CURRENT NYG QBs ON ROSTER
Eli Manning – 34 years old – Signed through 2015
Ryan Nassib – 25 years old – Signed through 2016
Ricky Stanzi – 27 years old – Signed through 2015
WHERE THEY STAND:
Could be it be that the NYG brass is going to let the 11 year starter enter the final year of his contract without an extension? That appears to be the case. I would put the heavy odds on him being here for at least another 3-4 years but even the most faithful of Manning supporters need to admit that the post-Eli plan needs to be thought about. Franchise QBs are incredibly hard to find, I get it. When you have one, you need to hold on tight and pay market value if not more, I get it. Manning had one of his best overall seasons in year one of a new offensive system, I get it. The issue here is a simple case of economics; is Manning worth a $20+ cap number as he enters the final years of his contract? With the amount of holes on this roster, a credible case could be made for either direction. Nassib hasn’t showed enough during preseason games to warrant confidence for down the road. Perhaps he shines during practice and we have no idea. Stanzi is a training camp body. But to say NYG needs a fresh, young QB on the depth chart is far from inappropriate.
TOP 10 GRADES:
1 – Jameis Winston – Florida State - 6’4/231 – 80
Upside Pro Comparison – Ben Roethlisberger/PIT
The necessary talent is there. Winston has all the physical tools you want out of a QB. His size, presence, arm strength, accuracy, and mobility to warrant the first round grade. Would I consider him an elite thrower? No. An elite mover? No. However one thing he does have (and NYG fans will understand the importance of this) is the poise he maintains through tight situations. Winston proved he is a winner. He can have a horrid first half but his short memory allows him to come out firing in the fourth quarter and look unstoppable when the team needs him most. His off the field maturity issues are well documented, however. It may even cause some teams to cross him off their board entirely. When I see him play, I think a Big Ben type with less arm power. If his head is on straight, he can be a guy that teammates love, a guy that wins, and a guy that fans will cling to over time. The grade includes a few points off due to his character problems.
2 – Marcus Mariota – Oregon - 6’4/222 – 79
Upside Pro Comparison – Robert Griffin III/WAS
Last fall I viewed Mariota as an elite level (90+) QB prospect that I would want on the NYG roster as soon as round 1. I love his ability to move. He can change the game with his mobility. He is more than just an athlete too. He has some zip on his balls with a quick release and most importantly, his accuracy on the move is spot on. I’ve seen every 2014 game tape of Oregon and I have to admit I jumped the gun on him. He remains uncomfortable in the pocket and the simple throws were routinely missed. His mechanics as a pocket passer are flawed and his experience starting under center is as limited as it gets. There is something about QBs that rely on athletic ability that just screams “No” to me as well. Mariota doesn’t have the Cam Newton body type. I can’t see him taking an extra 10 hits per game and lasting, a la Robert Griffin. He’s a mature kid and he does make plays, but there is more development that needs to occur here thus a larger margin for eventual error. I would still take Mariota on this team but not before round 2, he’ll be long gone by then.
3 – Brett Hundley – UCLA – 6’3/226 – 74
Upside Pro Comparison – Cam Newton/CAR
Another spread formation, shotgun-only signal caller that has the athletic tools to be the guy in this class. Hundley has a thicker body type than Mariota and has just as much ability to make a difference running the ball. His inconsistency is maddening, however. He is a good thrower short and intermediate but his accuracy throwing the ball downfield is poor. He is another guy that needs to sit at least a year. Is there upside here? Sure. But I would put odds on him being the backup type that will bounce around the league but disappoints.
4 – Garrett Grayson – Colorado State – 6’2/213 - 73
Upside Pro Comparison – Matt Moore/MIA
Really good athlete, underrated speed and quickness. Some QBs have that sixth sense in the pocket and have the extra level of quickness within the tackle box. Grayson has that. He can throw deep with power and accuracy. There is a WR from Colorado State that will be draft eligible next year…some are labeling him a top tier prospect. He’s good, but Grayson made him look a lot better. He can throw guys open, throw to a spot…etc. If I have a void at QB when it comes to youth, I think Grayson is the mid-round value I am going after.
5 – Jerry Lovelocke – Prarie View A& M - 71
Loved what I saw out of him at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He has a really smooth, quick, strong, powerful release and arm. A guy this big can be worked with when it comes to a dual threat player. Lovelocke is and always will be a passer first/runner second, but his size and presence makes him a dual threat. He is likely a practice squad guy because of how raw his footwork is and he didn’t play in a complicated system in college, but for where you can get him I like the value.
