NFL Draft 2020 Prospect Checklist: 7 Key Skills of a Quarterback

The National Football League (NFL) Draft is composed of seven rounds. All of the 32 clubs will receive one pick for each round as a baseline. But, at the end of the third to the last rounds, the NFL may allocate as many as 32 compensatory picks, who are all qualified to be traded.

Now, how do scouts break down NFL prospects? Every qualification depends on the position of a player. Let’s start with the most crucial position in football and other sports, the quarterbacks (QB). In this article, we’ve rounded up seven criteria that you should keep your tabs on when assessing quarterbacks draft picks for 2020 NFL.

Accuracy

In gridiron football, accuracy refers to one’s ability to accurately and consistently deliver a pass to a target location. While it may sum up everything a quarterback does, it’s a trait that a coach can’t ground into a quarterback.

Put simply, if a player isn’t gifted of this so-called “accuracy,” then he’ll more likely end up as one of those quarterbacks who weren’t able to pan out. Most scouts assess a quarterback’s accuracy through his completion percentage, alongside with his charting passes.

Vision

Apart from accuracy, a quarterback’s reading coverage (i.e., vision) and the ability to opt for the best actions with impeccable timing are essential. Experts even say football vision is as crucial as a quarterback and other football players’ ball skills.

Having good football vision means a quarterback can determine the right time to run or pass, hit the right option routes even under pressure, and adjust his offense to cow the defense. You’ll live as a high-level quarterback if you have both the accuracy, excellent reading coverage, and ball skills.

The Velocity of Arm Strength

Throwing deep down the field is ideal. That’s why many quarterbacks would train or are trained this way. However, in reality, many quarterbacks cannot or would not opt to do this during a game.  This is due to many factors, including the strong defense of the opposing team.

In other words, being able to throw a ball 70 yards or so in the air (i.e., distance) is relevant. But this is not as important as making sharp passes to the intermediate and downfield areas on time (i.e., velocity). Scouts want a quarterback who can do threading throws between traffic, while fitting passes into unyielding windows over the middle.

Leadership

Quarterbacks were long considered as players who carry the torch in football. Looking back at NFL history, QBs like the “Golden Arm” Johnny Unitas (QB for Baltimore in 1956-1972) and the “Comeback Kid” Joe Montana (QB for San Francisco in 1979-1992) went under the most pressure, yet still led their team well for several seasons. They’re among the best quarterbacks and leaders of all time.

Being able to lead a team with poise is another trait that most scouts will look for in a quarterback. What makes a quarterback a leader? The classic statement “someone can carry every player’s hopes” should be the answer.

Pocket Presence

During the NFL Scouting Combine, many QBs are being asked if they can run the ball outside the pocket. When a quarterback has a good pocket presence, he has the ability to determine when the pocket is shutting in around him while at the same time looking for open receivers. It’s merely about mobility. To sum up, this ability consists of three factors: see pressure, feel pressure, and move under pressure.

For example, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are great QBs with a good sense of pocket presence and escapability. In the past, Manning could easily slide away from pass-rushers and kept the game going because he was able to feel and see pressure. Moreover, Brady was capable of sensing and reacting against backside pressure.

Mechanics

This already goes without saying. A quarterback must be able to do proper throwing motion or the so-called mechanics. He must know how to perform the basics, including throwing motion and follow-through. This is not of great importance during the selection, though—it can be taught.

Size

There’s always a “baseline.” Often, NFL quarterback prospects would look for a player who can meet 6’2” and 220 pounds requirement. However, having bigger physicality doesn’t immediately mean you’re the best.

One great example is the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson. He currently stands at 6’0,” which leans on the smaller side. However, he had undoubtedly high-level accuracy, vision, leadership, arm strength, and not to mention footwork compared to other giant quarterbacks.

Takeaway

Almost every spring, the pesky question of what-happens-during-NFL-draft has always been asked by many new football enthusiasts. Even other die-hard, long-term fans are still skeptical about it. However, the criteria for scouting a quarterback should be discussed more than anything else during the player selection meeting. Whatever listed here is incomplete. Still and all, this list can nail down the most common factors used to select NFL prospects during the draft.