Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[url=http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/06/its-official-brock-osweiler-declares-for-the-nfl/]It’s official: Brock Osweiler declares for the NFL | CollegeFootballTalk[/url]

This was such a surprising decision that I totally skipped Osweiler when I was doing my player film analysis about a month ago. So I spent all of last night and this morning watching a majority of his 2011 season.

Here's a brief synopsis: it's going to be tough to put a draft grade on him because players similar to him almost never come out as 21 year old juniors. They almost always stay. But with Dennis Erickson getting fired and his OC (Noel Mazzone) leaving the program, he was rumored to be considering a transfer and I have no doubt that the decisions of Matt Barkley and Landry Jones to stay in school probably drove Osweiler to the NFL.

After watching probably about 50% of his snaps from last season, I really think he is the most physically gifted pocket player in this draft, if not in years. He's 6'8", a very good athlete, doesn't have happy feet, is tough, will take a hit, can make every throw, and is deadly accurate with strong fundamentals. Put simply, players like Osweiler never, ever make it out of the first round. They are too talented.

Here's the issue: mentally, there are probably five quarterbacks in the Pac-12 alone who see a higher percentage of the field: Foles, Barkley, Price, and Luck at the very least. And it's not like he's been rotting on the bench this whole time: he started games as a true 18 year old freshman and as a sophomore as well. Also, Mazzone runs a true spread offense. Not the pro-style spread that at team like Texas, Oklahoma, or Notre Dame runs these days. But pretty much the same offense that RG3 is running at Baylor.

Physically, Osweiler is very polished and consistent with his footwork, and they do some difficult pocket movements at ASU that require precision and timing. But the speed of the college game still appears rather fast for him, to the point where he's rarely reading more than two receivers in a single play. I have no doubt that he could start for the Redskins as a rookie in a stripped down version of the Kyle Shanahan system, but like Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, he is still many, many years away from being able to handle full quarterback responsibility in an NFL offense.

As far as his college coaching, Mazzone is really good: he did work with Philip Rivers at NC State, and later taught quarterback fundamentals to Tim Tebow prior to draft day 2010. I can understand why he didn't want to play for Todd Graham after watching this wide open offense. I also went back and saw some high school highlights, and he was really fundamentally sound even back then.

He's the kind of player I could see the Shanahan's falling in love with, but is also perhaps the least pro ready player at the top of this class.

He's still really young: he'll be 21 years old in Week 1. I think he's unquestionably more talented as a pocket passer than Ryan Tannehill, and a bit more talented than Nick Foles (though a much better athlete than Foles). It's just the mental part of the game that's causing him trouble at this point: he was sensational against USC, but struggled mightily against Illinois and Boise State, the three most "pro style" defenses that he saw last season.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

He is about three inches taller than I'm comfortable with. I don't think we get him. Just my opinion though.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

The only other 6'8" QB that I know that played in the NFL was Mark Mcqwire's brother Dan who played at Iowa and SD State, he had a great college career and was a bust for the Seahawks. Jake Plummer also went to ASU, maybe Shanahan will like that. Seriously, I don't know anything about Osweiler.

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_McGwire]Dan McGwire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Maybe this isn't the right way to go about it, but I don't think of 6'8" as "four inches taller than 6'4"" I think of it as part of a player who looks physically imposing to tackle.

Passing wise, he reminds me a lot of Cam Newton. Newton proved to be far more advanced than anyone (including myself) expected.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Because of his height he gets compared to the 6'6"ish Ryan Mallett. But that's not fair because Brock is a much better athlete.

Still, I don't know that he's the right fit for us.

Still, waiting to see if Tyler Wilson declares. I think he'd be a great fit

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=SmootSmack;873693]Because of his height he gets compared to the 6'6"ish Ryan Mallett. But that's not fair because Brock is a much better athlete.

Still, I don't know that he's the right fit for us.

Still, waiting to see if Tyler Wilson declares. I think he'd be a great fit[/quote]

id be pretty shocked if wilson declared, but i agree hed be a good fit

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Living in Los Angeles Ca I saw many ASU games this season and I was impressed with Osweiler. He is accurate and has mobility for a 6-8 player. He had a basketball scholarship from Gonzaga which he turned down to play QB. I throws a nice ball and stands tall in the pocket. I would take a long look at him if we can not get RGIII in the 1st rd.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

'Tripp', got me excited with this guy with a post like that. Draft him for his name alone. Call him Brock-weiler.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

I think his size is a huge advantage as he should be harder to tackle and he can see over the line which the current starter struggles to do. Plus his accurate pocket passing style lends itself to success in the NFL much more than RGIII's run and throw semi-accurate passes style does.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

He bleeds and sweats maroon and gold.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

He sounds like an interesting prospect, any idea what round he projects to right now?

