Broncos fans furious about the possible loss of quarterback Jay Cutler might be able to take solace in knowing that the top-rated quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, Georgia’s Matthew Stafford, is already being compared to a Pro Bowl player.
Jay Cutler.
So, if the Broncos end up trading Cutler and getting a high draft pick, Stafford could be in play.
Stafford, 6-feet-3 and 228 pounds, has the makings of a young Cutler, with a strong arm and a good pocket presence, and even his build is similar. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has predicted Stafford will go No. 1 in the April 25 draft.
The other quarterback getting the most pre-draft attention is Southern California’s Mark Sanchez.
Both Stafford and Sanchez, 6-3, 225 pounds, are coming out a year early. , one of the more respected draft sources, rates Stafford as the best NFL-ready quarterback in the draft.
The report said the “reason why he may go first despite his average stats: his arm strength.”
Stafford threw for 7,731 yards and 51 touchdowns in his three years at Georgia, where he was 27-7 as a starter. rates him highly for his work habits and toughness, adding, “He is a bit of a gambler who will force the ball into tight areas to make the play rather than throw the ball away, leading to some costly interceptions.”
Sanchez, meanwhile, started only 16 games, and his decision to leave early surprised USC coach Pete Carroll, who unsuccessfully tried talking him out of it. He threw 41 touchdown passes in 27 games and completed 64 percent of his passes.
“I think he’s extremely ready,” said new Washington Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian, who was Sanchez’s offensive coordinator at USC. “He’s as ready as any quarterback we’ve had. There’s not a throw he can’t make. He’s got the ability to move in the pocket. He’s got a great understanding of the game, not only from an X’s and O’s standpoint but he has all the intangibles to be a tremendous leader.
“He also brings a charisma and an enthusiasm that makes guys around him better.”
According to the NFLDraftScout report on Sanchez, “There’s no question he could have greatly benefited from another year in college, but he is a smart passer, doing a nice job of making reads and following through with his progression.”
The report compared Sanchez to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, who has had an up-and-down pro career.
NFL draft order
1. Detroit Lions
2. St. Louis Rams
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. Cleveland Browns
6. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Oakland Raiders
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Green Bay Packers
10. San Francisco 49ers
11. Buffalo Bills
12. Denver Broncos
13. Washington Redskins
14. New Orleans Saints
15. Houston Texans
16. San Diego Chargers
17. New York Jets
18. Chicago Bears
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
21. Philadelphia Eagles
22. Minnesota Vikings
23. New England Patriots
24. Atlanta Falcons
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Baltimore Ravens
27. Indianapolis Colts
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)
29. New York Giants
30. Tennessee Titans
31. Arizona Cardinals
32. Pittsburgh Steelers
