This is the follow up to my article NFL Draft: The Quarterback Crystal Ball…
Prior to the draft, teams I felt would draft a QB: Miami, Atlanta, Kansas, Baltimore, Carolina, Chicago, Minnesota, Greenbay (maybe Jets and Tampa Bay)
My pre-draft Predictions:
• Matt Ryan (Boston College): Round 1, Kansas City Chiefs
• Brian Brohm (Louisville): Round 1, Atlanta Falcons (trade back into round 1)
• Joe Flacco (Delaware): Round 2, Baltimore Ravens
• Chad Henne (Michigan): Round 2, Miami Dolphins
Quarterbacks drafted in 2008:
• 3 Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan, Boston College
• 18 Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco, Delaware
• 56 Green Bay Packers, Brian Brohm, Louisville
• 57 Miami Dolphins, Chad Henne, Michigan
• 94 New England Patriots, Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State
• 137 Minnesota Vikings, John David Booty, Southern Cal
• 156 Pittsburgh Steelers, Dennis Dixon, Oregon
• 160 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Johnson, San Diego
• 162 New York Jets, Erik Ainge, Tennessee
• 186 Washington Redskins, Colt Brennan, Hawaii
• 198 New York Giants, Andre’ Woodson, Kentucky
• 209 Green Bay Packers, Matt Flynn, LSU
• 223 Houston Texans, Alex Brink, Washington State
Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan, Boston College: It is no surprise that Matt Ryan was the first QB taken. Some felt Atlanta should have taken Dorsey first though, and then got a QB like Brohm in the second round. This all sounds good especially since the Falcons moved up to the 21st pick to acquire OT Sam Baker. It all comes down to if you believe QB Ryan + OT Baker > DT Dorsey + QB Brohm. Arthur Blank seems to want the whole Michael Vick problem to go away by giving the Falcon Franchise a new face. Ryan fills the bill in this aspect.
Good size and a big frame...Smart and understands how to read a defense...Is a natural born leader...Solid technique and mechanics...Displays great poise...Good touch and timing...Able to buy time in the pocket...Throws well on the run...A hard worker...Has experience running a pro style offense...Top-notch competitor and a winner...Is tough, strong and fearless...Productive and had an outstanding senior campaign...Very dedicated and extremely passionate about the game of football. –nfldraftcountdown.com
Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco, Delaware: Many will say it was a reach for the Ravens to take QB Joe Flacco at pick #18. It could have been worse; they could have taken him with their #8 Pick! Joe Flacco will have to compete against Kyle Boller and Troy Smith for the starting job, yet you do not draft a QB that high just to let him ride the pine.
Has excellent size and a big frame...Has an outstanding arm and can make all the throws...Quick delivery...Pretty accurate...Nice touch and timing...Throws a terrific deep ball...Really smart and a hard worker....Tough and durable...Had a fantastic senior campaign...Solid leadership ability...Very productive...Still has some upside. –nfldraftcountdown.com
Green Bay Packers, Brian Brohm, Louisville: Absolutely love the pick of Brian Brohm at the 56 pick. This was a steal, especially since I thought he was the most talented QB in this draft class. It was also reminiscent of how Green Bay drafted Aaron Rogers, watching a talented quarterback slide down the draft board. You have to feel a little sad for him though. Had Brohm come out last year, he probably would have been drafted in the top 10. This puts the pressure on Rogers though, filling the shoes of Brett Farve, while looking over his shoulder at Brohm. Doubt Brohm looks to be a back up QB in the league for long, and gives Aaron Rogers a run for his money.
Has good size and a solid frame...Mechanically sound...Doesn't have a cannon but arm strength is more than adequate...Has a terrific football IQ and knows how to read a defense...Very smart and doesn't make many bad decisions...Hard worker with great intangibles who loves the game and wants to improve...Gets rid of the ball quickly...Good accuracy, touch and timing...Decent athlete...Moves well in the pocket...Has lots of experience...Very productive at every level...Good bloodlines. –nflcountdown.com
Miami Dolphins, Chad Henne, Michigan: Miami preferred Chad Henne, and did not have to reach to get him. Do not just sit back and think that John Beck is guaranteed to be the starter in 2008. Henne was drafted into a team where he would actually win the starting position.
