Speaking at the NFL combine earlier this offseason, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about common mistakes teams can make when evaluating quarterbacks entering the NFL draft.
NFL teams can either hit on a top draft pick (C.J. Stroud) hit on a sleeper pick (Patrick Mahomes) or completely miss (Trey Lance). Payton detailed the risks in evaluating and drafting the right quarterback.
“I think there’s risk, obviously,” Payton said on Feb. 27. “There’s no certainty or else we’d be fantastic with the draft. There are certain risks. I think how quickly they can process the information. For some when you get them in rookie minicamp, you realize, ‘Ah, I’ve been with a rookie before and just feel like this is not how I wanted it to go.’ He’s having trouble spitting out the plays and maybe it takes a while. Maybe that’s something that you realize is going to be a hindrance or set him back.
“I think we shouldn’t miss on accuracy because we get to see it. We shouldn’t miss on stature because we get to feel it and look at it and measure it. We shouldn’t miss on athleticism. All of those traits should be easier to be correct on, but the more difficult ones — leadership we shouldn’t miss on because we should feel that and be able to research that. It’s that other element and it’s really the difference of just that. For some, it’s two thumb thick and for others it’s one. You just hope it’s one.”
There are some things that are hard to measure, like a QB’s ability to digest information and get in and out of the huddle quickly. That’s why the Broncos give QBs an overload of information to study for their pre-draft visits to see how the prospects handle it. That can help Denver make an informed evaluation of a QB.
No process is perfect, though, and there’s always risk involved with drafting a QB. Payton will aim to get it right when the Broncos go on the clock later this month. Denver currently holds the 12th overall pick in the first round.
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