2015 NFL Draft: Brett Hundley is Worth Gambling On

If you know anything about the 2015 NFL Draft, it’s likely that the options at quarterback are slim. Jameis Winston of the Florida State Seminoles is slated to go No. 1 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Marcus Mariota of the Oregon Ducks could go No. 2 to the Tennessee Titans, but the fun ends there.

While there may not be another quarterback worth taking in the first round, UCLA Bruins star Brett Hundley is worth selecting on Day 2.

Hundley’s faced everything from massive levels of intrigue and devastating forms of criticism. For as many people who were awe-inspired by his efficiency, just as many were troubled by his flawed mechanics.

As teams weigh their options in Round 2, however, Hundley’s name will come into play. Bryce Petty is projected to be the third quarterback to come off the board, but Hundley is creeping up for that distinction.

Whether it’s before or after Petty, the Second Team All-Pac-12 star is worth gambling on.

Hundley finished the 2014 season with 3,155 passing yards on a dazzling 69.1 percent completion rate. He also threw 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions, which was yet another sign of his learning to make the proper reads and passes.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that he ran for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Hundley is learning the hard way that great numbers and progression don’t always lead to the ideal draft stock. While he’s certainly backed up the hype, the group who had him slated as a Top 15 prospect entering the 2014-15 season has all but disappeared.

Declining hype doesn’t mean as much as it seems.

Hundley is a 6’3″ field general with a solid frame and tantalizing athleticism. He’s explosive when slipping out of the pocket and as tough to bring down as any quarterback in this draft class.

If nothing else, Hundley’s combination of size, elusiveness, foot speed and poise in the pocket should grab your attention.

Unfortunately, being poised in the pocket hasn’t exactly translated to his being trusted as a pocket passer. He can struggle with his accuracy and is more of a short-to-intermediate thrower whose wide receivers do the work for him.

The good news: he wouldn’t be the first of his kind.

Players including Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith and Russell Wilson all ranked in the deep passing attempts. Newton, Rodgers and Wilson are significantly more competent downfield creators than Hundley, displaying consistency in throwing their players open.

Smith, however, is similar to Hundley given his size, mobility and short-route accuracy to pick defenses apart.

Smith may not be the biggest name in the NFL, but he’s a respected commodity with an NFC Championship appearance and a 2013 postseason berth under his belt. Hundley isn’t quite on Smith’s level from a reads perspective, but that can be coached.

One thing that Hundley should be commended for: natural arm strength. Accuracy and reads are the next development.

Whichever team does end up selecting Hundley must work with the understanding that his progression will take time. Jim Mora threw him to the wolves, at times, and trusted Hundley to make decisions on the run.

If a team is willing to follow a different path by being patient with Hundley and developing him behind a veteran, he could be a special talent at the next level.

Next: Where will Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston fall in the 2015 NFL Draft?

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