Has a strong, solid build...Excellent arm strength and can make all the throws...Is very smart...Displays good touch and timing...Has a quick release...Pretty durable overall...Terrific leader...Has a ton of experience against top competition...Football junkie who loves the game...Throws a nice deep ball...Very productive...Hails from a program with a strong reputation when it comes to producing pro quarterbacks. –nflcountdown.com
New England Patriots, Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State: Not surprised that the Patriots drafted a Quarterback, since there is not a lot of depth after Tom Brady. It does not surprise me that it was QB Kevin O’Connell since they had a private workout with him in San Diego. It was surprising that they drafted him in the third round! O’Connell was the fifth overall QB taken in the 2008 draft, although many had him projected at the tenth overall. Many said this was a real reach for the Patriots. Do not worry; there will be no Quarterback controversy in New England!
Has excellent size and a big frame...Terrific athleticism...Great timed speed...Arm is strong enough to make all the throws..Nice touch and timing..Is mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet...Can throw on the run...Hard worker...Very competitive...Team leader...A lot of experience...Has a ton of upside. –nfldraftcountdown.com
John David Booty, Southern Cal: I am sure there are some Viking fans happy that Minnesota drafted John David Booty in the fifth round. This does not mean that the Tarvaris Jackson project is over. Many felt Booty would be off the draft board by the third round, so the Vikings got good value for him.
Excellent throwing mechanics...Very accurate...Is just tall enough and has a solid build...Smart and understands how to run an offense...Still developing and hasn't maxed out his potential...Has a quick release...A decent athlete and moves well in the pocket...Hard worker and leader with very good intangibles...Good bloodlines. --nfldraftcountdown.com
Honorable Mentions:
Pittsburgh Steelers, Dennis Dixon, Oregon:
Outstanding athleticism...Good speed..Can buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet...Adequate height with the frame to get bigger...Decent arm strength and has a quick release...A team leader...Throws well on the move...Displays nice ball handling skills...Had a great senior year...Still improving and has some upside. –nfldraftcountdown.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Josh Johnson, San Diego:
Good height with the frame to get bigger...Excellent athleticism and speed...Very accurate with good touch and timing...Arm strength is adequate...Solid throwing mechanics with a quick release...Can buy time in the pocket and is a threat to run when necessary...Smart with a good football IQ....Was extraordinarily productive and dominant at his level...Confident...Tough...A good leader with top intangibles. –nfldraftcountdown.com
New York Jets, Erik Ainge, Tennessee:
Has prototypical size...Arm strength is more than adequate...Displays good touch, timing and accuracy...He sees the field well and knows how to read a defense...Is naturally athletic...Tough and stands tall in the pocket...Productive...A competitor with solid intangibles...Lots of experience against top competition...Still improving. –nfldraftcountdown.com
Washington Redskins, Colt Brennan, Hawaii:
Was extraordinarily productive...Good height with the frame to get bigger...Very accurate...Arm strength is adequate...Has a quick release...Displays terrific touch and timing...A decent athlete who moves well in the pocket...Smart...Knows how to read a defense and go through his progressions...Super confident and poised under pressure...Has shown maturity in owning up to his past mistakes...A leader. –nfldraftcountdown.com
New York Giants, Andre’ Woodson, Kentucky:
Has prototypical size and a solid frame...Has a very strong arm and can make all the throws...Accurate passer...Good touch and timing...Makes good decisions for the most part and doesn't turn the ball over...Decent athlete who moves well in the pocket and can scramble...Is tough and durable...Will stand tall in the face of pressure...Excellent intangibles in terms of leadership and work ethic...Was very productive the past couple of years...Still improving and has considerable upside. –nfldraftcountdown.com
It is surprising that teams like Kansas, Carolina, and Chicago did not draft a QB at the very least to compete in camp. Considering some of the talented QBs that could have been had in the fifth round (Dennis Dixon, Josh Johnson, Erik Ainge, Colt Brennan and Andre Woodson), it would have been worth a flyer. Guess Brodie Croyle, Jake Delhomme, and Rex Grossman are ready to go!
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