PFF's Mason Cameron - 2024 NFL Draft: Highest-graded quarterbacks in every category
CLEAN-POCKET GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (93.4)
When the protection holds up and Williams is given adequate time to work, there isn’t a better passer in the nation. Without pressure, the Trojans' signal-caller amassed 17 big-time throws with just two turnover-worthy plays in 2023, with the latter being the lowest of any eligible passer in this year’s class.
PRESSURED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.2)
Nix established himself as the far and away best passer when under pressure this past season, with his 91.2 grade sitting more than 18 points on the grading scale above the next highest grader. The Oregon product recorded an outstanding 9-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio when pressured.
BLITZED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON & JOHN RHYS PLUMLEE, UCF (90.6)
Just three passers surpassed the 90.0 grading threshold against the blitz, with Nix and Plumlee sharing this title among draft hopefuls. Nix made few mistakes when faced with blitzes, totaling 21 touchdowns and zero turnover-worthy plays, both of which pace the class. While Plumlee may not have thrown nearly as many touchdowns, he attacked the defenses that blitzed him, producing a 12.6-yard average target depth and a 61.6% air-yards rate.
PLAY-ACTION GRADE: MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (93.0)
Washington made effective use of run action all season long, a scheme in which Penix excelled. The former Husky led the class in play-action dropbacks (198) this past season, from which he produced 18 big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays while amassing 96 first-downs — all of which led this year’s prospects.
THROWS PAST THE STICKS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU & BO NIX, OREGON (94.
Needless to say, former transfers Daniels and Nix both attacked opposing defenses this past season, with each throwing more than 37% of their passes beyond the sticks. That aggressive approach allowed them to produce fantastic numbers, including each surpassing 30 touchdowns with sub-3% turnover-worthy play rates when targeting past the sticks.
SHORT PASSING GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (90.7)
Williams has the awareness to orchestrate the timing and tempo needed to efficiently run the short-passing game. The Trojans' signal-caller produced 7.3 yards per attempt with an incredible 84.4% adjusted completion rate on throws targets nine yards or less downfield, all without recording a turnover-worthy play — one of just two draft-eligible quarterbacks to throw none.
INTERMEDIATE PASSING GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (94.7)
The Oregon standout had a knack for finding the soft spots of FBS defenses and using a defender’s leverage against them, which allowed him to attack the intermediate parts of the field (10-19 yards) with ease. Nix showed off incredible ball placement, particularly when targeting back-shoulder routes, in the intermediate passing game, where he racked up 16 scores and just a single turnover-worthy play.
DEEP PASSING GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (99.2)
The Heisman Trophy winner has a rocket for an arm, and he wasn’t afraid to make full use of it this past season. Daniels produced a phenomenal, class-leading 63.3% adjusted completion rate with 22.4 yards per attempt and a 142.4 passer rating on deep throws.
FIRST- AND SECOND-DOWN GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU; BO NIX, OREGON; & MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (91.3)
Keeping an offense on schedule on early downs is one of the more stable metrics when evaluating quarterback play. Daniels managed an impressive 140.7 passer rating on first and second downs, while Penix tallied 40 big-time throws and Nix produced an 83.9% adjusted completion rate.
THIRD- AND FOURTH-DOWN GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.
Accuracy on late downs was undoubtedly a strong point of Nix’s game this past season. The Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year managed an outstanding 82.3% adjusted completion rate on third and fourth downs while targeting 50.5% of his throws past the sticks. Additionally, Nix surrendered just a single sack on 113 late-down dropbacks.
RED-ZONE GRADE: SAM HARTMAN, NOTRE DAME (88.
While he took just 41 dropbacks in the red zone, Hartman produced class-leading marks in big-time throw rate (8.1%) and adjusted completion percentage (83.3%). Perhaps more impressively, 12 of Hartman’s 24 completions resulted in scores.
OUTSIDE THE POCKET GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (87.9)
Nix boasts the requisite athleticism to make plays from outside the pocket. When flushed in 2023, he produced an 81.7% adjusted completion rate and a 65.2% air-yards rate on his way to nine passing touchdowns and just a pair of interceptions.