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Seems like there are a lot of QB prospects that are getting discussed around here as if they are extremely well-regarded. Does anybody know how many QBs are coming out that people like McShay, Mayock, Kiper, etc. would assign a first round grade to?

I hear Tannehill, Foles, this Osweiler guy, several others. Can you draftniks help a brother out and explain where each guy is slotted by the experts? It kind of feels like there are 10 first round QBs this year, a little perspective would be valuable.

Never seen him play

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Definitely interesting. He's huge and really athletic with a big arm, and like Tripp pointed out, still very young. It will be interesting to see how his pre-draft workouts play out. He was off just about everyone's radar for this year until a few days ago.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=Mattyk;873723]He sounds like an interesting prospect, any idea what round he projects to right now?[/quote]

Right now; he's a 2nd-3rd rounder. But according to Matt Miller of nflscouting.com, he could raise his stock up to late first.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=SmootSmack;873693]Because of his height he gets compared to the 6'6"ish Ryan Mallett. But that's not fair because Brock is a much better athlete.

Still, I don't know that he's the right fit for us.

Still, waiting to see if Tyler Wilson declares. I think he'd be a great fit[/quote]Wilson would be a good fit with the way he drives the football down the field. I guess beyond how well he would work in this offense though, I'm just not overly blown away by Wilson. He seems to lack a lot of the abilities that made Ryan Mallett a special player in that system.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=Schneed10;873726]Seems like there are a lot of QB prospects that are getting discussed around here as if they are extremely well-regarded. Does anybody know how many QBs are coming out that people like McShay, Mayock, Kiper, etc. would assign a first round grade to?

I hear Tannehill, Foles, this Osweiler guy, several others. Can you draftniks help a brother out and explain where each guy is slotted by the experts? It kind of feels like there are 10 first round QBs this year, a little perspective would be valuable.[/quote]Luck, Griffin, Tannehill won't get out of the first round. I just don't think there's any way that Osweiler will either. That's a GTripp opinion right now, as he's really only a second or third round [U]value[/U] as a passer coming out. But so was Cam Newton.

Foles could end up being the third guy off the board or the fifth guy off the board.

The best value in this draft (outside of Kellen Moore, who just seems like he's going to get horribly undervalued because you can't look at him and think "first round quarterback") will end up being Cousins because 1) he has first round ability and profiles favorably to one or two of the guys I listed above, and 2) he's just going to get buried into the third round (if not later) by the remarkable depth of this draft.

Basically, you're looking at two guys going in the top five or six picks (or three if the Redskins reach), and another two or three going before the end of the first round. Foles isn't going to make it past pick 40. So that's five guys who will be gone by the time the Redskins are slated to pick in round 2.

And IMO, two other guys with first round quarterback abilities who are going to get driven down the board because of highly superficial concerns about their ability to hold up in the pros as starters. And, well, because supply exceeds demand so that someone is going to get driven down.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=GTripp0012;873837]Luck, Griffin, Tannehill won't get out of the first round. I just don't think there's any way that Osweiler will either. That's a GTripp opinion right now, as he's really only a second or third round [U]value[/U] as a passer coming out. But so was Cam Newton.

Foles could end up being the third guy off the board or the fifth guy off the board.

The best value in this draft (outside of Kellen Moore, who just seems like he's going to get horribly undervalued because you can't look at him and think "first round quarterback") will end up being Cousins because 1) he has first round ability and profiles favorably to one or two of the guys I listed above, and 2) he's just going to get buried into the third round (if not later) by the remarkable depth of this draft.

Basically, you're looking at two guys going in the top five or six picks (or three if the Redskins reach), and another two or three going before the end of the first round. Foles isn't going to make it past pick 40. So that's five guys who will be gone by the time the Redskins are slated to pick in round 2.

And IMO, two other guys with first round quarterback abilities who are going to get driven down the board because of highly superficial concerns about their ability to hold up in the pros as starters. And, well, because supply exceeds demand so that someone is going to get driven down.[/quote]

Cool that's helpful. So from your point of view - assuming we can't get Luck or Griffin - you're probably hoping to see us be patient and sometime after Round 1 snatch up whichever talented QB drops further than he should on draft day?

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=irish;873704]I think his size is a huge advantage as he should be harder to tackle and he can see over the line which the current starter struggles to do. Plus his accurate pocket passing style lends itself to success in the NFL much more than RGIII's run and throw semi-accurate passes style does.[/quote]

add on top of that he won't get batted down nearly as often as grossman

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=Schneed10;873848]Cool that's helpful. So from your point of view - assuming we can't get Luck or Griffin - you're probably hoping to see us be patient and sometime after Round 1 snatch up whichever talented QB drops further than he should on draft day?[/quote]I think that would be a good strategy for any team w/QB need, though I'm not sure it's a luxury the current coaching staff has.

