Good opinion. Serious question...
Why do you not see Ward and Sanders as blue chip players in today's NFL???
Thoughts on this Quarterback class
- Thread starter FordFairLane
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Why do you not see Ward and Sanders as blue chip players in today's NFL???
So the ACC doesn't play against quality competition? It's not the SEC, for sure, but I think most forget that collegiate dynasties have been obliterated because of NIL.
Players are following the money to 'play now' and that means they will switch teams if they don't get the playing time they want.
Back to Ward...
I'll summarize - his completion percentage is over 60% in his entire collegiate career (we must take into account that the pandemic adversely affected sports for two years so I can understand the 'extra year'). His worst year, turnover-wise, was the year he threw 10 INTs...but...he also threw for 47 TDs. Kenny Pickett would have jizzed himself.
He's not a 'run first QB' and from the games that I have watched - he's got that moxie NFL teams will salivate over.
Just my two cents, on Ward...
WindyCitySteel
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Threw 47 TDs for...
***checks notes***
Incarnate Word.
Sask was asking about quality competition and you roll out his stats vs. Southland conference?
Which why he us consences 1st off board.......but he is still only considered an eventually plus starter. And you know QB are always overhyped. Its just a bad class on paper. Doesn't mean some won't be good. Just really tough to say which ones. Thus is very similar to the Kenny class. Remember they had Willis going to Steelers. In the end only Purdy has carved out lucrative second contract.
IMO, the Titans are dumb for taking Ward at 1.1 instead of Hunter. They have zero playmakers on offense. zero. and they'll likely be drafting top 10 next season as well, even if they take Ward or Hunter. It should be in their best interest to get Hunter, have another **** season with Levis if he's not the guy and then draft his replacement next season. which, of course, would mean Ward could be a Clown.
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He will make the HOF on just his “Game Manager” skills alone……………………
Salute the nation
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When it comes to this QB class, I don't see it being as bad as 2022. Then you have to ask if you think Sanders, Dart, or Milroe could be a long-term starter. Overall, this draft class isn't particularly good, IMO. I also don't see next year as being some great QB class. There may be 1 or 2 in the top 5 who the Steelers would have to give up an absolute HAUL for or draft a big arm guy who will probably be overrated because of tools. In other words, I don't think this is the 2004 class with three studs.
Daniel Jeremiah has Sanders as the 20th best player. His best trait is his accuracy and he has NFL bloodlines. He has 4 years of proven production. He seems like a QB who can succeed if you build an offense around him and if they take him at 21, I'm probably drafting a RB and OL with my next two picks.
Jaxson Dart is his 36th ranked prospect. Dart improved each year in terms of completion %, yards, and TDs. His deep ball is one of his strengths and something the Steelers like to do, especially with Pickens and DK. He's probably more athletic than Sanders, but not as refined as a passer.
Tyler Shough (75) is a guy who has been talked about for years. He has a good arm, so-so stats for his experience, and while he's tall, has a relatively thin frame (durability?).
Will Howard (85) is a gutsy QB who had a meteoric rise after transferring OSU. He was also surrounded by a team loaded with talent, so not sure how he'll turn out.
Jalen Milroe is 86th and has all the physical tools you could ask for, he just looks real bad at times. A lack of production against high-level competition has me worried for the next level. He seems like a long-term development project.
Daniel Jeremiah has Sanders as the 20th best player. His best trait is his accuracy and he has NFL bloodlines. He has 4 years of proven production. He seems like a QB who can succeed if you build an offense around him and if they take him at 21, I'm probably drafting a RB and OL with my next two picks.
Jaxson Dart is his 36th ranked prospect. Dart improved each year in terms of completion %, yards, and TDs. His deep ball is one of his strengths and something the Steelers like to do, especially with Pickens and DK. He's probably more athletic than Sanders, but not as refined as a passer.
Tyler Shough (75) is a guy who has been talked about for years. He has a good arm, so-so stats for his experience, and while he's tall, has a relatively thin frame (durability?).
Will Howard (85) is a gutsy QB who had a meteoric rise after transferring OSU. He was also surrounded by a team loaded with talent, so not sure how he'll turn out.
Jalen Milroe is 86th and has all the physical tools you could ask for, he just looks real bad at times. A lack of production against high-level competition has me worried for the next level. He seems like a long-term development project.