THROWS OUTSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (92.
It takes immense arm talent to attack outside the numbers at a high level, something Daniels displayed time and time again in 2023. The LSU standout flashed his strong arm often with impressive throws outside, totaling a 14.1% big-time throw rate and a 144.4 passer rating — both top marks in the class.
THROWS INSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: DRAKE MAYE, NORTH CAROLINA (93.4)
The North Carolina signal-caller displayed masterful control when attacking inside the numbers. Maye took advantage of the middle of defenses often with a variety of concepts that allowed him to target all levels of the field. His 17 big-time throws led the class, along with an impressive 1.2% turnover-worthy play rate that ranked second among 2024 draft prospects.
WOW!!!! Bo Nix dominates. I mean DOMINATES.
VikingsVictorious wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:01 amPFF's Mason Cameron - 2024 NFL Draft: Highest-graded quarterbacks in every category
CLEAN-POCKET GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (93.4)
When the protection holds up and Williams is given adequate time to work, there isn’t a better passer in the nation. Without pressure, the Trojans' signal-caller amassed 17 big-time throws with just two turnover-worthy plays in 2023, with the latter being the lowest of any eligible passer in this year’s class.
PRESSURED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.2)
Nix established himself as the far and away best passer when under pressure this past season, with his 91.2 grade sitting more than 18 points on the grading scale above the next highest grader. The Oregon product recorded an outstanding 9-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio when pressured.
BLITZED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON & JOHN RHYS PLUMLEE, UCF (90.6)
Just three passers surpassed the 90.0 grading threshold against the blitz, with Nix and Plumlee sharing this title among draft hopefuls. Nix made few mistakes when faced with blitzes, totaling 21 touchdowns and zero turnover-worthy plays, both of which pace the class. While Plumlee may not have thrown nearly as many touchdowns, he attacked the defenses that blitzed him, producing a 12.6-yard average target depth and a 61.6% air-yards rate.
PLAY-ACTION GRADE: MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (93.0)
Washington made effective use of run action all season long, a scheme in which Penix excelled. The former Husky led the class in play-action dropbacks (198) this past season, from which he produced 18 big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays while amassing 96 first-downs — all of which led this year’s prospects.
THROWS PAST THE STICKS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU & BO NIX, OREGON (94.
Needless to say, former transfers Daniels and Nix both attacked opposing defenses this past season, with each throwing more than 37% of their passes beyond the sticks. That aggressive approach allowed them to produce fantastic numbers, including each surpassing 30 touchdowns with sub-3% turnover-worthy play rates when targeting past the sticks.
SHORT PASSING GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (90.7)
Williams has the awareness to orchestrate the timing and tempo needed to efficiently run the short-passing game. The Trojans' signal-caller produced 7.3 yards per attempt with an incredible 84.4% adjusted completion rate on throws targets nine yards or less downfield, all without recording a turnover-worthy play — one of just two draft-eligible quarterbacks to throw none.
INTERMEDIATE PASSING GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (94.7)
The Oregon standout had a knack for finding the soft spots of FBS defenses and using a defender’s leverage against them, which allowed him to attack the intermediate parts of the field (10-19 yards) with ease. Nix showed off incredible ball placement, particularly when targeting back-shoulder routes, in the intermediate passing game, where he racked up 16 scores and just a single turnover-worthy play.
DEEP PASSING GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (99.2)
The Heisman Trophy winner has a rocket for an arm, and he wasn’t afraid to make full use of it this past season. Daniels produced a phenomenal, class-leading 63.3% adjusted completion rate with 22.4 yards per attempt and a 142.4 passer rating on deep throws.
FIRST- AND SECOND-DOWN GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU; BO NIX, OREGON; & MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (91.3)
Keeping an offense on schedule on early downs is one of the more stable metrics when evaluating quarterback play. Daniels managed an impressive 140.7 passer rating on first and second downs, while Penix tallied 40 big-time throws and Nix produced an 83.9% adjusted completion rate.
