throws to spots. Loses poise under duress and can be rattled easily by pressure. Gets too jittery and anxious (overanalyzes) in big games and has a very low winning percentage vs. top-10 teams. Long-term durability is concerning.

Future:
Smallish, game-managing pocket passer still recovering from a torn ACL. Would benefit from a moving pocket that can create open throwing lanes, yet does not have the foot quickness desired for a rollout passing game. Possesses a skill set most ideally suited for a backup or No. 3 role in a dink-and-dunk offense. Intelligence, intangibles and experience are all pluses.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“Aaron Murray to me fits right in there with the Graham Harrell’s of the world. He’s a third quarterback because he is smart. He has all the records at Georgia because he started there as a freshman. This kid is everything you want intangibly. He’s a good college quarterback.”

QB bryn renner, #2

north carolina
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-3 1/4 | Wt: 228 | Sp: 4.87 | Arm: 30 3/8 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
His father, Bill, is a former punter for the Green Bay Packers (1986-87) and his sister, Summer, is a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. The Virginia prep was one of the top ranked quarterbacks in country while also playing basketball and baseball. Redshirted in 2009. Played in 15 games for the Tar Heels baseball team in the Spring ’10 before deciding to focus on football. Saw limited action in three games in the fall, completing 1-of-2 passes for 14 yards (50 percent) with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions as the backup to Texans 2011 fifth-rounder T.J. Yates. Took over as the starter in ’11 and threw for 239-350-3,086-26-13 (68.3) in 13 games. Left the NC State game with concussion-like symptoms. Broke his own school record for touchdown passes in ’12 after tossing 276-422-3,356-28-7 (65.4) in 12 starts. Was the first Tar Heel QB to reach 3,000 yards passing twice in a career. Had an injury-plagued senior campaign in ’13, posting 152-231-1,765-10-5 (65.8) in only seven starts. Missed the Virginia Tech game with a left foot injury. Left the NC State game with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury and missed the final five games. Had surgery on Nov. 6 to repair a torn labrum and a fractured scapula. Had an 18-14 record in 32 career games.

Strengths:
Sets up with balance. Clean three-quarters release. Can throw with timing and anticipation short-to-intermediate. Understands ball placement — tries to put throws where only his receivers can make a play. Flashes touch. Tough and competitive. Commands the huddle and shows good on-field demeanor. Three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal height. Arm strength is just functional — struggles to drive velocity throws on a line. Does not push the ball downfield often, and accuracy wanes when he does. Needs a clean pocket to have success — flustered when his rhythm is broken. Could stand to quicken his eyes. Tends to lock on and force throws into traffic. Slow-footed (not a scramble threat). Lacks ideal intangibles — judgment, intelligence and preparation should be checked out.

Future:
Renner waited his turn behind Texans 2011 fifth-round pick T.J. Yates, but did not show drastic improvement over the course of his career, which ended with season-ending left (non-throwing) shoulder surgery in early November. Renner, whose arm strength limits his ceiling, lacks exceptional physical traits and will have to compete for a job as a pocket-passing, short-to-intermediate clipboard holder.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

QB tom savage, #7

pittsburgh
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Grade: 5.21

Ht: 6-3 7/8 | Wt: 228 | Sp: 4.97 | Arm: 31 5/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
His brother, Bryan, was a quarterback for Wisconsin (2004-05) and Hofstra (2007-08). The Pennsylvania prep was a three-year starter at QB and a U.S. Army All-America selection. Had a foot injury as a junior that ended his season. Began his college career at Rutgers in 2009, where he earned Freshman All-America honors as a true freshman by completing 149-of-285 passes for 2,211 yards (52 percent) with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 games (11 starts). Threw for 43-83-521-2-3 (51.8) in six games in ’10, started the first four games before injuring his right hand and losing his starting job. Transferred to Arizona to play for Head Coach Mike Stoops but had to sit out the ’11 season due to NCAA transfer rules. After Stoops was fired and Rich Rodriguez hired, he decided to transfer again to an offense that suited him better. Tried to go back to Rutgers but hardship waiver was denied by the NCAA so he enrolled at Pittsburgh. Had to sit out the ’12 season as a transfer. Finally returned to the field in ’13 and started all 13 games for Pitt, throwing for 238-389-2,958-21-9 (61.2). Suffered a concussion against Virginia and bruised ribs in the Little Caesars Bowl vs. Bowling Green. Had a 17-11 record in 28 career starts. Team captain.

Strengths:
Terrific size. Sets with balance. Easy, compact, high three-quarters release. Spins a catchable ball. Excellent arm strength to complete NFL throws — capable of sticking outs from the deep hash or launching balls 60 yards on the money. Experience in pro-style offense. Smart and hardworking. Solid personal and football character. Has tools to work with. Team captain.

Weaknesses:
Needs to speed up his clock and show better awareness in the pocket. Needs to quicken his eyes, expand his field vision and learn to manipulate safeties. Tends to stare down his target. Forces some throws into traffic. Erratic accuracy. Slow of foot — not a scramble threat. Can improve play-action fake. Had some duds — struggled against Florida State, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Mental toughness needs to be looked into.

Future:
Big, inconsistent pocket passer who took a circuitous route to Pittsburgh, where he played a full season for the first time since 2009. Is inconsistent and in need of more reps, but has ample arm talent to warrant developmental consideration if teams deem his intangibles worthy of an investment.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“Savage was rusty. He was out a couple of years, but he might have a chance to be pretty good once he knocks all the rust off. He got it rolling pretty good once he got his rhythm down. He is smart. I could see him developing into a player down the road.”

QB connor shaw, #14

south carolina
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-0 3/8 | Wt: 206 | Sp: 4.66 | Arm: 30 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Comes from an athletic family as his father played football at Western Carolina, his mom played basketball at North Georgia and his brother, Jaybo, was a quarterback at Georgia Southern. Threw for 30 touchdowns and ran for 17 more his senior year as a Georgia prep. Graduated early to participate in 2010 spring practice and saw action in nine games as a true freshman in the fall, completing 23-of-33 passes for 223 yards (70 percent) with one touchdown and two interceptions. Also rushed 32 times for 165 yards (5.2-yard average) with zero touchdowns. Threw for 123-188-1,448-14-6 (65.4) and ran for 135-525-8 (3.9) in ’11 in 10 games. Started the season opener against East Carolina and then took over the job after for an ineffective Stephen Garcia and made the final eight starts. In ’12, started all 11 games he played and tossed 154-228-1,956-17-7 (school record 67.5) while rushing 131-435-3 (3.3). Didn’t play against East Carolina and missed most of UAB contest with a right shoulder injury. Missed the Clemson game with a sprained left foot, which required surgery in January ’13 and missed spring practice. Saved the best for his senior year, setting career highs with 180-284-2,447-24-1 (63.4) passing and 154-558-6 (3.6) rushing in 13 games (12 starts). Only non-start was Missouri (left knee, sprained MCL and LCL) but came off the bench to lead the Gamecocks to a come-from-behind win in double OT. Holds the South Carolina record for wins as a starting QB after going 27-5 in 32 career starts, including 17-0 at home.

Strengths:
Fine touch and accuracy. Very good mobility and movement in the pocket. Tough and gritty competitor. Produced a rare 24-1 TD-INT ratio as a senior and cut down on mental mistakes that characterized his play earlier in his career. Workaholic, gym rat. Extremely determined. Vocal presence. Smart and instinctive — is the son of a coach and understands football concepts. Plays through pain. Has a 27-5 career starting record, has rallied his team to victory off the bench and carries a calm, confident, poised field presence. Mentally and physically tough. Three-year starter in the SEC.