The 2019 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks was a difficult one to be excited about throughout the season. Some of the elite quarterback play we saw at the college level is not eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft and the Heisman-winning quarterback had everyone under the assumption he was going to play a completely different sport.
Using a threshold on statistics like QBR, air yards per attempt and on-target percentage to eliminate certain prospects, these are my top-5 quarterbacks for the 2019 NFL Draft.
1. Kyler Murray – Oklahoma
Heisman-winner Kyler Murray is an incredibly gifted quarterback. He has the accuracy and strength to complete throws at every level of the field. He threw for over 4300 yards and 42 touchdowns and has the athleticism to get out of the pocket and pick up yards with his feet, finishing the season with almost 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
[Also See: NFL Mock Draft 2019, 1.0]
Size is the main knock on Murray right now. With the recent successes of Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson, size at the position is becoming less of an actual concern. With that said, I believe the only major issue would be Kyler’s official measurables being listed under 5’9”.
2. Dwayne Haskins – Ohio State
First-year starter Dwayne Haskins had a great year leading Ohio State to a 13-1 record, throwing for over 4,800 yards and 50 touchdowns. Haskins is a big-armed pocket passer with enough athleticism to gain a short distance first down. He is an efficient passer in the shallow-to-intermediate ranges. His deep-pass accuracy can carry a little too much touch at times but as he gets more reps and experience, expect this to progress.
Expect Haskins to be the first quarterback off the board for carrying almost no significant flaws.
3. Will Grier – West Virginia
This is where things get cloudy. Will Grier led the Mountaineers to an 8-3 record (did not play in bowl game) throwing for 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns. Grier met all of my thresholds exceedingly well but for me this comes down to watching the tape. Playing in the Big-12 with some of the worst defenses you’ll see in college football, it made it easy for him to flash.
Grier is capable of being an NFL starter with teams willing to adapt to more spread and air-raid type concepts.
4. Brett Rypien – Boise State
Brett Rypien finished up an incredible career with Boise State throwing for 3,705 yards and 30 touchdowns in his senior season. Rypien’s success in his career has boiled down to how accurate of a passer he is. He has a great touch on deep balls and anticipates receivers in open space really well. He lacks the elite arm strength to make tight window throws.
Rypien has the ceiling of being a replacement level starting quarterback. I see him being drafted behind most of the guys on this list but staying in the league for much longer.
5. Drew Lock – Missouri
Coming into the 2018 season, there was a lot of hype about Drew Lock becoming the top quarterback of the 2019 class. Lock really struggled in 2018, especially in the tougher spots against the better SEC teams in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky. Lock has great arm strength and can reach any part of the field. The concern is whether the ball is going to be on target. Lock’s biggest struggle is with making anticipatory throws. The inconsistency with accuracy should prevent him from being a Day 1 pick.
Lock looks the part of an NFL quarterback and will probably be drafted in the first round, undeservingly.
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