2007 NFL Draft QB Class
February 13, 2007
Each week the War Room Report
staff will discuss important issues as we lead up to the draft. This week's
topic is the 2007 NFL Draft Quarterback class.
1. How does the
2007 Quarterback class compare to recent years?
Rob Tribbett,
War Room Report Editor: Compared to recent classes, the 2007
QB class is very weak. Realistically, you have one or two possible stars, but
all of the top prospects have high bust factors. The biggest problem is the
lack of depth in the class. Many of the quarterbacks do not have the
physical tools to succeed at the next level and much of their college
success was because of the passing based spread offense in which they
operated. The
2007 Draft has three quarterback prospects better than this class.
Chris Otwell,
War Room Report NFL Writer: Over the past 5 years, I would
rate the 2007 QB class 4 of 5 classes as far as rankings, with only the
class of 2005 behind it. The only reason this year's class is ranked ahead
of '05, is that the top prospects in the class of a higher ceiling. There
is a HUGE gap of talent between the top '02, '04, and '06 classes and this
class.
Justin
Davis, War Room Report College Football Writer: I think the
QB class for the upcoming 2007 draft is much weaker than 2006's and
comparable to 2005's. Last year's big three were impressive in their
rookie seasons and appear to be setting the stage for a rivalry for years to
come. 2005's QB class was very weak in my opinion, with Smith going 1st
overall, Rodgers and Campbell in late Round One and no QB taken until Walter
at pick 69. I think Russell, Quinn, and Stanton will be in a similar
situation.
Matt
MacCoy, War Room Report Offensive Scout: I hate to be
pessimistic but I would say somewhere between poor and VERY poor. Maybe
this QB class receives the brunt of negativity following an exceptional QB
class in '06 that included Jay Cutler, Matt Leinart, and eventual Rookie of
the Year Vince Young. Not only does this class lack star power, but it also
lacks depth. After the top 3-5 QBs I am not necessarily sure that I would
target any of this years prospects regardless of the round. JaMarcus
Russell out of LSU and Brady Quinn out of Notre Dame could turn out to be
solid NFL QBs and Drew Stanton, former Michigan State QB could pan out as
well, but looking at the class as a whole, I am extremely skeptical.
2. Who is the
most underrated QB in this Class?
Tribbett: The most
underrated QB in this class is Trent Edwards of Stanford. Edwards, like Jay
Cutler last year, was hampered by a team that could not compete physically
on the field. Edwards was injured playing behind a porous offensive line and
had no skill players of note around him. Unlike Cutler, Edwards was one of
the top recruits out of high school. Given time to develop under a solid QB
coach, Edwards has a high chance to succeed relative to his draft position.
Otwell: The most
underrated QB in the class of 2007 would have to be Drew Stanton, if there
was a such thing this year. Stanton possesses the skills to be a better
overall QB than both Russell and Quinn if drafted by the right team. He has
a rocket arm and can throw on the move as well as either of them. Stanton
is still raw, playing at Michigan State, and we are yet to see the best of
him. Stanton could easily move up to the first round or early second round
with a good showing at the combine.
Davis: If you had told
me a month ago I would be saying this I would not have believed you but here
goes. I think that Troy Smith from Ohio State is the most underrated QB in
the draft. I do not think he is in the top 3 QB's this year, but looking at
what he's done in college it is hard for me to rank him as the 6th or 7th
best QB in this weak of a group as some do. Do I think he's a future All
Pro? No. Do I think he's better than Kolb, Beck, Moore, and Edwards?
Yes. If he ends up somewhere like Tampa Bay with a good coach and QB
friendly offense I think he'll be successful.
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