The past couple of weeks I've been watching a lot of Daniel Jones tape... and no I don't just mean highlights I mean several of his full games from various points in his 3 years of starting...
So, randomly I stumbled across some of Will Grier's games and highlights and I'll admit I was captivated and couldn't help but watch more. To be honest this guy looks to me like a poor man's Baker Mayfield, and I mean that in a very good way. In fact the reason I'm starting this thread is to ask what exactly is it that makes us so sure Mayfield is a far superior player? I remember a lot of people didn't think Mayfield would pan out in the NFL based on his measurables and things like that, but he certainly seems to be an immediate success in this league...
So, back to Will Grier... it seems to me if he had been in Oklahoma's potent offense I see no reason why he couldn't have put up similar numbers as Mayfield. Also interesting to note is I have heard both players knocked for their lack of arm strength, yet both players threw 59/60 mph at their respective combines (clocked) and the only player in the last 10 years to be clocked at & gt; 60 mph at the combine was Josh Allen in 2018 at 62 mph(yes, the last TEN years). I certainly see no problem with Mayfield's arm strength in the pros and if anything I think he can really whip it around. Grier just appears to have a lot of similarities in the way he moves, throws, goes through progressions, processes what he sees, and plays in general. I'm just a bit surprised I didn't see more comparisons between Grier and Mayfield leading up to the draft.
Can someone with a little more expertise tell me why Grier is a projected Back-Up and why he's not going to be anywhere close to as good as Mayfield? I'd really like to know just to put my mind at ease that it was worth it to take Jones at #6 when we could have had Grier at #95, because right now from everything I've seen I get a better feeling about Grier than I do Jones (and I don't like having that feeling). Similar to Mayfield he just strikes me as a guy who can flat-out play, has a lot of natural talent, and it seems the only thing separating them is the fact Mayfield played in a much better offense with a better coach and better talent around him. Convince me otherwise, I beg of you.
Also, one last side note: I know Grier had some off-the-field issues and had a bit of a bad reputation for not being serious enough about football, which is always the type of stuff that causes the Giants' brass to avoid at all costs, but I've heard that in recent years and especially since getting married and having a baby in 2016 he's really matured and developed a better work ethic. I'm not saying I'm going to root against him (if anything I wish him the best) but at the same time I have to say it would be a tough pill to swallow to see him turn out to be better than Jones (I know, grow some balls, I'm just sayin' though). Anything that anyone with a little more expertise can tell me to put my mind at ease in that regard would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Being able to zip the ball in a game environment with a pass rush, a pocket, and secondary is the real measure.
But back to the ask. Mayfield, who have never been a fan of, is much better than Grier at throwing on the run when you can't get to your mechanics. He can generate pace and precision. It's pretty impressive actually. Grier is crafty too at skipping away from pressure, but his arm talent isn't there - yet.
Furthermore, that offense Holgerson put together for Grier at WVU was tremendous. Holgerson had a great offensive mind. So Grier was in an environment that was very QB friendly.
(BTW, Holgerson will do great things at the University of Houston with his offense...)
Not sure why he lasted until the 3rd round. For some reason the QB needy teams passed on him the first 2 rounds.
I nominate this for post of the year! Sneaky ass post of the year, at that.
Being able to zip the ball in a game environment with a pass rush, a pocket, and secondary is the real measure.
But back to the ask. Mayfield, who have never been a fan of, is much better than Grier at throwing on the run when you can't get to your mechanics. He can generate pace and precision. It's pretty impressive actually. Grier is crafty too at skipping away from pressure, but his arm talent isn't there - yet.
Furthermore, that offense Holgerson put together for Grier at WVU was tremendous. Holgerson had a great offensive mind. So Grier was in an environment that was very QB friendly.
(BTW, Holgerson will do great things at the University of Houston with his offense...)
I don’t like the mph stat either as there isn’t a contest of who can throw the hardest, they are just looking to make completions to wrs running against air, they aren’t there trying to clock themselves on a radar gun, so I think it’ can be misleading. Some guys might take some off on sone throws for sake of accuracy etc. On top of that there are some numbers which really just don’t add up....guys ranking ahead of Mahomes for example that are generally accepted to have nowhere near the arm he has. There is an article debunking the value of combine velocity numbers that goes into more detail, I’ll try to find and post.
I haven't really looked at his game film, though, and of course, that's way more important.
Unless Grier cleans up the high turnover crash/burn games I don't feel he can lead you to a championship. I do feel he can get you to the playoffs in the right situation.
Keep in mind Grier also transferred in college and was suspended for using an illegal substance. So he is at least something off the field that needs some inquiry. I also believe he is an older prospect, so his upside is physical upside may be a bit more limited.
So yes, he COULD become a playa at this level.
and poo-pooed by some on here as a non-factor, which is NONSENSE.
Regarding Baker I knew when I first started watching him he was a player. A good player. I commented many times on this site that I felt he was the best prospect of the bunch. You can include this years group in that bunch. Even when the so called pundits were killing him. Well what did I know? BTW Baker has very good arm strength.
Jones has good arm strength too and I don’t care what the “experts” or anyone who comments on this site have to say about it.
Does Grier have the will to win and heart Baker has? I don’t think so but wouldn’t mind being wrong on that count.
Good thread.
With a certain amount of breaks, he could become a starter, but will likely have the ceiling of being a backup.
That is the difference between Mayfield and Grier along with Mayfield's superior athleticism. Also the huge difference between Jones and Grier.
Big difference between being a Sooner and a Mountaineer.