Quarterback

1) Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)- 9.4
Most accurate quarterback in the class. Has ideal height and a quick release. There have been questions about his arm strength but Bradford has shown he can make all the throws. Has most recently operated primarily from the shotgun but played under center freshmen year and has exceptional footwork so he should be able to adapt to any pro-style offense. Teams may have concerns about his durability but his recent shoulder surgery reportedly went smoothly and Bradford may be able to add weight to his current slight frame. He has not faced much of a pass rush while at Oklahoma so his pocket presence is a bit of an unknown. Bradford has franchise quarterback potential mostly due to his phenomenal accuracy and should (at least) be an above average starter in the NFL.

2) Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)- 9.4
Neck and neck with Bradford to be the first quarterback off the board (I’ve changed my mind multiple times this fall). The former prep star has been in the spotlight for years but has handled it (relatively well). Accurate with good arm strength and an excellent pocket presence. He ran the West Coast offense throughout his collegiate career and has shown marked improvement each season. He played most of his junior season with torn ligaments in his big toe but still managed a very productive season. Has shown he can take a punch. Some teams may worry about his demeanor which at times comes across as Jay Cutleresque. Definite franchise quarterback potential.

3) Tim Tebow (Florida)- 7.6
There is a sharp drop-off after Bradford and Clausen and no other quarterback should be taken in the first round. Tim Tebow probably will get snapped up anyway. Tebow should be a productive NFL player in some capacity but whether that production comes at the quarterback position is still to be determined. Jacksonville may draft him with the tenth pick in hopes of generating some interest for the franchise but even if they don’t it only takes one franchise to fall in love with his running ability, size, leadership, work ethic and above average arm strength. Unfortunately, his accuracy is comparable to that of Dick Cheney (with a rifle) and his footwork and mechanics are suspect. Tebow may be an effective H-back and should have value in some version of the Wildcat offense but I don’t see him as a viable option at quarterback.

4) Colt McCoy (Texas)- 7.1
He has rewritten the Texas record book but that won’t ensure success in the NFL. McCoy has been a dual threat quarterback at Texas and while his agility and movement will be a strength at the next level he is not exactly the second coming of Mike Vick. McCoy has been very durable at Texas despite taking a number of hits but his size will be a concern in the NFL. He has an accurate arm but it’s not particularly strong and the deep ball and deep outs may give him some issues. He has not been under center at Texas and his footwork is not nearly as good as Sam Bradford’s so he will have more difficulty adjusting. Overall, McCoy’s upside is limited and should be a mid-round pick.

5) Jevan Snead (Mississippi)- 7.0
Snead has an excellent arm and showed considerable promise in his sophomore season. He’s got the necessary size and enough mobility to make a difference in the NFL. In short, Snead has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. However, he regressed substantially this season and couldn’t consistently produce for Ole Miss. He threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (20) and only completed 54% of his passes as a junior. His potential will tempt teams (especially considering the lack of depth at quarterback in this year’s class) but it would take a great deal of maturation, the right situation and a few lucky breaks for Snead to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.