The Top 5 Quarterbacks Outside of the First Round and Where They Could Land

2014 NFL Draft: Top 5 Quarterbacks Outside of the First Round By Travis Jaudon January 28, 2014 3:46 pmThe 2014 NFL Draft is loaded with talented quarterbacks. Plenty of flash highlights the 2014 QB class boasting playmakers like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Teddy Bridgewater. Many experts predict these three guys to go in the first round and probably within the first ten selections. Unlike previous draft classes however, this QB crop will feature plenty of talent in the later rounds. If teams with established quarterbacks can pick the right guy to develop, there can be plenty of gems to be found on days two and three. The following is a list of the top five quarterbacks outside of the "Big 3."5. Tajh Boyd, RS Senior, Clemson Tajh Boyd is as electric as a quarterback can be. The Clemson product has shown the ability to throw while on the run and in the pocket. The most improved aspect of Boyd’s game has been his footwork in the pocket. Boyd struggled as an underclassmen with consistency, but he saved his best campaign for his last. He has mastered the read-option while improving in pro-style drop-backs. Boyd single-handedly bailed Clemson out of many deficits, and his leadership abilities have grown from that. Boyd still needs to prove he can make NFL caliber throws. Many times at Clemson he was asked to simply get the ball in their various playmakers hands via screens, slants, etc. He has not shown the ability to consistently throw the ball down field while on the run which is a vital trait for an NFL quarterback. Bottom Line: 5th Round - Kansas City Chiefs4. Jeff Matthews, Senior, Cornell Matthews is certainly a risky pick in the middle rounds, but he jumps off the screen when watching him. A massive frame (6-4, 225) and cannon of an arm will be enough to earn Matthews at least a shot on Sundays. In his four years starting at Cornell Matthews amassed countless school and Ivy League records. He has an NFL ready arm and does a great job keeping his eyes down field while moving up in the pocket. He has shown serviceable mobility for a bug guy but he won’t run away from anyone. Having physical ability combined with his Ivy League smarts, Matthews can make the jump if given the right chance. Obviously he does show some flaws. Much like Matthew Stafford, Matthews tends to change arm angles needlessly while in the pocket. He also tends to hold on to the ball too long causing rushed or influenced throws. Matthews needs to work on staying still in the pocket and using his legs rather than just his arm to make down the field throws.Bottom Line: 5th Round - NY Giants3. AJ McCarron, RS Senior, AlabamaThe Crimson Tide product was the model of winning, consistency, and leadership while in Tuscaloosa. McCarron made considerable progress in shaking his reputation as a “game manager” in 2013. He was a top-tier deep ball passer and often made excellent decisions pre and post snap his senior year. His ability to see the entire field is something scouts certainly like and his experience in a pro-style system is rare these days. Playing in the pro-style will help McCarron if he is drafted by a team running the west coast offense, as this emphasizes quick passes and three step drops more often than not. McCarron moves fairly well (4.84) and has decent pocket presence while keeping his eyes downfield.AJ will no doubt be drafted with some unanswered questions. He has always played with explosive playmakers, behind an excellent offensive line, and under a great coach. People around the league may wonder if he can shoulder the burden of being a franchise quarterback in the NFL, and rightfully so. McCarron does struggle with holding on to the ball too long while in the pocket. He often neglects throwing the ball away in favor of a few more seconds to scan through his options. This tendency will not be allowed to continue in the NFL, but it won’t take long for McCarron to fix that.Bottom Line: 4th Round - Dallas Cowboys 2. Derek Carr, RS Senior, Fresno StateDerek Carr is a player that I am personally not sold on just yet. Many experts believe Carr to be worthy of a late first round pick, but I don’t see it that way. That being said, I do see Carr as an NFL caliber quarterback. He has an arm that can make all of the throws and a build (6-2, 215) that withstand hits over the long haul. Carr has an impressive ability to fit passes into small windows seemingly with ease. He makes pre-snap adjustments very well due to good preparation. Carr also has surprising athleticism without having blazing speed (4.78).Derek Carr played in a pass heavy offense at Fresno State leading to inflated numbers that do not tell the whole story. Playing mostly out of the shotgun, Carr will need to prove to scouts that he can work from under center in the NFL. Another concern surrounding Carr is the competition he played against. His final outing at Fresno, which ended with a bad performance in a losing effort against USC, will do little to shake that concern for scouts. My main concern with Carr however is that he will consistently hurry passes when shown a blitz. Often times Carr will show awful mechanics when given a sloppy pocket to throw in. Finally, Carr stares down receivers at an alarming rate. That has never worked in the NFL. In the long run I do think Carr will get drafted high, but I don’t think he is ready to run an NFL offense just yet.Bottom Line: 2nd Round - Tampa Bay Buccaneers1. Zach Mettenberger, RS Senior, LSU I never liked Zach Mettenberger as a quarterback. That being said, no one player has ever changed my opinion like Mettenberger has done the past two years. He did wonders to change his football career while playing in 2013. Blessed with what may be the strongest arm in the 2013 class, Mettenberger can make every throw necessary to not only play, but thrive at the next level. I always saw him as a gunslinger who lost more than he won when betting on his right arm, but that simply was not the case in 2013. Playing in the toughest conference in the country, Mettenberger picked apart defenses with ease. He has tremendous ability to throw the ball with touch over the linebacker level and in front of the safeties. I believe he throws the best post route of anyone in the draft. He also does an excellent job of staying focused down field while still avoiding contact in the pocket. He succeeds with regularity in hitting backs in the flats and throws an above average deep ball. Playing under Cam Cameron in 2013, Mettenberger picked up the offense very quick, something that will no doubt impress scouts.There are a few concerns with Zach Mettenberger in the NFL. He is not a threat to do damage passing or running when out of the pocket. Most of his drop backs will end in a pass or a sack. He relies on a clean pocket to succeed, but does have the build (6-5, 235) to withstand bumping while making a throw. Mettenberger also needs to improve on throwing with velocity down field rather than always trying to “touch” the ball to his targets. I believe he is the fourth best quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft, but he will be drafted much later than that.Bottom Line: 3rd Round - San Diego Chargers http://www.footballnation.com/nfl/