2006 NFL Draft QB Rankings

Top QB Prospects for the 2006 NFL Draft

1) Matt Leinart USC

Positives

• Makes outstanding and effective decisions even when under pressure from defenders.
• Better than average arm strength
• Good size and height for the quarterback position
• Very accurate passer
• Of the leader mentality, a natural born winner, won’t settle for anything but a win
• Gets rid of the ball quickly due to short, crisp throwing motion
• High release point on his throws, passes rarely get batted down, plus wide receivers love the high release point.
• Already did well in an NFL style offense in USC system

Negatives

• Lacks foot speed to break away from defenders
• His stats and numbers could be inflated due to one of the best offensive lines and group of running backs at his disposal at USC

Draft Outlook

Should be the #1 quarterback taken in the draft by either the number 2 pick (if another team strikes a deal with the Saints) or by the Titans at number 3.

 

2) Jay Cutler Vanderbilt

Positives

• Big, strong, and athletic, good arm strength, can bench press 400 pounds
• Great improvisational skills to get out of trouble with accuracy on the run
• Iron man, only missed one game in College playing behind an under average offensive line at Vanderbilt
• Shows great poise in pressure and late game situations
• Great pocket presence
• Great field vision

Negatives

• Often forces balls into coverage, can’t do that in the NFL
• Only 11-34 as a starter, although not much talent at Vanderbilt
• Slow release

Draft Outlook

Look for Cutler to either go to Arizona at number 10 or Oakland at number 7 if the Raiders decide to make a dumb move and draft offensive talent when they desperately need defensive players, if they pass on Vince Young.

 

3) Vince Young Texas

Positives

• Quick and accurate release point
• Sees the field very well
• Tremendous scrambling ability, very elusive, able to make the first and second guy miss
• Proven Winner
• Steps up when game is on the line

Negatives

• Side arm delivery
• Texas shotgun style offense not run by any NFL team gave him ability to make quick decisions
• Doesn’t protect football

Draft Outlook

Will most likely be the second quarterback taken at number 7 by the Raiders unless someone moves up to try and get him.

 

4) Brodie Croyle Alabama

Positives

• Makes great accurate throws, already NFL caliber type passer
• True pocket passer
• Quick release and fast throwing motion limits turnovers
• Tremendous arm strength

Negatives

• Size is a little below average
• Is brittle, injured in 2003 and 2004 at Alabama
• Release point is low
• Slow player, lacks agility to make lineman miss

Draft Outlook

Brodie will probably go in the second round. Baltimore at #44 is a possibility and if they pass Minnesota who selects 4 picks later could be Mr. Croyle's future home.

 

5) Omar Jacobs Bowling Green

Positives

• Great size and arm strength
• Good speed and foot work
• Gets set quickly and has great pocket presence
• Very accurate and leads his receivers well

Negatives

• Mechanics could use work
• Field vision and ability to read defenses not as good as the top 4 QB's
• Like Vince Young comes from shotgun style offense, will take time to learn NFL style

Draft Outlook

Omar could probably go as high as a late second round pick all the way to a 4th round selection. Possible teams looking for a second tier quarterback would be Dallas, Baltimore, Minnesota, Arizona, and Philadelphia.

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