2015 NFL Draft: New York Giants Need To Draft Future Franchise QB
In the 2005 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers selected their quarterback of the future in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was not drafted for the present. Brett Favre, one of the all time greats, was the Packers quarterback for the foreseeable future. Rodgers was the next in line of the historic line of Packers quarterbacks. He sat on the bench, in the shadow of the great #4. Rodgers finally got his chance in 2008 and it was beautiful magic.
The New York Giants are in a position to follow the Packers model by finding Eli Manning’s heir apparent before his days are numbered as a starting quarterback. Manning is a good quarterback who has won two Super Bowls and for the moment he is not going anywhere. Fans are itchy to replace Manning, but they don’t appreciate what they have.
All they have to do is look across to the New York Jets to realize how lucky they are. Quarterbacks drafted early are expected to be stars right away, but the Packers proved that the understudy model still works in developing the quarterback of the future.
In the 2015 NFL Draft the quarterback crop is top heavy and relatively raw. Outside of the “Big 3” (Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley and Jameis Winston) there are no superstars. That’s okay, the Giants just need someone who can be the future, not a day one starter. The Giants will have an early draft pick in May, so picking one of the them is a possibility. Lets examine each of the 3 stars.
Mariota is far and away the top quarterback prospect. With freakish athleticism, the requisite arm talent and great accuracy he is an offensive coordinator’s dream quarterback. Mariota does a great job using his mobility to create big plays in the passing game. He is not a quarterback that looks to run, he would rather burn you with his arm.
He is comfortable in the pocket and has a keen sense of pass rushers. His footwork is solid and with some coaching his mechanics will not be an issue in the NFL. He has great touch on his passes, he knows when to drive it and when to putt if you will. Mariota would best be suited for a West Coast offense that takes advantage of his exceptional ability to throw so that receivers can get yards after the catch. He has a tall frame and is stronger than he looks.
Nov 22, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws the ball before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Comparison Potential: Aaron Rodgers
Hundley is UCLA’s version of Superman. The entire offense runs through the play making of Hundley as a dual threat quarterback. He is quick and he runs like a running back but has a supreme arm talent. The 6-3, 227 pound athlete is almost impossible to sack.
He has a sensational deep ball but his intermediate passing is inconsistent. He is a raw quarterback that knows only the spread UCLA offense that features mostly short passing and screens. He is prone to throwing interceptions over the middle of the field.
Hundley is raw but the ability is there. He could be the perfect back up quarterback to develop and you could get him some snaps with a Wildcat package.
NFL Comparison Potential: Steve McNair
Nov 28, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) is chased down by Stanford Cardinal linebacker James Vaughters (9) in the second half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Stanford won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) smiles during the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Winston is a huge 6-4 quarterback with Vince Young like mobility. He is Florida States’ dual threat quarterback. Winston throws the deep ball better than anyone in the country and is a big play waiting to happen.
Winston is in no way shape or form a finished product. He is a sensational athlete with limitless potential. In the NFL potential can be a 4 letter word. Make no mistake, drafting Winston is a risk.
He continually gets into trouble; getting accused of sexual assault and stealing crab legs from a Publix grocery store are two of his greatest hits.
If you thought Johhny Football was a controversy machine, Winston makes him look like a boy scout
Winston makes horrible decisions under pressure and will give coaches grey hairs on and off the field. The catch is his talent may justify all the drama.
NFL Comparison Potential: Ben Roethlisberger
In the near future I will highlight the quarterbacks the Giants could pick later on in the draft to groom if they do not get one of the Big 3. Stay tuned to GMenHQ.com for all your Giants offseason coverage especially headed into the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft!