2008 NFL Pre-Draft Rankings: Quarterbacks

As the 2008 NFL Draft approaches and I pour over the different positions, I always look at it with an eye for the angle in regards to the type of fantasy football help the players can provide both immediately and in the long term. After reviewing the 2008 NFL Draft QB class, I find myself thinking that much like the 2005 NFL Draft class has turned out to be, are there any potential stars here? Will any of these QB’s earn his way to a high position in fantasy football rankings in future years, let alone provide even a chance of being a decent fantasy football tip player in 2008? As I stated in my fantasy football blog, none of the QB’s stands out as being a sure fire prospect for greatness and while this probably means that several of them will become studs (since after all, I do get these things wrong sometimes), I am not holding my breath in anticipation of any of this year’s passers making any type news for fantasy football purposes. However, for NFL purposes, there are two QB’s who will drafted in the first round and a total of at least 4 on the first day. As for your fantasy football draft, there’s not likely to be anyone here who garners much attention come August.

1) Matt Ryan, Boston College, 6’4 ¾”, 222 lbs: Ryan has shot up the rankings for the rookie QB’s after a solid 2007 campaign at BC. A strong, vocal leader with good arm strength, Ryan will be the first QB taken in the 2008 NFL Draft. But talk of him being worth the first overall pick is ridiculous and by no means is he a sure thing to succeed at the NFL level. Ryan makes smart decisions with the football and doesn’t flinch when under pressure. Not a running QB, but mobile enough to avoid the rush. The biggest knock on him is that he doesn’t have a quick release and that allows defenders to get a jump on his passes. While it’s expected that the Atlanta Falcons will probably take him with the third overall pick of round 1, if they pass on him, the next 3 teams who would likely take him are the Chiefs (5^th overall), the Ravens (8^th overall), and the Panthers (13^th overall).

2) Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6’3 ½”, 232 lbs: A very productive 3 year starter in college, Brohm brings a great work ethic and comes from a football family. His greatest assets are his football IQ, accuracy (65.6 completion percentage as a starter for the last 3 seasons), and mechanics. He knows what to do, doesn’t get flustered, reads defenses as well as any QB in this year’s class and has a quick delivery. The drawbacks on him is that he isn’t a great athlete, lacks big time arm strength for the NFL level, and is not a strong or vocal leader, possessing a more passive demeanor. While he could be selected by any of the clubs I listed in Matt Ryan’s write-up, it’s more likely he slides down further to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at pick #20. I seriously doubt he slips out the first round altogether and at the latest I can see him going to the Green Bay Packers with the 30^th pick.

3) Joe Flacco, Delaware, 6’6 ¼”, 237 lbs: Blessed with a cannon for an arm, Flacco can make every throw asked of him and gets the ball to his receivers very quickly. His height allows him to see the field clearly and he makes smart decisions as his 41-15 TD-INT ratio the last two years as the starter at Delaware testify to. Reads defenses pretty well. Not a great athlete though and while he does a good job of avoiding the rush when pressured, he is no threat to take off and run. Another knock on Flacco is that he has faced small school competition at 1-AA Delaware and played in the shotgun than lined up under center. While he doesn’t get rattled when he makes a bad throw, neither is he a strong leader. Flacco reminds me a lot of Drew Bledsoe when he was coming into the NFL, albeit from a much smaller school. Many teams that passed on a QB in round 1 are likely looking to take Flacco in round 2.

4) Chad Henne, Michigan, 6’2 ¾”, 228 lbs: There’s no doubting that as a 4 year starter at a big time program like Michigan that Henne has faced the toughest competition of all the top rated QB’s in the 2008 NFL Draft class. Henne possesses a very strong arm, plays thru injuries and has a toughness about him that helps make him a strong leader on the field. Strands tall in the pocket and doesn’t get flustered into making a lot of mistakes when pressured. Has struggled throughout his career with his accuracy though, and he doesn’t seem to naturally sense the opposing pass rush in the pocket. Henne is probably the 4^th QB taken off the board on draft day and it should be somewhere around rounds 2 or 3.

5) John David Booty, USC, 6’2 ½”, 216 lbs: Purely a pocket passer, Booty has good arm strength and has played as a starter for two years at a big time college program. Has the poise to still stand tall in the pocket when being rushed and is very coachable. While poised, he can get flustered and off his game when consistently pressured. Also, his ability to read defenses and accuracy are erratic, especially when protection breaks down. While a decent athlete, he isn’t a QB who can make things happen with his legs. Still the USC tag commands a certain level of respect for his game and if drafted by a team that can work with him and has a west coast style of offense, he may be able to become a serviceable NFL QB.

The best of the rest:

Andre Woodson, Kentucky: Has the physical size and arm strength for the NFL, but does not get rid of the ball quickly and his mechanics are suspect. Will need work by a patient coaching staff if he is to translate his natural physical skills to the pro game.

Colt Brennan, Hawaii: Brennan is a product of the prolific run and shoot style of offense run at Hawaii and will probably struggle to make the adjustment to the pro level. Has enough size for the NFL, and a quick release, but his arm strength is very suspect and his accuracy deteriorates when throwing longer passes.

Erik Ainge, Tennessee: While Ainge looks the part of an NFL QB, he doesn’t have the arm strength you’d expect from a bigger QB and doesn’t possess the wheels to make plays with his legs. His experience is a plus though (has started 37 games in his college career) and he did put up 3,522 yards, 31 TD’s, and only 10 INT’s despite playing with a broken finger throughout 2007.

Josh Johnson, San Diego: Excelled against low level competition posting a 43-1 TD-INT ratio as a senior. Good athlete, leader, and decision maker, Johnson will need time to make the jump in level of competition in the NFL. Arm strength is suspect. Probably has a better future in the Arena League than the NFL.

 

Stay tuned as I analyze the the other skill positions for the 2008 NFL Draft and be sure to check out our free fantasy football mock draft software coming in early may