6 – Sean Mannion – Oregon State – 6’6/229 - 71
Upside Pro Comparison – Mike Glennon/TB
Illustrious career including 45 starts, leaves school as the Pac 12’s all time leading passer with over 13,000 yards and 11 OSU passing records. The 3 time team captain shows all the intangibles you want in a Quarterback. Loves the game and works hard on and off the field to make himself better. The fifth year senior received a 3rd round grade from the Advisory Board last year after his record setting Junior campaign. He took a step back in 2014, playing with less talent around him. This classic pocket passer has the tools and intangibles to be a starter or primary backup at the next level but he is a limited-ceiling type player. The lack of athletic ability is certainly troubling and you know it’s only going to get worse as he gets older. You don’t need to be a superb athlete, but Mannion looks stuck in mud sometimes. That’s tough to accept out of such a young player.
8 – Bryan Bennett – SE Louisiana State – 6’2/211 - 69
Upside Pro Comparison – Tyler Thigpen/CLE
Was at Oregon for awhile but once he figured out that Marcus Mariota was….well Marcus Mariota…he left for SE Louisiana to pursue the NFL dream. He played well there but didn’t dominate the way you want a small school QB to. With that said, Bennett is a very good athlete and has the strongest arm of any QB in this class. He can really spin it. Hits guys on the move. I like how Bennett looked for extra work at the Combine. He was always the guy getting extra throws in. His accuracy on the move and downfield is poor and some guys say that can’t be corrected. I’d take a chance on him in the later rounds.
9 – Bryce Petty – Baylor – 6’3/230 - 69
Upside Pro Comparison – Rex Grossman/RET
Petty comes from a spread-style offense, always in the shotgun, minimal reads…etc. Every year these guys are becoming more and more common. It’s not a huge deal. But I really didn’t like what I saw out of him at the Senior Bowl and it matched a lot of what I don’t like on tape. He misses a lot of easy throws. He gets overly-trigger happy under pressure. He loses sense of his throwing mechanics. What I do like here is the blend of toughness and leadership, however. Coaches/Players/Support Staff and the scouts I get the opportunity to speak with all rave about his daily approach to the game. I want that out of a young QB. He doesn’t lack talent at all. He can throw, he can move. I just hate that I see the same mistakes over and over again with him. Still worth a late round pick if NYG is looking for a QB and he falls.
10 – Anthony Boone – Duke – 6’0/231 – 67
Upside Pro Comparison – Tarvaris Jackson – SEA
I’ve been wanting to like Boone for over a year now because he shows glimpses. One of the strongest arms in the draft. Has easy arm power, can put that ball on a line for 20+ yards with little effort. Drives the ball downfield, generates a lot of zip from his lower body, fluid throwing motion. Can throw the ball well from unorthodox positions. Good runner, shows the ability to see the action around him and make proper cuts to pick up extra yards. Struggles to make multiple reads. Too quick to tuck the ball and scramble. Accuracy is woefully inconsistent, doesn’t hit his target often enough on the run. He is so inconsistent and its bothersome but man, he has talent that a lot of good QBs simply do not possess.
NYG APPROACH
This draft class has the weakest group of QBs I have seen since I’ve been doing this. There isn’t an elite prospect. There isn’t a lot of depth. And there aren’t any guys in the later rounds that I can say with confidence will far-exceed their draft slot. Drafting QBs in the middle to late rounds is more of a crapshoot than anything, however.
I don’t think NYG is going after a QB with one of their 8 picks. Could they go after an UDFA to have in training camp? Sure. But when it comes to where this team is and where they are heading, unless a great value falls to them they should opt towards using their selections on other positions. Put me in the camp of people that thinks this team should NOT give Manning a blank check. Yes it exposes long-term risk at a position that makes or breaks success in this league, but it is going to happen soon anyway. Ideally Manning signs a 3-4 year deal at the same level he is being paid now, and the replacement project gets put in motion in another year or two.
And if Mariota falls to #9 overall….final answer is no. I’ve been back and forth a few times, but it’s just not worth the risk of passing on guys that are graded higher.
Re Eli, I don't want to live through the '70s or post Simms '90s QB situation again. Twice in one life is enough. But I think the dilemma for the Giants (and other teams) is this: if your team is not a real contender can you justify soaking up 15-20% of you cap on a QB? This year is so pivotal for the organization. If they don't show that they are clearly on the upswing by season's end, then maybe they need to start over? Meaning new GM, Coach, staff, QB?
I don't think there is a right answer to that. There are countless examples of guys that can start in year 1 at a high level...then you have your guys that need a year or two of development. There are so many moving parts to getting the right QB.
Now the Eli contract situation makes it even more complicated.
Without the off field problems, were do you place him? 85?
Agree with you on Mariota.
I wouldn't touch Winston. He'd be off my board for character reasons.
I haven't seen the rest, but it's been universally panned as a bad year for QBs. I see no reason to draft one this year. This team also has a lot of holes.
I think Eli will resign after this year, and we waive goodbye to JPP.
The difference is one of them has a big time NFL arm. And that's Petty. I think you're really missing it on him. I think he's the #1 QB in this class and will be a draft steal.
He makes throws the others can't. Without his feet under him he can hit throws with power the entire width of the field. It's a special skill and it will serve him well in the NFL.
My fear is he goes to PHI. That would be awful for Giant fans.
