Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen will be the first two quarterbacks taken in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. Since quarterback is the premier position in football, it is interesting that there is such little depth at the top of the position rankings. But it is looking more and more that Colt McCoy will be the third quarterback taken in the draft.
If you are looking for a quarerback who comes from a winning program, played in a BCS National Championship game, did not play in a pro style offense, took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense, and suffered a shoulder injury in his final season, you have your choice of players in Bradford and McCoy. I think it's strange that they are rated so far apart. McCoy is more mobile in the pocket, played a full four years and college and played under a spotlight that few quarterbacks ever have.
If you remember, McCoy started as a freshman taking over a team that went undefeated and was led by Vince Young to victory over USC in the BCS National Championship game. I don't believe you can measure how high the expectations were for McCoy. Although he did not deliver a National Championship, his Texas Longhorns finished with the same record as Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners in 2008 and beat them head to head. Only a loss to Texas Tech later in the season cost them a chance to play Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators for the National Championship.
McCoy did lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game in 2009, but an injury to his right shoulder cost him a chance to prove himself against the stout defense of Alabama. His recent Pro Day workout showed that his shoulder has healed, and he hit on all 45 passes. Now the question is: how high will McCoy go, and who will take him?
If Washington passes on Jimmy Clausen in the first round and takes Russell Okung, do they take McCoy with their pick in the second round? It may be a bit of a reach, but it will also be a good fit. McCoy could learn from Mike Shanahan while palying behind Jason Campbell. With a veteran quarterback in place he would not be rushed into the starting lineup, where Clausen would be if taken 4th overall. One knock against McCoy is his defeciency in reading defenses. Show me a quarterback who reads pro defenses right of college and I'll show you a freak of nature. There isn't a quarterback coming into the draft this year who is ready to play as much as Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez were the previous two seasons. McCoy may be a reach early in the second round, but some team is going to get a quality player who will be able to help them down the road.
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