THIRD- AND FOURTH-DOWN GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.
Accuracy on late downs was undoubtedly a strong point of Nix’s game this past season. The Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year managed an outstanding 82.3% adjusted completion rate on third and fourth downs while targeting 50.5% of his throws past the sticks. Additionally, Nix surrendered just a single sack on 113 late-down dropbacks.
RED-ZONE GRADE: SAM HARTMAN, NOTRE DAME (88.
While he took just 41 dropbacks in the red zone, Hartman produced class-leading marks in big-time throw rate (8.1%) and adjusted completion percentage (83.3%). Perhaps more impressively, 12 of Hartman’s 24 completions resulted in scores.
OUTSIDE THE POCKET GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (87.9)
Nix boasts the requisite athleticism to make plays from outside the pocket. When flushed in 2023, he produced an 81.7% adjusted completion rate and a 65.2% air-yards rate on his way to nine passing touchdowns and just a pair of interceptions.
THROWS OUTSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (92.
It takes immense arm talent to attack outside the numbers at a high level, something Daniels displayed time and time again in 2023. The LSU standout flashed his strong arm often with impressive throws outside, totaling a 14.1% big-time throw rate and a 144.4 passer rating — both top marks in the class.
THROWS INSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: DRAKE MAYE, NORTH CAROLINA (93.4)
The North Carolina signal-caller displayed masterful control when attacking inside the numbers. Maye took advantage of the middle of defenses often with a variety of concepts that allowed him to target all levels of the field. His 17 big-time throws led the class, along with an impressive 1.2% turnover-worthy play rate that ranked second among 2024 draft prospects.
WOW!!!! Bo Nix dominates. I mean DOMINATES.
Based on this Nix and Daniels should go 1 and 2. Is there a way we can also get the missile Nabors so Jayden can launch rockets to him? That would keep the safeties back. JJM don't show up anywhere. Maybe the media has placed too much hype? Harbough might grab his kid in round 2 or 3. Good for Maye he made the list. Penix made it also but you better have a top notch OL. With nothing at guard and a center that gets stuffed backwards we don't look like the best fit for a statue. Perhaps the Rams so they have a guy behind Stafford? He gets hurt and misses a few each year.
VikingsVictorious wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:01 amPFF's Mason Cameron - 2024 NFL Draft: Highest-graded quarterbacks in every category
CLEAN-POCKET GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (93.4)
When the protection holds up and Williams is given adequate time to work, there isn’t a better passer in the nation. Without pressure, the Trojans' signal-caller amassed 17 big-time throws with just two turnover-worthy plays in 2023, with the latter being the lowest of any eligible passer in this year’s class.
PRESSURED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.2)
Nix established himself as the far and away best passer when under pressure this past season, with his 91.2 grade sitting more than 18 points on the grading scale above the next highest grader. The Oregon product recorded an outstanding 9-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio when pressured.
BLITZED GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON & JOHN RHYS PLUMLEE, UCF (90.6)
Just three passers surpassed the 90.0 grading threshold against the blitz, with Nix and Plumlee sharing this title among draft hopefuls. Nix made few mistakes when faced with blitzes, totaling 21 touchdowns and zero turnover-worthy plays, both of which pace the class. While Plumlee may not have thrown nearly as many touchdowns, he attacked the defenses that blitzed him, producing a 12.6-yard average target depth and a 61.6% air-yards rate.
PLAY-ACTION GRADE: MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (93.0)
Washington made effective use of run action all season long, a scheme in which Penix excelled. The former Husky led the class in play-action dropbacks (198) this past season, from which he produced 18 big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays while amassing 96 first-downs — all of which led this year’s prospects.
THROWS PAST THE STICKS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU & BO NIX, OREGON (94.
Needless to say, former transfers Daniels and Nix both attacked opposing defenses this past season, with each throwing more than 37% of their passes beyond the sticks. That aggressive approach allowed them to produce fantastic numbers, including each surpassing 30 touchdowns with sub-3% turnover-worthy play rates when targeting past the sticks.
