2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[Icness]

Would Winston be the clear number one in this draft? Or do the legal questions torpedo his value?

Gotta see how the legal process plays out. He's certainly the most gifted and talented quarterback in college football in terms of how it translates to the NFL. He throws like Drew Brees but moves like Cam Newton.

[Harry Palmer]

Would Winston be the clear number one in this draft? Or do the legal questions torpedo his value?

Gotta see how the legal process plays out. He's certainly the most gifted and talented quarterback in college football in terms of how it translates to the NFL. He throws like Drew Brees but moves like Cam Newton.

Thanks man, glad to see you see it too. The weird thing about this whole legal thing is that the Noles guys I know swear this kid's best asset might actually be his leadership, where he's apparently a prodigy.

Just weird.

[Worm Guts]

He's extremely talented, but I've never seen him run like Cam Newton.

[Da Schwab]

He's extremely talented, but I've never seen him run like Cam Newton.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he hasn't really had to. He's incredibly patient in the pocket and has receivers that have a knack for getting open. I've never really seen him make a tragically bad throw, nor have I seen him pull the trigger too soon on leaving the pocket. He also does a really great job at throwing his receivers open, so taking off and running is really his last option.

I think that's what will set him apart from guys like Cam and RG3 when he gets to the NFL, between his intelligence and his tools, he won't have to rely on his legs to get him out of a bind with the quicker blitzes at the pro level. He'll obviously need to get better at making some pre-snap reads, but I don't think I've seen a guy step into any offense at any program and look so polished from day one.

[Worm Guts]

He's great in the pocket and I don't really consider it a flaw, but I don't think he can run like Newton or is even exceptionally mobile for that matter.

[Icness]

Winston is not a great runner, but he moves and carries himself like Cam does. Long, powerful strides with light feet for a big man, keeps his shoulders squared and hips open very well. Just the way he drops back to set up and pass is similar too.

Biggest thing I want to see from him next year is the ability to throw guys open. Right now he can just put it near Benjamin or Greene and they can make the tough, contested catch. I want to see Jameis lead them clean open more consistently.

[Next Coming]

Jameis Winston could get to this level but as a prospect Teddy Bridgewater is just a notch below Andrew Luck & Cam Newton. He has everything in his locker.

We have to take into account Winston is working with NFL ready WR's and an NFL OL at the moment too. Want to see how he progresses over the next 18 months before I put him in the Luck/Newton/Bridgewater class.

[Next Coming]

Any idea how many QBS may be coming out? Is Jimmy Garoppolo gonna shoot up boards at all? And do you know his age because despite all the articles i can't seem to find it, all i find is hes a Senior.

He'll end up being a mid round/developmental pick. I like him a lot. Footwork betrays him at times but if he lights up the East/West Shrine game you're going to hear his name a lot more. Coming from the same alma mater as Sean Payton and Tony Romo doesn't hurt.

[Icness]

Jameis Winston could get to this level but as a prospect Teddy Bridgewater is just a notch below Andrew Luck & Cam Newton. He has everything in his locker.

We have to take into account Winston is working with NFL ready WR's and an NFL OL at the moment too. Want to see how he progresses over the next 18 months before I put him in the Luck/Newton/Bridgewater class.

Well said.

I watched Bridgewater vs. Cincinnati and I loved that he fought through a poor start and finished strong, never let bad throws fester or bother him. Very Luck-like.

[Celtics_Champs]

Hey it, Andre Williams, what's his ceiling? Thanks.

[Icness]

Honestly I have not watched a lot of Williams on a critical level. Against VT I loved his balance but not his vision. Not sure what his top-end speed will look like but it's not elite. I think he's a 4th-5th rounder from what I gather but that's just educated guesswork.

I saw a little of Eddie Lacy style-wise. He goes where the play is designed and makes the most of it. Not a big cutback runner, though he does it more than Lacy (he never does). Rashard Mendenhall is that kind of runner too, though IMO Williams isn't as shifty/quick.

[SpeedyG]

I'm seeing Bortles rise up on some mocks to the point of him being a 1st rounder. What's the fascination with him? He seems like a solid guy to me, with just enough accuracy, arm strength, physical tools to become eventually a solid QB in the NFL...but not one that I'd consider a franchise guy. That he plays in a spread-like offense where he's not asked to drop back from the center and read coverages just adds to my concerns for him and why I would not want taking him early in the draft.

[gswhoops]

Is there any truth to the rumors that Carr could potentially pass Bridgewater as the #1 QB?

[Icness]

I'm seeing Bortles rise up on some mocks to the point of him being a 1st rounder. What's the fascination with him? He seems like a solid guy to me, with just enough accuracy, arm strength, physical tools to become eventually a solid QB in the NFL...but not one that I'd consider a franchise guy. That he plays in a spread-like offense where he's not asked to drop back from the center and read coverages just adds to my concerns for him and why I would not want taking him early in the draft.

I am very much with your line of thinking on Bortles.

What one person who I greatly respect in QB evaluation has insisted about Bortles is that he really doesn't have any holes to his game. He's big, he's athletic, he's smart, he's accurate, he's a natural leader, he's mentally tough. He lacks any great standout traits but gets like a B/B+ across the board.

To me, that's Matt Hasselbeck, or going back in time, Boomer Esiason. You can win with those guys but you'd better have a good team around them.

Having said that, it would not surprise me if he goes in the top 12.

[Icness]

Is there any truth to the rumors that Carr could potentially pass Bridgewater as the #1 QB?

Short answer is absolutely he can.

Longer answer is that he will have to really shine during Senior Bowl week, but there are a lot of folks who would like someone to push Bridgewater. There is a school of thought (not sure I'm on board) that TB coasted a little this year, and teams want to see him respond to the challenge of his alleged superiority. I think some of the talk about Carr is related to that.

But yeah, Carr has a great deal of talent. People make the Stafford comparison because he throws from varying platforms and can get lazy with his mechanics, but still has a rocket of an arm. I see that, but Stafford was more NFL-ready from Georgia. He had played vs. great defenses, played pro style, made multiple reads over the entire field. Carr hasn't played anyone and the Fresno offense isn't exactly challenging.

Bridgewater will be my top-rated QB, period. He's got a lot of similarities to Andrew Luck, might be more accurate from the pocket. Luck had better experience vs. better competition, more impressive and obvious football IQ.

[gswhoops]

Thanks Ice. This may be a stupid question but...does David Carr factor into the Texans' thinking on Derek Carr at all?

[Icness]

Thanks Ice. This may be a stupid question but...does David Carr factor into the Texans' thinking on Derek Carr at all?

Not a stupid question at all. It will bother some fans but the regime that had Carr is long gone. If anything, having his brother flop only helps on the desire front.

I've never met Derek but folks who have really talk up his drive and his maturity. Looking forward to seeing him at Senior Bowl week.

[Da Schwab]

If anyone wants to see what all the Jimmy Garappolo hype is about, he and EIU will be on ESPN2 tonight in an FCS Playoff game vs. Towson.

[Icness]

If anyone wants to see what all the Jimmy Garappolo hype is about, he and EIU will be on ESPN2 tonight in an FCS Playoff game vs. Towson.

I wasn't overly impressed, looked like a 2 year developmental at least. Lots of wide open receivers from scheme, doesn't have to make many real tough throws into coverage.

The RB from Towson sure impressed. Five senior linemen helps though.

[Ong_dynasty]

What positions is this year draft deep at and what are they quite weak at?