To start off the Draft Notebook series we will begin with my top ranked quarterback in the class. Teddy Bridgewater has been pretty faceless this offseason due to his lack of All-Star game appearance and his lack of participation at the Combine. Keep an eye out for Louisville’s pro day March 17th. Bridgewater will need a great day to solidify himself as the top quarterback in this class.
Measurables and Background
- School: Louisville
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Miami, Florida
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 214 lbs
- Hand Size: 9 1/4”
- 40 Time: N/A (Pro Day)
- Bench: N/A (Pro Day)
- Vertical Jump: 30”
- Long Jump: 113”
Career Stats
Passing:
G ATT COMP PCT YDS Long Pass Rate TD INT YDS/G
39 1,142 781 .684 9,817 75 157.2 72 24 251.7
Rushing:
ATT YDS YDS/ATT Long TD YDS/G
226 170 .8 26 6 4.4
*Statistical credit to http://www.sports-reference.com/
Analysis and Grades
Size: A-. By no means is 6’2” a deal breaker, but the prototypical size scouts and teams look for is that 6’3” plus. It’s nice to see he tacked on about ten pounds from his Louisville listing of 205. In my original notes I said I would like to see him add ten pounds to absorb some of the hits he will take at the next level. Overall good size.
Pocket Awareness: A. He has a nice feel for where defenders are around him, and uses that to his advantage to climb the pocket. Keeps his eyes down field while stepping up to make the throw. Would like to see him use his athleticism to create more play time.
Reads: B. Does a nice job adjusting to college coverage’s and going through his progression. Would like to see him check the ball down when he gets into trouble. Went to DeVante Parker when he got into trouble, and Parker bailed him out a few times.
Credit to Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
Footwork: B. Smooth three and five step drops, and plants before making pocket throws. Doesn’t hop around in the pocket, but needs to keep his feet ready to move. Too flat at times. Shows good movement on plays designed to move him out of the pocket.
Arm Strength: A. Has nice zip to his passes, but could generate more from putting his body behind his throws. Has the prototypical NFL deep ball ability and has shown he can hit his receivers deep in stride. Won’t fall into the Joe Flacco cannon arm type of comparison.
Accuracy: A. Can hit tight window throws, and has faith in his accuracy. Has the touch to put air under his deep balls and fades. His medium range throws are sometimes off-point, but not enough to be a major concern. The only concern here is the gloves on both hands. Not a typically preferred method, but if it works for him that is fine.
Overall: Bridgewater is the most polished quarterback of this class, and looks to have the tools to be a franchise quarterback at the NFL level. Early in the draft he was receiving comparisons to Robert Griffin III (RG3), but by no means is he a scrambler like RG3. I would like to see him use his athleticism more to pick up open field yards when given. NFL teams are really benefiting from mobile quarterbacks.
NFL Player Comparison: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay
Grade: 3.7, A-
Draft Projection: Top 5
Leave a Reply