SHORT PASSING GRADE: CALEB WILLIAMS, USC (90.7)
Williams has the awareness to orchestrate the timing and tempo needed to efficiently run the short-passing game. The Trojans' signal-caller produced 7.3 yards per attempt with an incredible 84.4% adjusted completion rate on throws targets nine yards or less downfield, all without recording a turnover-worthy play — one of just two draft-eligible quarterbacks to throw none.
INTERMEDIATE PASSING GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (94.7)
The Oregon standout had a knack for finding the soft spots of FBS defenses and using a defender’s leverage against them, which allowed him to attack the intermediate parts of the field (10-19 yards) with ease. Nix showed off incredible ball placement, particularly when targeting back-shoulder routes, in the intermediate passing game, where he racked up 16 scores and just a single turnover-worthy play.
DEEP PASSING GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (99.2)
The Heisman Trophy winner has a rocket for an arm, and he wasn’t afraid to make full use of it this past season. Daniels produced a phenomenal, class-leading 63.3% adjusted completion rate with 22.4 yards per attempt and a 142.4 passer rating on deep throws.
FIRST- AND SECOND-DOWN GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU; BO NIX, OREGON; & MICHAEL PENIX JR., WASHINGTON (91.3)
Keeping an offense on schedule on early downs is one of the more stable metrics when evaluating quarterback play. Daniels managed an impressive 140.7 passer rating on first and second downs, while Penix tallied 40 big-time throws and Nix produced an 83.9% adjusted completion rate.
THIRD- AND FOURTH-DOWN GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (91.
Accuracy on late downs was undoubtedly a strong point of Nix’s game this past season. The Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year managed an outstanding 82.3% adjusted completion rate on third and fourth downs while targeting 50.5% of his throws past the sticks. Additionally, Nix surrendered just a single sack on 113 late-down dropbacks.
RED-ZONE GRADE: SAM HARTMAN, NOTRE DAME (88.
While he took just 41 dropbacks in the red zone, Hartman produced class-leading marks in big-time throw rate (8.1%) and adjusted completion percentage (83.3%). Perhaps more impressively, 12 of Hartman’s 24 completions resulted in scores.
OUTSIDE THE POCKET GRADE: BO NIX, OREGON (87.9)
Nix boasts the requisite athleticism to make plays from outside the pocket. When flushed in 2023, he produced an 81.7% adjusted completion rate and a 65.2% air-yards rate on his way to nine passing touchdowns and just a pair of interceptions.
THROWS OUTSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU (92.
It takes immense arm talent to attack outside the numbers at a high level, something Daniels displayed time and time again in 2023. The LSU standout flashed his strong arm often with impressive throws outside, totaling a 14.1% big-time throw rate and a 144.4 passer rating — both top marks in the class.
THROWS INSIDE THE NUMBERS GRADE: DRAKE MAYE, NORTH CAROLINA (93.4)
The North Carolina signal-caller displayed masterful control when attacking inside the numbers. Maye took advantage of the middle of defenses often with a variety of concepts that allowed him to target all levels of the field. His 17 big-time throws led the class, along with an impressive 1.2% turnover-worthy play rate that ranked second among 2024 draft prospects.
WOW!!!! Bo Nix dominates. I mean DOMINATES.
Based on this Nix and Daniels should go 1 and 2. Is there a way we can also get the missile Nabors so Jayden can launch rockets to him? That would keep the safeties back. JJM don't show up anywhere. Maybe the media has placed too much hype? Harbough might grab his kid in round 2 or 3. Good for Maye he made the list. Penix made it also but you better have a top notch OL. With nothing at guard and a center that gets stuffed backwards we don't look like the best fit for a statue. Perhaps the Rams so they have a guy behind Stafford? He gets hurt and misses a few each year.
Definitely Daniels after Nix. JJ doesn't show up here, but low volume probably influences that. I still like JJ.
