The 2008 Quarterback Draft Class was on the weaker side. While there are some quarterback's that could have great career's, almost every quarterback has some reason to doubt their ability to be able to play in the NFL.
The first quarterback taken in the draft was Matt Ryan from Boston College, taken third overall by the Atlanta Falcons. While Ryan has the talent to be a very good NFL quarterback, there are reasons for doubt. He has a pretty good arm, but what separates him from other quarterbacks is his accuracy and leadership. Ryan did throw 19 interceptions this past season at BC, but part of the reason for that was his surrounding talent. BC's line did not give him as much time to throw as say, Chad Henne of Michigan, and the Eagle receivers and backs are not the most talented players in college football. Overall though, the Falcons may have made a mistake not drafting LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. However, Ryan should be a very good starting NFL quarterback, and he will give the Falcons some stability after the Michael Vick incident.
The second quarterback taken was Delaware's Joe Flacco (18th Overall, Baltimore Ravens). Flacco shot up teams' draft boards with stellar pre-draft workouts. He has great upside, as he has an extremely good arm. The knock on Flacco is the competition he faced. Playing in Division 1-AA, Flacco has not faced any NFL talent. It will be interesting to see if he will be able to adjust to the much faster speed of the NFL game. Overall, the Ravens made a wise choice taking Flacco, because of the draft picks they got from trading down, and because of the immense upside he possesses.
In the second round, the Green Bay Packers took QB Brian Brohm from Louisville. The Packers, obviously not sold on Aaron Rodgers replacing Brett Favre, made a wise move taking Brohm. Brohm severly hurt his draft stock by sticking around at Louisville for his senior season. Instead of a top-10 pick, he slid all the way to number 56. Brohm should be a good, if not very good, starting quarterback for Green Bay if Rodgers falters. If all goes well, Brohm could end up being one of the great steals of the draft.
The final quarterback taken on the first day of the draft was Chad Henne (Michigan) by the Miami Dolphins. Henne had a very solid, but unspectacular, career at Michigan. Henne could end up being a good NFL starting quarterback if he is given some time before he takes over as the Dolphins signal-caller. Despite being very talented and playing for a talented Wolverine squad, Henne was never able to beat arch-rival Ohio State, and his Michigan teams never seemed to live up to expectations. Despite this, Henne has more upside, and is probably better than current Dolphins quarterback John Beck. However, on a weak team on which the quarterback will take many lumps, it will be wise for Miami to take its time developing Henne on the sideline for at least a few games in order to make sure he is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The quarterbacks on the second day will most likely spend the majority of their careers as backups in the NFL. John David Booty (USC) has the best chance to become a starter, especially if current Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson continues to go through growing pains. The Vikings selection of Booty in the 5th round gives them extremely good value for a 5th round pick.
Other notable quarterbacks selected were Tennessee's Erik Ainge (New York Jets), Hawaii's Colt Brennan (Washington Redskins), Kentucky's Andre Woodson (New York Giants), and LSU's Matt Flynn (Packers). While these four will probably spend the majority of their careers as backups, they could make decent starters if given the chance by an NFL team.
Coming up tomorrow: NFL Draft Review- Running Backs
The first quarterback taken in the draft was Matt Ryan from Boston College, taken third overall by the Atlanta Falcons. While Ryan has the talent to be a very good NFL quarterback, there are reasons for doubt. He has a pretty good arm, but what separates him from other quarterbacks is his accuracy and leadership. Ryan did throw 19 interceptions this past season at BC, but part of the reason for that was his surrounding talent. BC's line did not give him as much time to throw as say, Chad Henne of Michigan, and the Eagle receivers and backs are not the most talented players in college football. Overall though, the Falcons may have made a mistake not drafting LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. However, Ryan should be a very good starting NFL quarterback, and he will give the Falcons some stability after the Michael Vick incident.
The second quarterback taken was Delaware's Joe Flacco (18th Overall, Baltimore Ravens). Flacco shot up teams' draft boards with stellar pre-draft workouts. He has great upside, as he has an extremely good arm. The knock on Flacco is the competition he faced. Playing in Division 1-AA, Flacco has not faced any NFL talent. It will be interesting to see if he will be able to adjust to the much faster speed of the NFL game. Overall, the Ravens made a wise choice taking Flacco, because of the draft picks they got from trading down, and because of the immense upside he possesses.
In the second round, the Green Bay Packers took QB Brian Brohm from Louisville. The Packers, obviously not sold on Aaron Rodgers replacing Brett Favre, made a wise move taking Brohm. Brohm severly hurt his draft stock by sticking around at Louisville for his senior season. Instead of a top-10 pick, he slid all the way to number 56. Brohm should be a good, if not very good, starting quarterback for Green Bay if Rodgers falters. If all goes well, Brohm could end up being one of the great steals of the draft.
The final quarterback taken on the first day of the draft was Chad Henne (Michigan) by the Miami Dolphins. Henne had a very solid, but unspectacular, career at Michigan. Henne could end up being a good NFL starting quarterback if he is given some time before he takes over as the Dolphins signal-caller. Despite being very talented and playing for a talented Wolverine squad, Henne was never able to beat arch-rival Ohio State, and his Michigan teams never seemed to live up to expectations. Despite this, Henne has more upside, and is probably better than current Dolphins quarterback John Beck. However, on a weak team on which the quarterback will take many lumps, it will be wise for Miami to take its time developing Henne on the sideline for at least a few games in order to make sure he is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The quarterbacks on the second day will most likely spend the majority of their careers as backups in the NFL. John David Booty (USC) has the best chance to become a starter, especially if current Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson continues to go through growing pains. The Vikings selection of Booty in the 5th round gives them extremely good value for a 5th round pick.
Other notable quarterbacks selected were Tennessee's Erik Ainge (New York Jets), Hawaii's Colt Brennan (Washington Redskins), Kentucky's Andre Woodson (New York Giants), and LSU's Matt Flynn (Packers). While these four will probably spend the majority of their careers as backups, they could make decent starters if given the chance by an NFL team.
Coming up tomorrow: NFL Draft Review- Running Backs
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