A look at the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft:
1. Matt Ryan, Boston College, 6-4, 228. The class of this year’s group, although there is a difference of opinion among scouts about just how good he will become as a pro … Threw for 4,507 yards, 31 TDs and 19 INTs last season … Won Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the country’s top senior quarterback … Great leadership qualities … played despite a broken bone in his foot as a junior … occasionally throws into coverage … not very elusive. 
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6-3, 230. Very productive college quarterback, although here, too, there are questions about whether he’s a franchise-caliber NFL passer … Threw for 4,024 yards, 30 TDs and 12 INTs last season, setting the school record for touchdown passes … comes from a football family; brothers Greg and Jeff, as well as father, Oscar, played at Louisville … has a low release point that concerns some scouts … good, not great arm … has had some injury issues (knee, shoulder) … very diligent worker.
3. Chad Henne, Michigan, 6-3, 230. Very experienced quarterback, having played all four years at Michigan … battled through shoulder and ankle injuries as a senior and missed time because of the injuries … threw for only 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions … classic dropback passer with limited mobility … needs improvement at avoiding the rush … finished with school record 87 touchdown passes.
4. Joe Flacco, Delaware, 6-6, 238. Intriguing prospect because of his size and arm strength. Maybe the strongest thrower in the draft … concerns about level of competition … threw for 4,263 yards, 23 TDs and only 5 INTs last season … because of size and limited escapability, needs consistently good pocket to throw from … has worked on dropbacks in the off-season, since Delaware often used the shotgun formation ... worked with former NFL QB Scott Brunner to enhance his draft status ... some teams have him as the second best quarterback in the draft.
5. Andre Woodson, Kentucky, 6-4, 226. Extremely productive college passer … threw for 3,709 yards, a whopping 40 TDs and only 11 INTs in 2007 … set school and conference records for most touchdown passes in a season … set the NCAA record for most consecutive completions without an INT (325) … had a rating of 144.5 as a senior … the big drawback is his throwing motion, which many scouts believes takes too much time … will have to change it to deal with the faster, more aggressive NFL defenses.
6. John David Booty, USC, 6-2, 220. Replaced Matt Leinart in 2006, and led Trojans to back-to-back Rose Bowl titles, throwing a combined seven TD passes in both games … missed three games last season with broken finger, finishing with 2,361 yards, 23 TDs and 10 INTs … average arm strength … father, Johnny, a college quarterback, and brother, Josh, a former baseball (Marlins) and football player (LSU, Browns) . . . after returning from broken finger, Trojans went 5-0 and outscored opponents, 165-68 … some scouts believe Booty a product of USC system and won’t necessarily take the next step at the NFL level.
Noteworthy:
Colt Brennan, Hawaii. 6-2, 207. Considered a "system" quarterback and not highly regarded by NFL scouts ... had off-season hip surgery ... small frame works against him.
Erik Ainge, Tennessee, 6-5, 225. Nephew of former Celtics guard Danny Ainge ... good height, but inconsistent thrower ... productive career at Tennessee (31 TDs, 10 INTs last year), but viewed as an NFL backup type.
Josh Johnson, San Diego, 6-3, 201. Could be a sleeper here, because of his exceptional productivity in college, where he threw for a school-record 43 touchdown passes last season.
UP NEXT: Running backs
Comments (1)
Colt Brennan, we hardly knew ye!