One last thing, I just don't know how you look at Marriota and see a better NFL QB prospect. The smart team in need of a QB will make a move to get Petty.
Without the off field problems, were do you place him? 85?
Agree with you on Mariota.
Without off the field issues, Winston was an 84. Top 10 player in the class.
The difference is one of them has a big time NFL arm. And that's Petty. I think you're really missing it on him. I think he's the #1 QB in this class and will be a draft steal.
He makes throws the others can't. Without his feet under him he can hit throws with power the entire width of the field. It's a special skill and it will serve him well in the NFL.
My fear is he goes to PHI. That would be awful for Giant fans.
One last thing, I just don't know how you look at Marriota and see a better NFL QB prospect. The smart team in need of a QB will make a move to get Petty.
You aren't alone in liking Petty. A lot of people I respect think Petty is #2 in this QB class.
I just think Mariota has more poise and you can do more with him on the move. He has better footwork, more accuracy.
Winston is the clear cut favorite but the rest of the bunch has so many glaring question marks. Mannion intrigues me for later rounds as does Brandon Bridge as a developmental type. But other than that I'd hate to be a team in need of a QB.
Why not? They spent 2 on Nassib! :-)
Cody Kessler - USC
Christian Hackenburg - Penn State
Kevin Hogan - Stanford
Connor Cook (MSU), Cardale Jones (OSU) are right behind as of right now. And there are 3-4 other names I have a * next to...meaning I liked them in multiple games from a non-scouting perspective.
MM is coachable. Griffin was not.
I don't think Winston is either based on what I know of him and how Jimbo had to handle him.
MM is coachable. Griffin was not.
I don't think Winston is either based on what I know of him and how Jimbo had to handle him.
Not that high on Carden but in all honesty...all these guys from 5 on down are the same to me. Take a shot in the dark on one of them and hope.
He has the best physical tools of any QB in this draft. Best arm and a quick release. As a thrower, he's much more talented than Marriota.
Sy, You really think Marriota is more accurate than Petty? If were talking about NFL throws, I don't think it's close. Throwing the ball down the field, to the sideline, & on the move, Petty is on another level.
My NFL Comp is: Aaron Rodgers - He's an underrated athlete like Rodgers was. He's got an outstanding release like Rodgers and can throw it on the run or without his feet under him like Rodgers too. And I think he will be drafted in the same range as Rodgers. BTW, I loved Rodgers going into the NFL too.
Eli is going to cost $20+ million for several years. Getting Petty, who I see as an elite QB prospect, would make it possible to move on at a much lower cost for several years.
Don't it always seem to go....
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone - ( New Window )
Both SB's were excellent examples of team wins and not a QB carrying the load.
He has the best physical tools of any QB in this draft. Best arm and a quick release. As a thrower, he's much more talented than Marriota.
Sy, You really think Marriota is more accurate than Petty? If were talking about NFL throws, I don't think it's close. Throwing the ball down the field, to the sideline, & on the move, Petty is on another level.
My NFL Comp is: Aaron Rodgers - He's an underrated athlete like Rodgers was. He's got an outstanding release like Rodgers and can throw it on the run or without his feet under him like Rodgers too. And I think he will be drafted in the same range as Rodgers. BTW, I loved Rodgers going into the NFL too.
I don't see Rodgers in Petty at all.
And I'm not in to projecting where guys get drafted as much as I am in to projecting how they perform. Petty will be taken in the first 3 rounds, maybe even in the 1st round. That won't change a thing about what I think of him.
During there postseason run Eli added another 1,200 yards and 9 TD's,with a rating of over 103.
The Giants had the 27th ranked defense in 2011 as well,so you can't say they carried the team into the postseason.
If Eli doesn't make that throw to Manningham down the sideline in the 4th quarter on a game winning drive,then the Giants aren't champions for the 2nd time in 4 years. Wich maybe the greatest throw and catch I've ever seen in my life. To do that in a superbowl when it matters most is incredible.
So I dare say that Eli did carry the team and 2011 wasn't a good example of the (team) wins. Eli carried the load for the whole season,right to the end of the superbowl in the 4th quarter. If the Giants don't have Eli,they don't win the superbowl in 2011.
I see him dropping much lower in this draft. Round 5+.
Sy, After reading your comments, I'm surprised you have him at #3. It says a lot about your expectations of the players below him.
Ditto
I see him dropping much lower in this draft. Round 5+.
Sy, After reading your comments, I'm surprised you have him at #3. It says a lot about your expectations of the players below him.
I think there are 2 starting caliber QBs in this draft. The rest are backups at best.
This is one of, if not the worst.
Quote:
upside pro comparisons turn out to be close or spot on then yes, this is one of the worst QB classes in a long time.
This is one of, if not the worst.
Even getting 1 starter, especially if Winston is close to Big Ben, is better than the Manuel/Geno/Nassib draft a few years ago. Granted we haven't seen Nassib play, but the rest of the class looks like trash.