2013 NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 Quarterback Prospects: There is no position in the NFL more important or more scrutinized than that of the quarterback. With the 2013 NFL Draft set to begin Thursday, it is only natural that the QB prospects garner a ton of attention. That being said, this year’s crop of players at the position isn’t exactly the most highly-touted in recent memory, and many people in and around the NFL have stated on several occasions that there isn’t a QB worthy of being taken in the first round. Of course, the negative light that this year’s prospects are being seen in probably has a little to do with the fact that they are following a group that featured Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson among others. At the end of the day, at least one of the top prospects is going to go in the first round Thursday, and at least a couple of them will have quality NFL careers. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top prospects at the quarterback position for the 2013 NFL Draft.
1. Geno Smith, West Virginia
Smith is the one quarterback in the draft that has chance to become a franchise-type player sooner rather than later. First and foremost, he has the arm strength to make every throw in the playbook. He was also extremely accurate in college and didn’t make many poor decisions. Smith also has above average speed and athleticism, giving him the skills to run the read-option that is becoming so popular these days. Yes, he needs to adjust to a more pro-style offense and needs to handle pressure in the pocket better, but he possesses all the tools a QB needs to be successful.
2. E.J. Manuel, Florida State
In terms of physical tools, Manuel is arguably the best-equipped QB in the draft. Since nobody seems 100 percent sold on any of the players at the position, a guy with a high ceiling like Manuel becomes worth taking a chance on. Keep in mind that he has the arm strength to make the full array of throws, and with his 6’5” frame, he can see the field. He also has solid speed and can attack defenses outside of the pocket, as well. If anything, he was underutilized at Florida State and still managed to put up excellent numbers in the efficiency department. Granted, it would have been nice to see him win some more big games with the Seminoles, but his true dual-threat ability could make him a dynamic weapon if he is able to handle running an NFL offense.
3. Mike Glennon, North Carolina State
Standing 6’7” and possessing a rocket arm, Glennon has the physical measurables that you can’t teach a player. That being said, it takes more than an NFL body and an NFL arm to be successful as a pro, and Glennon has some weaknesses, as well. He doesn’t have great mobility, and while he threw for a lot of touchdowns in college, he also had high interception totals. Glennon is going to need time to learn an offense and to adjust to the speed of the NFL game, but he has the tools to become an NFL starter down the road. Glennon is worth the risk for any team that plans on relying on the vertical passing game and needs a QB that can really stretch the field deep.
4. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
While rumors are swirling that Nassib’s former coach at Syracuse turned Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone is targeting the QB in the early rounds, it is hard to believe that any other team is really that sold on the guy. After all, he has good but not elite arm strength, and while he is a decent athlete, he isn’t going to be running the option of any sort. On the plus side, he did steadily improve throughout his college career, but that being said, Nassib seems an awful lot like a player that can be successful if he has a great team around him rather than a guy that can make a team great.
5. Matt Barkley, USC
Coming back to school cost him a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick, but Barkley still has the same strengths and weaknesses he did two years ago. On the plus side, he is familiar with a pro-style offense and comfortable throwing a multitude of routes and going through progressions. In many ways, he is the most NFL-ready QB from the mental side of things. On the other hand, Barkley isn’t a standout athlete, and he really doesn’t have the arm to stretch the field or to jam passes in tight windows. In the right offense, he could be a very effective QB. However, he does have some limitations that cap his upside.
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