I think it seems to be breaking in a certain way that Tannehill and Osweiler (and this is just speculation, particularly in Osweiler's case) will be overvalued assets on draft day while Kellen Moore, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles will be undervalued. But that doesn't mean I would wait around until the top four QBs get taken to make a move in the draft to get a QB. I could see Philadelphia targeting Osweiler in the first round and so I may be willing to have the Redskins trade up ahead of Philly to get him, IF they think he can play. Sure, that'd be reaching for him, but the guy has a boatload of talent.

I'm also not sure how Brandon Weeden will play into this. He will on some level, but at 29 years old next year, I'm one of those who believes his advanced age calls [B]everything[/B] about his college career into question. When you see it in numbers, it was a really sensational career and someone will take him in the mid rounds for his abilities, but then I go back on tape and watch Kellen Moore against Weeden and it's easy to see why he will be lost in the depth of this class.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Only saw one ASU game and it was against Boise. This guy looked like shit. Maybe cause it was against a tough opponent but I just wasn't impressed. He seemed to move pretty well for a big guy, but he wasn't accurate, threw into coverage, missed open wr's, he needs another year of college ball IMO.

Another thing,..Pac Ten QB's really seem to be tough to grade cause they play in a conference that doesn't play defense. How many Pac Ten Qb's have come into the NFL and failed?? Ryan Leaf, Andrew Walter, Kyle Boller, Tommy Maddox, Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, Cade McNown, Todd Marinavich, Kellen Clemons, John David Booty, Matt Leinart...Sanchez is turing out to be not as good as advertised. I'm probably missing a few but I don't think a conference has had more misses than the Pac Ten. Of course the best Pac Ten QB of all time is Mark Rypien!!!

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=skinsfan69;873969]Only saw one ASU game and it was against Boise. This guy looked like shit. Maybe cause it was against a tough opponent but I just wasn't impressed. He seemed to move pretty well for a big guy, but he wasn't accurate, threw into coverage, missed open wr's, he needs another year of college ball IMO.

Another thing,..Pac Ten QB's really seem to be tough to grade cause they play in a conference that doesn't play defense. How many Pac Ten Qb's have come into the NFL and failed?? Ryan Leaf, Andrew Walter, Kyle Boller, Tommy Maddox, Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, Cade McNown, Todd Marinavich, Kellen Clemons, John David Booty, Matt Leinart...Sanchez is turing out to be not as good as advertised. I'm probably missing a few but I don't think a conference has had more misses than the Pac Ten. Of course the best Pac Ten QB of all time is Mark Rypien!!![/quote]

Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Dan Fouts, Warren Moon, Jim Plunkett and Troy Aikman weren't too shabby.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;873970]Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Dan Fouts, Warren Moon, Jim Plunkett and Troy Aikman weren't too shabby.[/quote]

Agreed.. although Plunkett didn't have success until much later on in his career. My point is Pac Ten QB's seem to have more guys taken early that fail, for what ever reason.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=skinsfan69;873980]Agreed.. although Plunkett didn't have success until much later on in his career. My point is Pac Ten QB's seem to have more guys taken early that fail, for what ever reason.[/quote]

The Pac 10 was better defensively when Plunkett and Fouts played.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

I think we can't discount the fact that anyone named Brock is an undeniable douche.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

IDK Brandon Weeden looked good in his bowl game beating Stanford with Luck. Weeden is 6-4 and is around 218lbs. I'd take him in the 2nd round, whoever is the best WR in the 1st round and pick up a FA QB.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=SBXVII;874021]IDK Brandon Weeden looked good in his bowl game beating Stanford with Luck. Weeden is 6-4 and is around 218lbs. I'd take him in the 2nd round, whoever is the best WR in the 1st round and pick up a FA QB.[/quote]

The major downside is that he is already 28. When he acclimated fully to the nfl he'll be 31-32ish. I'd rather have someone far younger that we can mold.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=mbedner3420;874028]The major downside is that he is already 28. When he acclimated fully to the nfl he'll be 31-32ish. I'd rather have someone far younger that we can mold.[/quote]

Let me ask you this.... serious question.... Luck or RGIII is going to acclimate to the NFL better or quicker? You basically saying that he will take 2-4 yrs to acclimate. Newton didn't take that long. Tebow didn't take that long. The QB I wanted the team to take and didn't Andy Dalton was supposed to be a 3rd ro 4th rounder this time last year... he didn't take 2-4 yrs to acclimate.

I'm not pointing a finger at you but some fans here get one player in mind and tune themselves out to any other options.

Luck- is the only good QB. We have to do whatever it costs to get him.

RGIII- Luck will be gone, RGIII is a qualified next best, we have to sell the farm to leap the Browns to get him.

Tannehill- is a decent 2nd rounder that won't be there then cause some team will over reach in the 1st round for him because they don't want to lose out on the QB battles this year.

