Continuing my NFL pre-draft quarterback rankings, we’re still dealing guys I feel need work to be NFL starters, but at worst could be quality back ups. In the grand scheme of things there’s no real problem with that. Consider that there are 32 NFL teams right now and no one would argue there are currently 32 starter-level NFL quarterbacks in the league. That’s even counting teams that seem to have two (the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots). Those teams are more than cancelled out by teams that have none (the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers). And that list is taking a lot for granted, mainly that Blake Bortles in Jacksonville and Jared Goff in Los Angeles can actually keep those starting jobs (and, you know, deserve them).
To get caught up, click here for Part 1 of my NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings and click here and here for my pre-draft preamble where I reveal the methodology I used to become the only media member and pundit on the planet that can actually rank quarterbacks with any success.
8. Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 225 pounds
60.5 completion percentage, 2,855 yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, three rushing touchdowns
It’s ironic that Peterman not only makes the list, but lands at No. 8 considering the guy Butch Jones ran him out of Knoxville for, Joshua Dobbs, isn’t even on my list at all (spoiler!). Peterman is the exact kind of quarterback the regular scouts and pundits wave off. He’s athletic, but not Russell Wilson athletic. He’s got a good arm, but not Aaron Rodgers’ arm. He’s accurate, but not Tom Brady accurate.
But what those scouts don’t realize is of those three quarterbacks they use as examples, only one had a first round grade (Rodgers) and he was the consensus “second best quarterback” in that 2005 NFL Draft behind Alex Smith. There was no question who all the scouts had rated higher and it wasn’t Rodgers.
There’s a lot to like about Peterman. After getting passed over at Tennessee, he transferred to Pitt and wasn’t handed the starting job. He had to earn it his junior season and did. He led a pro-style attack and probably has the most deceptive head movement in this draft class. He moves his neck so little when making his reads, it has to make the safeties job significantly more difficult. It’s why he just threw seven picks last year total. And just eight as a junior.
Peterman throws a nice, catchable ball and can fire it in tight windows when he needs to. He never had a bad game at Pitt and played up to his competition, even in losses. His Clemson game tape alone should be required viewing for any team in need of QB on day two of the NFL Draft. He has a lightning-quick release, Dan Marino-ish if I have to state the obvious Pitt comparison.
Of all the guys in the back half of the list, he would probably have the best chance of developing quickly into an NFL starter if he lands on the right team.
Ideal situation: Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
7. Davis Webb, California, 6-5, 230 pounds
61.6 completion percentage, 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, six rushing touchdowns
Watching Webb throw, he might have the most natural and effortless arm motion in this class. He can put the ball on the money at any spot on the field. His pocket awareness and movement are already NFL caliber and he seems to swim behind his blockers as the receiver routes develop downfield.
Like Peterman, Webb had to transfer to another school to see his full potential realized. In Webb’s case, it was an injury that cost him his starting job at Texas Tech and unleashed Patrick Mahomes on an unsuspecting populace.
Unlike Peterman, Webb has all the measurables the scouts look for and they are impressive. Here’s what keeps him from getting ranked higher. He piled up the stats, but he didn’t make enough plays to win. The Golden Bears finished 5-7 this season and didn’t get a bowl invite. There were some bad losses in there to San Diego State and Arizona State early. Against USC, Webb and the Cal offense never even got off the bus until the second quarter.
That all being said, there are a ton of tools to work with here that should get quarterback coaches in the NFL excited. Webb is in no way ready to take over an NFL team, but with a few years behind a legit starter in a good system, Webb could easily turn into a “QB of the future” for a franchise.
Ideal situation: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints
To be continued…
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