FanPost

Taking a look at the top Quarterback options in the 2015 Draft

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So, we learned a couple things in the Eagles' loss to Dallas last night. The first is that the Cowboys must find Jerry World and Cowboy Fans as irritating as the rest of us, since they always seem to save their best performances for when they're on the road.

But the other thing we learned is that the next great Eagles Quarterback probably isn't on the roster yet. Despite the steam that the "Sanchize" Bandwagon picked up over his first few starts, Mark Sanchez is pretty clearly a backup/emergency starter on a contending team. And while Foles looked great in his first season, he hasn't really given much confidence that he'll be able to prolong that over his career.

So, with that in mind, I threw together a very quick rundown of the Top Quarterback Prospects in the upcoming 2015 draft. Whether the Eagles actually look to take one remains to be seen, but it's good to keep an eye on your options.

1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon, 1st Round

Should be obvious, but this still needs to be said. Take a deep breath and repeat after me: Trading up for Marcus Mariota is a bad idea. Trading up for Marcus Mariota is a BAD idea. TRADING UP FOR MARCUS MARIOTA IS A BAD IDEA.

Starting tomorrow, look yourself in the mirror and recite that phrase at least twice, maybe three times a day until the draft. Between now when someone actually selects the Heisman winner at the draft, every NFL "Insider" in the country is going to churn out DOZENS of stories about the idea of Chip being reunited with his former Ducks recruit. No matter what they tell you, remember it should NOT be the Eagles calling his name.

Mariota is clearly the #1 Quarterback coming out in this Draft Class, and he'd definitely be a huge upgrade at the position for the Eagles. He's got the talent and character of a Franchise QB. But he falls short of being the new Andrew Luck. Mariota WILL be a project at Quarterback. Not a massive one, and almost certainly a rewarding one for whichever team takes him, but he won't be ready to lead the team from Day One. His role in Oregon's dynamic offense have made some wonder if his fundamental QB skills, like dropping back for a downfield pass, might need some tuning, and while his accuracy and decision making can be pinpoint, there are flashes of inconsistency.

Again, these are nitpicks that could easily be smoothed out with proper coaching, and there's probably no better situation for him than being paired up with his old College Coach and his system. But for the massive cost it'll take to draft Mariota to even be up for discussion, he'd need to be ready to lead the team from the start. Since that's not happening, neither is seeing him in Midnight Green.

2. Jameis Winston, FSU, 1st Round

The Yin to Mariota's Yang, Winston is arguably the more talented of the two, but good Lord, does he fail the spot check on off-the-field issues. The kid's a walking maelstrom of controversy, and even though underneath it all there's sparkling potential for a brilliant Quarterback, you're taking a gamble that he'll be able to pull all of it together. Either way, he's also FAR out of the Eagles reach, and since there's no connection that'll be having everyone link him to Philly, we don't really need to break it down any further.

3. Brett Hundley, UCLA, Late 1st - Early 2nd

As of right now, he's mostly being seen as an early second round, late first round selection, which theoretically puts him right in the Eagles targets. If Philly is serious about looking for a future Quarterback, Hundley will probably be the first name they look at. However, out of all prospects at the position, he's the one with the fastest rising stock. With a good showing at his bowl game and during his Pro Day, the UCLA Quarterback could easily find his way into the middle of the First Round.

But lets assume he stays somewhere in the Eagles' sights. In many ways, Hundley is seen as a sort of Poor Man's Mariota. He has all the attributes of a great Quarterback, with ideal size, solid arm strength and the potential to be an explosive dual-threat. He's also made progress in using that elusiveness to buy time in the pocket, and has a quick release to his throw.

However, there's also been plenty of criticism for the Bruin Playmaker. More than anything, he's been very inconsistent in utilizing his talent and physical gifts. His accuracy and ball placement have been heavily scrutinized during his college career, though he has been making steady progress in cutting back on interceptions and raising his completion percentage over the years. Although elusive in the pocket, he's been criticized for holding onto the ball for too long, tallying an overwhelming 123 sacks during the past three season. Most of all, he hasn't proven to be a reliable commodity in the pocket, and has a habit of turning to the scramble after eluding the first defender.

Overall, while possessing the raw talent and measurements to be a success in the NFL, there is a LOT of work to be done on Hundley before you can hand him the keys to your offense. The potential is there, but he'll clearly be a long-term project before he can fully realize it. However, if the Eagles are willing to stick with Foles, Sanchez or some other stop-gap QB for another season or two while he develops, he could be a perfect fit for Kelly's offense.

4. Bryce Petty, Baylor, 2nd Round

Considered the best Senior QB in the draft, Petty is a traditional choice in Quarterback. With prototypical size and toughness, he has also been said to have many of the intangibles you look for in a leader. Countless members of the Baylor Organization have vouched for his sterling intangibles and command of the offense. He could also be a good fit for Kelly's quick-strike style, as he's been more than capable of marching Baylor's pass-heavy offense down the field his entire college career. He has excellent touch on his throws and strong placement.

The big knock against Petty is his difficulty adjusting during the play. He's rarely, if ever, out of Shotgun formation, and when he's forced out of his spot by defenders, his game quickly crumbles. Once he's forced into motion, he struggles to regain composure, let alone find a target downfield. He's been accused of predetermining his options, and being poor at recognizing and adapting to an opposing defense on account of it. There are also questions surrounding the accuracy of his long throws.

In short, Petty probably has the lowest ceiling on this list, but, short of Mariota and Winston, he has the highest floor. You know what you're getting, and that's a big, strong Quarterback who can can run a quick offense and march you down the field as long as he's well protected. If he can be coached into adjusting better to pressure, his value could rise even higher, and a good Pro Day could move him from his spot in the late second round all the way up to the first.

5. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, 2nd Round

"Rich Man's Tim Tebow" isn't exactly a phrase that's going to fill anyone with confidence, but it seems to be the general consensus on Prescott's NFL profile. At least some of that stems from them both being guided by Dan Mullen, the Bulldog's breakout Head Coach this season and Florida's Offensive Coordinator during Tebow's dominant stretch at Gainsville. The comparison was probably inevitable.

But that doesn't mean it isn't fitting. Certainly, if nothing else, Prescott is explosive. His skill as a runner is pretty much beyond question, since his size and quickness easily allow him to overwhelm opposing defenders. He also took a massive step up as a passer this year, throwing for over twice as many yards and three times as many touchdowns (8 to 24) as the year before. He can muster some powerful throws when he gets his feet set, and there's reason to believe he can improve further.

He'll have to, though, if he wants to cut it in the NFL. Although the progress he made this year was great, it still wasn't nearly enough to sell many scouts on him turning the corner as a passer, and many have commented he sometimes decides who he's throwing to before the snap. He struggles trying to complete passes when he's outside his comfort zone, and his accuracy dives when doesn't have a chance to set his feet. He also struggled against top opponents this year (Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss), and when they were able to shut him down on the run, his passing game suffered greatly.

In summary, we circle back to "Rich Man's Tebow". His arm is better than Tebow's was, and there's more reason to think he can develop into at least an average passer, but as of right now, you're looking at a skillful Runningback who can function as a decent Quarterback in the right situation. If he can be even halfway acceptable through the air, he could be the kind of dual-threat that gives Defensive Coordinators fits. And while it's easy to see how he could thrive in Kelly's high-octane, quick-strike offense, it's also easy to see him fizzling out in the pros.