CharVike wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:44 am
Based on this Nix and Daniels should go 1 and 2. Is there a way we can also get the missile Nabors so Jayden can launch rockets to him? That would keep the safeties back. JJM don't show up anywhere. Maybe the media has placed too much hype? Harbough might grab his kid in round 2 or 3. Good for Maye he made the list. Penix made it also but you better have a top notch OL. With nothing at guard and a center that gets stuffed backwards we don't look like the best fit for a statue. Perhaps the Rams so they have a guy behind Stafford? He gets hurt and misses a few each year.
Definitely Daniels after Nix. JJ doesn't show up here, but low volume probably influences that. I still like JJ.
Nix is a nice prospect. He actually did it more than once. Somebody mentioned Penix and he also did it more than once. Maye and JJ more than once. I'm to the point whoever they pick they pick. I have no idea who the best is for them or who if any will be a franchise guy. If this draft produces 1 franchise guy it will be a shock. Many will get picked by teams that have no clue what they are doing. Like the Giants. They are screwed. Year 3 of a rebuild shouldn't be the time of sinking but rising after a few drafts and other moves.
VikingsVictorious wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:08 am
Definitely Daniels after Nix. JJ doesn't show up here, but low volume probably influences that. I still like JJ.
Nix is a nice prospect. He actually did it more than once. Somebody mentioned Penix and he also did it more than once. Maye and JJ more than once. I'm to the point whoever they pick they pick. I have no idea who the best is for them or who if any will be a franchise guy. If this draft produces 1 franchise guy it will be a shock. Many will get picked by teams that have no clue what they are doing. Like the Giants. They are screwed. Year 3 of a rebuild shouldn't be the time of sinking but rising after a few drafts and other moves.
You are right. That's why I just ask for us to stick and pick.
CharVike wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:39 am
Nix is a nice prospect. He actually did it more than once. Somebody mentioned Penix and he also did it more than once. Maye and JJ more than once. I'm to the point whoever they pick they pick. I have no idea who the best is for them or who if any will be a franchise guy. If this draft produces 1 franchise guy it will be a shock. Many will get picked by teams that have no clue what they are doing. Like the Giants. They are screwed. Year 3 of a rebuild shouldn't be the time of sinking but rising after a few drafts and other moves.
You are right. That's why I just ask for us to stick and pick.
That might be the best choice especially if a bunch of players get pushed down. But I get the feeling KAM will try and get his guy and pay the price to do that if his guy appears to be taken. He's basically in a no choice position. It's either a homerun or strike out. Both will make the headlines for different reasons. It will give him some breathing room and maybe a new contract.
One last thing I hope they have been looking for a QB over the last couple seasons and I think they have. They kept Kirk with that first deal but then turned him down. They have to have a guy in their mind already. Mark Wilf said they got that extra pick for flexibility. Who that guy is nobody knows but them.
VikingsVictorious wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:51 am
You are right. That's why I just ask for us to stick and pick.
That might be the best choice especially if a bunch of players get pushed down. But I get the feeling KAM will try and get his guy and pay the price to do that if his guy appears to be taken. He's basically in a no choice position. It's either a homerun or strike out. Both will make the headlines for different reasons. It will give him some breathing room and maybe a new contract.
One last thing I hope they have been looking for a QB over the last couple seasons and I think they have. They kept Kirk with that first deal but then turned him down. They have to have a guy in their mind already. Mark Wilf said they got that extra pick for flexibility. Who that guy is nobody knows but them.
Yep. I hate us trading up, but I'm 90% confident that we do. Preparing myself for the worst and hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
Nix is not getting nearly the hype of the other top QB prospects for some reason, and short of an unprecedented stampede at QB at the top of the draft, I think Nix is highly likely to still be on the board when the 11th pick rolls around, which means at least in terms of proven productivity, the Vikings would be drafting probably the most pro-ready QB in this class.
One other thing that jumps out of the provided stats is just how speculative a prospect McCarthy is. I mean, he literally shows up nowhere in that list in any category. He is by far the biggest gamble in this year's QB class IMHO.
