Washington Redskins: Mike Mayock Evaluates the Top 2012 NFL Draft QB Prospects

Published: 16^th Feb 12 7:30 am

by Emmanual Benton
Manny

1 Rant »

Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE

I’m a huge fan of NFL Network’s draft guru, Mike Mayock. So when he speaks, I listen, and hold his word with more stock than other draft analyst. Mayock held a national conference call to discuss the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, and made some interesting comments on the top Quarterbacks.

Mayock on Baylor’s, Robert Griffin III: “You’re bringing up one of the more gifted kids in the draft. … The more tape I put in, the more fun I have watching him. The bottom line is, he’s a playmaker and this is what this league is all about, especially at that position. … I love everything about the kid. The question I have, he doesn’t throw with anticipation, mostly because he didn’t have to. He has great touch and accuracy, middle and deep [down the field]. He’s tough and he takes hits. He initially looks to get the football down the field, and I like that.”

My Take: Mayock seems to be really high on Griffin, which is a great sign. The anticipation is something he does need to work on, as that is very important at the next level. Mayock also said, if he was the Cleveland Browns GM, he would trade up for RG3. He went on to say, “The Rams would be happy with the Browns two first round picks.” (Which essentially would be the Browns giving 1 draft pick). That’s an ideal situation for them, and if the Redskins want Griffin, that could cause a problem. It will take at least 2 first round picks and change for Washington.

Mayock on Texas A&M’s, Ryan Tannehill: “After last year, we had [Christian] Ponder and [Jake] Locker go in the first 12 picks and I think we were all surprised and the same thing could happen this year with Tannehill… He’s got everything you want – size, arm strength and he’s a really good athlete. All you have to do is look at his tape as a receiver. What I don’t like him is that he waits for routes to develop, he lacks anticipation, and, because of that, he throws late into coverage and makes mistakes. But that’s not atypical of a lot of college quarterbacks. I think he’s going to be a first-round guy.”

My Take: If the Redskins are interested in Ryan Tannehill, you must take him at #6 overall. Meaning, you have to be confident in his abilities. This doesn’t mean you start him day 1 – Jake Locker was a top 10 pick with the Titans, and was Matt Hasselbeck’s back-up majority of the season. I’ve been a huge Tannehill fan during his tenure at Texas A&M, but with 19 career starts you have to wonder if Mike Shanahan would take that risk. Mike Mayock acknowledge the amount of starts Tannehill had, and said most NFL teams like to see a guy with at least 25 career starts.

Mayock on Oklahoma State’s, Brandon Weeden: “I like him. He’s really accurate when he sets his feet. He’s a timing and rhythmic guy. He has to be on time, in a good rhythm, and when that happens, he’s really, really good. But when he has to hasten the process and reset his feet, he loses some of that great accuracy and he’s not nifty in the pocket. To me, that’s a guy you have to develop a little bit. But he’s 28 years old. Do you have time to wait? That’s the problem here. I’m of the opinion, having gotten to know him and watch him work, if he’s a guy you had to throw him there [this year], he could play.”

My Take: I thought Mayock’s evaluation on Weeden was interesting, because he seems to really like him. Most people compare Weeden to Chris Weinke (former minor league baseball player-turned-college quarterback), but Mayock said Weeden is more developed and a better Quarterback than Weinke. So for the Redskins, you have to figure out if you’re comfortable taking a 28 years old QB, that will be 29 during the season. Mayock believes he’s a 2nd round guy because of the age. If you think this guy can play 10 years and be a consistent winner, I don’t mind it at all. One thing Mayock said, that I thought screamed Redskins was, Weeden is a timing and rhythmic guy. How many times have you heard Mike or Kyle Shanahan use that phrase to describe Washington’s offense? Just a thought..

What I concluded: Based off Mayock’s comments, unless the Browns go the Free Agent route for a QB, it would be a mistake for that organization to not trade up for Robert Griffin III. For Washington, if they like RG3, you have to hope the Browns make that mistake. Unless you’re willing to give up a significant amount of picks, including at least 2 first. I believe a Franchise Quarterback trumps all, however, you have to make prudent decisions.

As for Tannehill and Weeden, I like both, however they’re clear concerns with each. Do you take a guy that will be 29 years old? Or do you risk a top 10 pick on a guy that has only 19 career starts? I strongly believe one of these three Quarterbacks will be in a Redskins uniform.

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