NFL teams struggling with poor quarterback play are eagerly scouting the crop of signal-callers that will be available in April. With five currently rated as first-round prospects by NFLDraftScout.com, and several more ranked among the top 100 overall seniors, quarterback might be the deepest and most talented position in the 2008 draft.
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| Andre' Woodson is not only the top QB, but a Heisman front-runner. (Getty Images) |
Last April, Philadelphia (Kevin Kolb), Miami (John Beck) and Detroit (Drew Stanton) waited until the second round to add potential quarterbacks of the future. With so much talent at the position this year, there could again be excellent value in the second and third rounds. Southern California's John David Booty and Michigan's Chad Henne are viewed as potential first-round picks who could slide, and it is hard to ignore the production of Hawaii's Colt Brennan and San Diego's Josh Johnson.
An in-depth look at my current Top 10 senior quarterbacks for the 2008 draft:
1. Andre' Woodson, Kentucky, 6-5, 224 pounds, 4.78 (40-yard dash)
Entering the 2006 season, Woodson was fighting for a starting job. After leading the SEC in passing yards per game (270.4) and passing touchdowns (31), Woodson is now not only a front-runner for the Heisman, but among the handful of senior prospects competing to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
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| Brian Brohm (AP) |
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6-3, 227, 4.79
Considered one of the elite QB talents since earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year accolades in 2004. Has mind-boggling production in this system, throwing for 41 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions as an underclassman.
Scouts understandably love his production and acknowledge his accuracy, understanding of defenses and leadership. However, some question whether his ability is inflated by the Louisville offense.
3. Matt Ryan, Boston College, 6-5, 224, 4.82
If there is a senior capable of leaping to the front of this class, it just might be Ryan. Big, strong, accurate and considerably more mobile than most give him credit for, Ryan has everything scouts are looking for in a first-round quarterback -- except the gaudy statistics.
While he has been playing as well as any quarterback in the country the first half of this season, he entered the year with fairly pedestrian career numbers (25 TDs/18 INTs). Scouts rave about his intangibles, especially his toughness after playing through a broken foot for the final seven games of last season.
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| John David Booty (AP) |
Intelligent, poised passer whose accuracy to all levels of the field earned the praise of scouts who viewed him as the next Trojans quarterback likely to win the Heisman and become a first-round pick.
It was easy to see why last year, when Booty threw for 3,347 yards and a 29-9 TD-to-INT ratio as a first-year starter.
The loss of receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith has been significant, and Booty hasn't been nearly as impressive in his decision-making this season.
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| UM's Chad Henne (Getty Images) |
Michigan's career leader in every notable passing statistic, Henne lacks the size and foot speed scouts prefer, but his accuracy, when given time, is as good as any passer on this list.
Some question Henne's ability to win the big game -- he has a career record of 0-6 against Ohio State and in bowl games -- but his production for a major program can't be denied.
A knee injury that kept him out for almost three full games isn't considered a concern.
6. Colt Brennan, Hawaii, 6-3, 205, 4.79
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| Colt Brennan (Getty Images) |
He is chasing down numerous NCAA records in large part due to June Jones' high octane offense, but he also has the combination of accuracy, mobility and poise to be successful in the NFL. He lacks the big arm scouts prefer, but Brennan has rare short- and medium-range accuracy. In the right system, Brennan can be a successful NFL passer.
7. Erik Ainge, Tennessee, 6-6, 223, 5.06
With his spectacular size and tutelage under college football's best quarterbacks coach, David Cutcliffe, Ainge is an intriguing prospect.
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| Vols' Erik Ainge (Getty Images) |
Scouts will have to check Ainge's medical records at the Scouting Combine in February as he underwent surgery this past spring for a torn meniscus and struggled early this season with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand.
8. Matt Flynn, LSU, 6-2, 228, 4.68
One of the country's most underrated pro prospects, Flynn shows flashes of all the primary skills NFL scouts are looking for in a quarterback. Flynn has a strong arm, good mobility and the poise that belies his lack of experience.
A veteran of only one career start entering this season, Flynn is gaining needed playing time as a senior even if he is splitting more snaps with sophomore Ryan Perrilloux. Flynn's stock could be hurt by a sore ankle that has limited his mobility and caused some accuracy issues, which could make him a late first-day steal come April.
9. Dennis Dixon, Oregon, 6-4, 205, 4.68
Entering this season, Dixon was viewed as a late-round prospect more likely to make a team as a receiver or safety than as a quarterback. A spectacular start to 2007, however, has NFL scouts taking a second look.
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| Dennis Dixon (Getty Images) |
10. Josh Johnson, San Diego, 6-3, 198, 4.74
Those looking for a diamond in the rough should keep Johnson on their radar. A mobile quarterback veteran scouts have compared to former NFL star Randall Cunningham, Johnson is equally dangerous as a passer or a runner. He has dominated his competition, earning conference Offensive Player of the Year honors each of his two starting seasons. Only his level of competition keeps him rated this low.
Should Johnson have the opportunity to show his talent in a prominent senior all-star game, his stock could skyrocket in the months preceding the draft.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.