In fact, reading over the names on that list goes back to the desperation post I made earlier in this thread and how a good GM takes advantage of the mistakes of others rather than allowing himself to fall into the same traps. The hype around a lot of the top QBs in this draft should increase the odds of a less-sexy, but perhaps better prospect, falling. To some degree, that is what happened when the Vikings got Justin Jefferson the year he came out. Like Nix, JJ was a proven commodity in terms of college production and was generally regarded as the most pro-ready of the receivers that came out this year, but he didn't have as much hype around him because he didn't stand out physically like the receivers that were taken ahead of him. Its possible they just got lucky in that draft, but getting a proven talent like JJ where they got him is exactly the sort of move that a savvy GM makes, while a desperate GM chases the flashy prospects who just need time to "develop".
I still think 11 is way too high for Nix even though I think he's a good choice there, but QB inflation being what it is I wouldn't be terribly upset if KAM takes him there.
VikingLord wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:34 pm
Could the Vikings sit at 11 and take Nix there?
Nix is not getting nearly the hype of the other top QB prospects for some reason, and short of an unprecedented stampede at QB at the top of the draft, I think Nix is highly likely to still be on the board when the 11th pick rolls around, which means at least in terms of proven productivity, the Vikings would be drafting probably the most pro-ready QB in this class.
One other thing that jumps out of the provided stats is just how speculative a prospect McCarthy is. I mean, he literally shows up nowhere in that list in any category. He is by far the biggest gamble in this year's QB class IMHO.
In fact, reading over the names on that list goes back to the desperation post I made earlier in this thread and how a good GM takes advantage of the mistakes of others rather than allowing himself to fall into the same traps. The hype around a lot of the top QBs in this draft should increase the odds of a less-sexy, but perhaps better prospect, falling. To some degree, that is what happened when the Vikings got Justin Jefferson the year he came out. Like Nix, JJ was a proven commodity in terms of college production and was generally regarded as the most pro-ready of the receivers that came out this year, but he didn't have as much hype around him because he didn't stand out physically like the receivers that were taken ahead of him. Its possible they just got lucky in that draft, but getting a proven talent like JJ where they got him is exactly the sort of move that a savvy GM makes, while a desperate GM chases the flashy prospects who just need time to "develop".
I still think 11 is way too high for Nix even though I think he's a good choice there, but QB inflation being what it is I wouldn't be terribly upset if KAM takes him there.
I just see all kinds of great players still on the board at 23, but I think all the priority QBs will be gone. Best QB at 11 BPA at 23.As for Nix if we don't take him sooner and the Broncos don't trade up the will take Nix at 12. I wouldn't bet my life on it, but I'm pretty sure it will happen.
I don’t understand the contract stuff. Can it not be renegotiated/reorganized/renamed or allow the Vikings to absorb some of that? Ya know how teams will give players the same money, but call half of it a “bonus” or something so it doesn’t hit the cap, or shift the cost down the line over several years.
Bucky Brooks put out a mock draft today that had the Pats taking JJM, and Maye slipped to the Vikes at 11, then we got Cooper DeJean at 23. Made my mouth water.
That scenario would be super sweet.
If anyone slips please let it be McCarthy. I keep watching the tape and he’s better than Maye in almost everything imo. What scares me more is the more professional opinions I watch or listen to agree McCarthy day 1 is far better to plug and play than Maye, so who knows who falls. I do know I seen that quiet but angry vibe from McCarthy after the season before. Maye didn’t have that killer drive imo.
“I remember my mistakes more than my success.” - Adrian Peterson
If anyone slips please let it be McCarthy. I keep watching the tape and he’s better than Maye in almost everything imo. What scares me more is the more professional opinions I watch or listen to agree McCarthy day 1 is far better to plug and play than Maye, so who knows who falls. I do know I seen that quiet but angry vibe from McCarthy after the season before. Maye didn’t have that killer drive imo.
