Take Two: Does the 2018 QB class feature a high bust factor?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling a handful of issues in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites.
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THE STORYLINE
There has been so much debate about this year’s NFL Draft crop of quarterbacks from Wyoming’s Josh Allen to UCLA’s Josh Rosen to USC’s Sam Darnold to Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.
One thing that has been widely accepted is that this group of quarterbacks is one of the best in recent memory and many of them could be high first-round draft picks.
Something that might be getting overlooked, though, is the high “bust” factor in this class since all of them have concerning issues to consider.
Allen has a low completion percentage and has been subpar against quality competition. Rosen has injury issues and there are questions about how he takes to coaching. Darnold’s turnover issues - both interceptions and fumbles - are well-documented. Mayfield has off-field concerns and his height could be an issue. And Jackson has incredible athleticism but is he too slender to take hits in the NFL and can he accurately throw the deep ball.
This could turn out to be a phenomenal quarterback class. But as analysts become more enamored with this group are some overlooking a decent level of bust potential for this quarterback class?
FIRST TAKE: HOWIE LINDSEY, CARDINALSPORTS.COM
“How a quarterback class is judged typically depends on the most successful quarterback in that class. Analysts typically don’t talk about how deep a quarterback class is but rather mention the one or two stars at the top who made it big in the NFL. I could see each of the five quarterbacks in this class starting for an NFL team one day so in terms of depth I think it is a good class, but I also don’t see a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Matt Ryan in this class. Mayfield is the best passer in the draft, and he reminds me of Drew Brees. Honestly, Lamar Jackson is the only quarterback in this class who I believe has game-changing ability, and it seems like some NFL scouts aren’t convinced he can play the position at the next level. I think they’re wrong, but I am biased because I got to witness his ridiculousness in person. Would Mike Vick be Mike Vick in today’s NFL?”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM
“It could be a bust. When you look beyond Rosen, Mayfield and Darnold, there are a ton of questions marks. Even beyond Rosen and Mayfield because Darnold has the turnover questions. Allen played horribly against Power Five competition. Jackson, some people don’t think he’s an actual quarterback and he might get hurt because he’s RG3 Part 2. Mason Rudolph could be a system guy.
“Then you get to guys like Mike White, Nick Stevens, Kyle Lauletta and Luke Falk. It’s a top-heavy group, not a deep group. If the top few guys don’t pan out it could be a real disaster year.”