R
Hey next season, Arch manning has a fighting chance because of his family coaching him up, but the typical golden arm top recruit in college is hot trash in the pros because they just learn too many bad habits to correct
Ewers is like Mayfield... he probably takes four or more years to learn you cant make those hero throws with any consistency in the NFL....
Hey next season, Arch manning has a fighting chance because of his family coaching him up, but the typical golden arm top recruit in college is hot trash in the pros because they just learn too many bad habits to correct
Deion Sanders after his son's first season under Cool Shades.
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Good take on the QB class. He thinks Ward is the only top talent and all others are flawed
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Neither are physically imposing at 6-1 and 6-2.
Neither is considered a dual threat QB, a big thing wanted in “todays NFL” as you say
Both have 1 good season in in conferences that were not filled with elite competition this year that is being hyped as the primary evidence of them being first round picks in a bad year for QBs
Ward has questionable decision making and processing skills.
Sanders has a long release time on his throws and hasn’t won anything at the power 5 level.
To me a blue chip QB prospect as you say should be able to elevate a bad team drafting in the top 10 to being a top 15 team in their first 3 seasons such as Burrow did with the Bungles, or Allen with the Bills. Or if they were drafted by the Steelers be a key reason they become a 2 win playoff team in their first 3 seasons.
Ward and Sanders are projects that need to be surrounded by a good team and coaching staff to prosper and probably sit a year or 2 ideally. Someone like Allen or Burrow who is worthy of a first round pick doesn’t need that much help to turn a team around
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If Ward is drafted by the Titans, I hope they bring in some playmakers because their cupboard is pretty bare in that regard. He’ll be expected to turn a franchise around with little to no help. Doesn’t sound like a recipe for success.
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Lots of “Steelers taking Sanders” hype on Pittsburgh sports talk radio yesterday, except for Gerry Dulac, he thinks it’ll be one of the DLs.
Ben was also 6'5" 240lbs and ran a 4.7 forty and had the arm talent, also was very good in the agility drills three cone and shuttle.
But he also played up to that talent level, and didnt fail that level of talent.
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Is Hunter really good or is he just a great athlete who was able to put up numbers in college? To draft him #1 you would have to think he is the #1 WR or #1 CB or both. Everyone like to bash the QBs when in reality it is just a crap shoot. No matter who is chosen where there will always be someone who said "I told you so". There are not many "can't miss" QB prospects. Burrow was taken #1 and was the consensus #1 QB, but i don't think he was considered a can't miss generational talent. I remember more hype around Trevor Lawrence. Then you have mahomes who was drafted 10th. Allen was #7, Lamar was 32 etc etc.... No one is perfect and no one can say for sure how guys are going to turn out in the NFL. I do not think Milroe belongs in the same tier as guys like Ward, Sanders, and Dart. His Ints and overall stats are concerning and he just never really made the step up at Bama. A guy like Pickett at least improved every year and made a big jump his last year. I think too many times guys are looked at strictly in terms or athletic ability not actual football skills. For example putting a first round grade on a guy like Allar based on his size and arm strength. I know PSU didn't have receivers, but Allar was not great either
Hunter was the best player on any college field for two years running. He has gaudy stats, and played on both sides of the ball. He's very comparable to Charles Woodson for me.
so based on that he carried shedeure. ? Just a question, not trolling.
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Their second WR had over 2k yrds the last 2 years which was actually more than Hunter. In fairness hunter did miss 3.5 games in 2023, but wester was no slouch
I didn’t realize he ran a 4.7, obviously he was great in the agility but that’s pretty good speed.
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I have seen Hunter ranked by many as the best corner and a top 5 WR. Though this is a weak WR draft at the top.
I have changed my tune on Milroe a bit. I think he has high bust potential but also the highest ceiling of this crop. Outside the first I would be willing to gamble on him. He is a swing for the fences(stolen from Matt Williamson) versus a a double in Sanders. Sanders has a higher floor but his ceiling is good and not great.
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Burrow needed Chase and Jefferson in college to excel, didn’t excel until he got Chase in the NFL. He’s really good, but probably the most dependent on having great weapons of all the franchise QBs.
Was Allen a top prospect? I thought it was a surprise he went so high, and his first two years were shaky.