I'm with you McCarthy over Maye, but I'm also Nix and Penix over Maye.
Lads, none of us know what the future may hold. But I can’t help but feel like this is a QB class unlike any other we’ve seen recently. So I’m cautiously optimistic about any QB we take (assuming it’s Daniels/Maye/JJM/Penix/Nix). But since the feeling for who may/may not pan out is so drastically different between the “professionals”/scouts all the way down to the common beer drinking couch potato like me, it seems the obvious smart decision is to sit and pick. I’ve developed a man crush on Cooper DeJean. That guy WILL be good in this league. And the elephant in the room, most likely…… is that any rook QB we draft will not start until MINIMUM halfway through the first season barring injury. Most likely not even in the first year unless there is an injury. KOC’s offense is not conducive for a day 1 rook starter. And maybe that is for the best. Kwesi said he doesn’t like the term “bridge QB” for Darnold, which in PR talk, means that Darnold was brought to be exactly that… the bridge QB. Buys the GM another year on the job with the understanding that “had to let the Rook marinate for a year to capture his full potential”. Then it takes 3 years after that for a 1st rd QB to either succeed or fail. So this draft is significant, because we are looking at our team/coach/GM for the next 4 years at least.
I still think 11 is way too high for Nix even though I think he's a good choice there, but QB inflation being what it is I wouldn't be terribly upset if KAM takes him there.
VikingLord wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:34 pm
Could the Vikings sit at 11 and take Nix there?
Nix is not getting nearly the hype of the other top QB prospects for some reason, and short of an unprecedented stampede at QB at the top of the draft, I think Nix is highly likely to still be on the board when the 11th pick rolls around, which means at least in terms of proven productivity, the Vikings would be drafting probably the most pro-ready QB in this class.
One other thing that jumps out of the provided stats is just how speculative a prospect McCarthy is. I mean, he literally shows up nowhere in that list in any category. He is by far the biggest gamble in this year's QB class IMHO.
In fact, reading over the names on that list goes back to the desperation post I made earlier in this thread and how a good GM takes advantage of the mistakes of others rather than allowing himself to fall into the same traps. The hype around a lot of the top QBs in this draft should increase the odds of a less-sexy, but perhaps better prospect, falling. To some degree, that is what happened when the Vikings got Justin Jefferson the year he came out. Like Nix, JJ was a proven commodity in terms of college production and was generally regarded as the most pro-ready of the receivers that came out this year, but he didn't have as much hype around him because he didn't stand out physically like the receivers that were taken ahead of him. Its possible they just got lucky in that draft, but getting a proven talent like JJ where they got him is exactly the sort of move that a savvy GM makes, while a desperate GM chases the flashy prospects who just need time to "develop".
I still think 11 is way too high for Nix even though I think he's a good choice there, but QB inflation being what it is I wouldn't be terribly upset if KAM takes him there.
JJ also came into a situation that had a veteran accurate QB. The guy the Rams pick Puka Nacua didn't light up college and fell to round 5. He was the best rookie WR and broke records. He was a roll of the dice pick and it worked year 1. He also had a good vet QB. Where you go as a rookie is key.
VV has liked Nix from day 1 which is fine. I looked at Nix tape and he and JJM have a style that is the same. Basically looks like the same guy. They both roll out of trouble and then look for a guy or take off. But JJM has better physical skills. He gets away from the clutter quicker and when the ball comes out it is much faster. I know some don't think it matters but JJM is a 21 YO true JR. Nix is a 5th year senior. That's a 2 year jump in development. Nix could be maxed already. Maye has a style that to me is similar to Stafford as he climbs the pocket and can see over the bodies in front of him looking for a target. His height is a big advantage. But he seems clumsy from that height. Who knows.
I still think 11 is way too high for Nix even though I think he's a good choice there, but QB inflation being what it is I wouldn't be terribly upset if KAM takes him there.
I truly doubt Nix makes it past 3-4.
It would be shocking if Nix is picked with the 3rd or 4th pick. Some people have him out of the first round.
