NFL team personnel descended on the campus of North Dakota State on Thursday, with the primary attraction being top quarterback prospect Carson Wentz. Wintry weather conditions reportedly prevented 14 teams from making it to Fargo, North Dakota, but notably in attendance was Cleveland Browns head coach Hugh Jackson and Browns assistant coach Pep Hamilton.
Pro days are set up for quarterbacks to succeed in a comfortable environment, which is what made Teddy Bridgewater‘s bad showing two years ago so noteworthy and his draft stock artificially fell afterward. Wentz is widely considered the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2016 draft class, and his workout Thursday inspired high praise from noted draft evaluator Gil Brandt.
One of the best pro days I’ve ever witnessed. Wentz reminds me of Joe Flacco. He had 2 55-yard passes that were as pretty as I’ve seen.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 24, 2016
Brandt’s comparison to Joe Flacco seems apt, with similar small school roots, size and arm strength as the benchmarks. But, with all due respect to Brandt, the citing of two 55-yard throws as highlights is high-level hyperbole. That kind of throw is rare to see in an NFL game, let alone Wentz doing it without pads on and against defensive backs who may not be NFL-caliber, so making any sort of statement based on them is foolish.
One of Brandt’s colleagues at NFL Network/NFL Media, Daniel Jeremiah, jumped on the hyperbole bandwagon regarding Wentz’s Pro Day showing.
“I would say A, if not an A+… Nearly flawless.” –@MoveTheSticks grades @NDSUathletics QB @CJ_Wentz‘s Pro Day https://t.co/NNwSaI78tn
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2016
The Browns are in line to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick next month, and Wentz is a popular choice for them in mock drafts right now. I still think the Browns should take Jared Goff second overall, or be willing to trade down if a significant offer comes. I’m clearly hesitant to say Wentz is the best quarterback in this year’s class, with his total resume in mind, and a great showing in a situation where he should not fail does not move me off that thinking.
