Top 5 Quarterbacks in 2013 NFL Draft Class

Top 5 Quarterbacks in 2013 NFL Draft Class

If you are searching for one of the rare certainties leading up to Thursday’s first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, perhaps the most unique one that can be offered is this will be only the fourth time in the last 16 drafts that a non-quarterback will be taken number one overall. Whether that says more about the quality (or lack thereof) of the quarterbacks or the high-quality of linemen in this year’s class is up for debate.

What it does say for sure, however, is that a quarterback needy team picking at the top of the draft will most likely be able to take the best player available in the trenches and then wrap back around in round two to snag one of the top signal callers. That provides an excellent building opportunity for teams drafting in the top 10 that have been fixtures in that area over the course of the past decade or so.

Even though clubs like the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals have addressed their uncertain quarterbacking futures via trade or free agency this offseason, those solutions are merely stopgaps. These teams would still likely to add a young arm into the mix to groom and compete behind the current veterans that they have in place.

To help them with this difficult task, it only seemed natural to take a closer look at the top quarterbacks in this year’s class and examine their potential at the next level. Here they are your top 5 quarterbacks on the 2013 NFL Draft class.

5. Tyler Wilson

There are several scouts who believe Tyler Wilson could ultimately be groomed into a starter with a year or two of clipboard duty. What gives Wilson an edge over many QBs may also be his undoing at times as his confidence is too high, believing he can fit the ball into any window regardless of the consequences. Once he learns that discretion is the better part of valor, there is potential for a real solid starter at the NFL level.

4. Matt Barkley

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Whether it is the stigma of USC Trojan quarterbacks or not, Matt Barkley just doesn’t have the attention of many scouts this time around. A year ago he would have likely been selected before Russell Wilson and shortly after both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. I’m not going to say that he is a direct comparison, but Barkley reminds me a great deal of former Trojan Matt Leinart as the parallels are undeniable with a high draft stock coming back to school only to disappoint the following season. His lack of arm strength is worrisome and he is a mid-second rounder in my book with a need to hit the weight room.

3. Ryan Nassib

This is a unique case. Ryan Nassib has been linked to the Buffalo Bills for what seems like forever given that his former head coach at Syracuse, Doug Marrone, is now the man in charge in Buffalo. It is more than mere familiarity that will get him drafted, however, as he has tremendous arm talent with the ability to put touch on some throws while firing others in to beat the coverage. What could potentially hold back his development are the poor reads that he has put on film throughout his career, but if he can begin to understand when to gamble and when not to, it could be a beautiful thing for whichever team drafts him.

2. E.J. Manuel

The physical upside here is obvious at 6’5” 237lbs. E.J.Manuel is strongly built with a great head on his shoulders according to scouts. He offers some mobility in the pocket and is very difficult to bring down when on the move. Arm strength is not a question as Manuel can make all of the throws, but his delivery is a potential problem. While it isn’t as bad as a Tim Tebow hitch, he does have a bit of hesitation which gives defenders that extra split second to read and react. If some coaching can eliminate that issue, there is a boatload of potential with this kid.

1. Geno Smith

It’s hard to argue with Geno Smith as the top gun in this class. He has an NFL arm with very good mobility and measured bigger than many projected at 6’3” 218lbs. That makes his 4.56 time in the 40-yard dash all the much more impressive given the fact that Cam Newton (while he was two inches taller and 30 pounds heavier) ran a 4.59 at the Combine. Footwork is a question mark with Smith as he is very inconsistent in that department leading to some off balance throws at times. His ability to adjust to being under center with more complex reads may be an issue as he ran a spread out of the shotgun with simple concepts at West Virginia.

No First Rounders?

While teams may not find the next Peyton Manning in this year’s class, these quarterbacks have plenty to offer in terms of upside. It is still hard to find a spot for any of them in the first round, but early round two could see all of these guys come off of the board in the top half. Thursday’s opening round may be the day for the trenches, but Friday’s second and third rounds will have plenty of quarterbacks selected.