2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Teddy Bridgewater
Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater jumps during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Player Evaluation
At 6’3″, 208 pounds, Bridgewater doesn’t necessarily have the body of that of a typical NFL QB, however he makes up for it with technique and precision accuracy. According to numerous scouts and Bridgewater’s tape, the former Louisville Cardinal has a great combination of short-range accuracy and athleticism. For example though at the Combine Bridgewater admittedly wasn’t as spectacular as scouts projected him him to be, however he did show some bright spots. As far as the individual work outs are concerned, Bridgewater played well. The former Northwestern High graduate was able to jump 30 inches, run a 4.79 40-yard dash and 9’5″ broach jump. When looking at Bridgewater’s overall skill set and abilities, one defining characteristic is Bridgewater’s short game. Throughout the season TB showed he was able step back in the pocket, wait back for receivers to get open, use his feet when needed and fire an accurate throw. He has pretty goo size for an NFL QB, however his weight and muscle definition could be a question mark seeing as that ankle and wrist problems have plagued Bridgewater at the University of Louisville.
Where he differs from most QBs is in the fact that he is mainly a short-range QB which while some teams may want the down the field accuracy of perhaps Derek Carr or Blake Bortles, I think the majority of the teams in the NFL should value his short-range accuracy. After all, it is short range situations in the red zone that can be absolutely crucial to the success of NFL ball clubs. What’s more is that at the University of Louisville Bridgewater ran a pro-style offense for the majority of the season. Unlike Carr or Manziel who were predominantly shotgun offenses, Bridgewater showed during the season that he was able to effectively get the ball from under center, drop back through his progressions and fire a relatively quick ball. During his pro day, Bridgewater’s throws were at times a bit misguided and shaky according to some. As stated by Bridgewater himself, part of the reason that he was unable to throw as accurately as he usually did was because of the fact that he took off his throwing glove (something he had worn all of his Louisville career). He has great passing mechanics that will only improve as the years go by.