2014 NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 Quarterback Prospects – Blake Bortles the #1 QB Prospect

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 Quarterback Prospects – Blake Bortles the #1 QB Prospect: Without a doubt, the quarterback position is the most important in the NFL. There is a reason why teams that have guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are always in the playoffs, and there is a reason why teams like San Francisco and Seattle suddenly became factors once Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson came along. Franchises often search for years to find the right person to put under center, and when they find the right one, they will spend a ton of money to keep them. Not surprisingly, quarterbacks are always a big topic of conversation when the NFL Draft comes around, and if a team believes they have found a potential franchise QB they will spend a high pick or even trade up to get them. With the 2014 NFL Draft a little more than a month away, several QBs are expected to come off the board in the first few picks and as many as five could go in the first round. Here is a closer look at how I see the top five QB prospects stack up heading into the draft.

1.      Blake Bortles, Central Florida Knights

Bortles displayed strong measurable during the scouting combine, and he displayed good arm strength and answered a lot of questions with solid accuracy during his pro day. Meanwhile, he already possesses the ideal NFL frame, standing 6’5″ and weighing 230 pounds. His NFL-ready body bodes well for his durability, and while he isn’t as polished when it comes to running an NFL offense, it is easier to teach someone a playbook than it is to make them taller and stronger. Bortles has the best physical tools of any QB prospect in this draft, and his ceiling is sky high. He might end up being the No. 1 overall pick, and he will likely be the top QB off the board either way.

2.      Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Aggies

Yes, there are some questions about whether Manziel’s smaller frame will allow him to stay healthy while continuing to utilize the scrambling ability that made him such an incredible play-maker in college. However, the chance that he might be able to be the same one-man wrecking crew on offense in the NFL will be enough for a team to pull the trigger. He also has some extremely large hands for his sub-6’0″ frame, which will help ease some concerns about his ability to throw the deep ball. His box-office personality certainly doesn’t hurt his draft stock either since ticket sales are something teams take into account, as well. Manziel isn’t the safest pick, but at the end of the day, his ridiculous upside will cause someone to fall in love with him and possibly spend a top-five pick on him.

3.      Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville Cardinals

Bridgewater hasn’t done himself any favors leading up to the draft. Granted, he quieted concerns about his height, but he backed out of several drills at the combine, and he struggled throwing the deep ball and with overall accuracy during his pro day. He is still the most NFL-ready QB from an experience standpoint because of the pro-style system he played in at Louisville, but he might not be as polished as previously expected and his ceiling appears to somewhat limited. Bridgewater should still be the third QB off the board and a possible top-10 pick, but he doesn’t have the physical upside of Blake Bortles or the play-making ability of Johnny Manziel.

4.      Derek Carr, Fresno State Bulldogs

When it comes to physical tools, Carr fits the mold of an NFL quarterback. He stands 6’2″ and has the arm strength to make any throw, including sideline routes and fades. He also showed solid athleticism during workouts, proving he can extend plays outside of the pocket if need be. That being said, there is almost certainly going to be a significant adjustment period before Carr can confidently run an NFL offense. He played almost exclusively out of the shotgun at Fresno State, and he will have to learn how to read defenses from under center to be successful at the next level. Carr will likely be a popular target in the middle of the first round, but there is a bit of gap between him and the top three QBs.

5.      Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois Panthers

It is rare that a FCS player from a shotgun-based spread system gets a lot of looks from NFL scouts, but Garoppolo impressed during the scouting combine and his pro day, and his value is quickly rising. His arm strength isn’t elite, but it is good enough to make most throws. His delivery is a bit unorthodox, but he has a very quick release. The biggest concern for Garoppolo is his ability to throw under duress and extend plays with athleticism is average at best. Still, his combination of arm strength and accuracy separate him from the remaining prospects. He is a safe bet to be picked in the second round, and if his current ascension continues, a team might even trade back into the first round to scoop him up.

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