Everyone else- not worthy.

VETS:

Flynn- Although being in the league for a few years, stayed with the same team the whole time, knows the WCO systems, and has filled in nicely now and then..... basically has not proved himself so he's not worthy.

Hoyer(N.E)- See above.

Orton- No better, no worse then Grossman. Failed with the Bears..demoted..traded. Failed with Bronco's... demoted.

Cassel- 30y/o, although is safer with the ball and does not throw as many INT's, he was not spectacular with the Cheifs. If he fits this style of WCO and its similar to what the Patriots run offensively then bring him, otherwise pass due to age and declining talent.

I know I'm being cynical but this is almost how everyone acts. Out of the bunch apparently there is no good QB's. There will be a need to bring in a Vet to replace Beck. Apparently Crompton is staying so they can evaluate him further as Preseason fodder. Whether Grossman stays or goes is the biggie, if he stays obviously there will only be a need for 1 Vet, if he goes I'd imagine the team bringing in two Vets and signing a Rookie possibly two one being a UDFA. Letting all 5 QB's compete; Vet, Vet, Crompton, Rookie, UDFA. In the end I see Vet, 1st or 2nd round Rookie, UDFA.

and if we are all in for new talent, non aged QB's, healthy, and can play in the NFL, and have not been beaten up then I'd take:

Flynn/Hoyer (Vet)
Tannehill/Weeden (Developmental Rookie)
Late Draft Pick/UDFA (Practice Squad)

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=mbedner3420;874028]The major downside is that he is already 28. When he acclimated fully to the nfl he'll be 31-32ish. I'd rather have someone far younger that we can mold.[/quote]
YEEooow. I hope that is like....dog years. Was he in the service or just a slow learner? Well, on the positive side I guess he knows about 63 ways to kill a man with his bare hands. That should help with the occasional overzealous Linebacker....

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Kellen Moore , BSU , maybe rd 2 or 3 .

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

^Sometimes being healthy, wealthy, and wise is a plus over being healthy, wealthy, and immature... TW and Davis are poster children for that.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=Hog1;874081]YEEooow. I hope that is like....dog years. Was he in the service or just a slow learner? Well, on the positive side I guess he knows about 63 ways to kill a man with his bare hands. That should help with the occasional overzealous Linebacker....[/quote]

Brandon Weeden was drafted out of high school by the Yankees in 2002 (He was an All-State baseball AND basketball player... athlete!) and was interestingly enough traded to the Dodgers with Jeff Weaver for Kevin Brown in 2004.

He played 5 seasons in the minor leagues before enrolling at OSU.

Hey... If we draft Blackmon in the 1st, and he's available in the 4th... why not? If anyone, besides Moore, is going to be undervalued... it'd be Weeden due to his age.

Hell, why not take him AND Moore (in the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th) if we can?

Do I think he would step in and be worse than Grossman? I don't know.... I don't think he's that bad.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/How-does-Arizona-State-QB-Brock-Osweiler-stack-up.html]How does Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler stack up? | National Football Post[/url]

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=NM Redskin;874142][url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/How-does-Arizona-State-QB-Brock-Osweiler-stack-up.html]How does Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler stack up? | National Football Post[/url][/quote]Good read. I was waiting for Wes Bunting to weigh in.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Living in AZ I watch almost all the ASU games, which can be brutal at times however there are some shining moments. One is Brock at QB, by no means was he the down fall of the ASU team. In fact if they didn't blow so many games with stupid penalities, fumbles, poor defense his stock would be way higher. That being said, IF we can't get RGIII or make a crazy run at LUCK this kid is a STUD. He throws a sweet ball and can see over anything. I don't know what round he is predicted in I jumped in late to this thread but I think he would be a top 3 round type of dude. I wonder if Shanny would roll with another ASU alum.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Basketball skills, 6-8, 240 lbs. Sounds like a TE prospect.

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

[quote=DCtoAZ;874255]Living in AZ I watch almost all the ASU games, which can be brutal at times however there are some shining moments. One is Brock at QB, by no means was he the down fall of the ASU team. In fact if they didn't blow so many games with stupid penalities, fumbles, poor defense his stock would be way higher. That being said, IF we can't get RGIII or make a crazy run at LUCK this kid is a STUD. He throws a sweet ball and can see over anything. I don't know what round he is predicted in I jumped in late to this thread but I think he would be a top 3 round type of dude. I wonder if Shanny would roll with another ASU alum.[/quote]

Living in Arizona, who impresses you more and would you rather have for the skins; Foles or brock

Re: Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler declares for NFL Draft
 

Two Bama boys declare.
I'd love to get Kirkpatrick, but hes first round material.

[url=http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/23144/Alabama-s-Richardson--Kirkpatrick-going-pro/Default.aspx]Alabama's Richardson, Kirkpatrick going pro[/url]