2018 NFL Draft: Pro comparisons for top quarterback prospects

The 2018 NFL draft class is stacked with quarterback talent, and some of these young gunslingers resemble a few of the league’s best quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks will always be compared to their veteran counterparts. Much like Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady, or Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, quarterbacks with similar attributes always seem to be mentioned in the same breath.

This is never more true than when talking about the NFL Draft.

While the 2018 NFL Draft class has yet to set foot on an NFL field, a few quarterbacks have already drawn similarities to players in the league. Looking at the similarities of these quarterbacks offers a perspective of the types of plays these future rookies can make at the next level.

Josh Allen, Wyoming

NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco

Allen didn’t impress with his numbers in college, and he didn’t get his hype from attending a big school. Largely, Allen has shown scouts that he can play at a high level with his ability to throw an accurate, deep ball downfield. Joe Flacco also struggled in college and didn’t get recognition until his senior year at Delaware where he threw for over 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.

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While both men attended small schools, NFL scouts were impressed with their large stature. Allen, at 6-5, 233 pounds is just a little smaller than Flacco at 6-6, 245 pounds. Also like Flacco, Allen has good size and arm strength, something that will help the young quarterback reach his potential in the future.

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

NFL Comparison: Dak Prescott

Mayfield’s moxie and personality make him unlike most quarterbacks in the NFL. However, on the football field, he is very similar to the Cowboys starting quarterback, Dak Prescott. Mayfield and Prescott are both excellent at making plays outside the pocket and firing accurate balls downfield. The two quarterbacks are also very good at limiting turnovers and putting their team’s in a position to win.

Mayfield’s biggest strength as a passer is his accuracy and his nack for the playing well in big moments. The Heisman winner has a lot to prove to critics and doesn’t have the luxury of flying under the radar like Prescott did out of college. Mayfield’s success in the NFL may depend on if he can handle the pressure of big moments like he did in college.

Josh Rosen, UCLA

NFL Comparison: Matthew Stafford

Josh Rosen is a pure passer with all the skills needed to succeed as a starter in the NFL. The UCLA product will have to improve on some aspects of his game to reach the level of his quarterback comparison, Matthew Stafford. Both quarterbacks easily pass the “eyeball test” with their ability to throw tight spirals, find open receivers and read defenses.

However, like Stafford, Rosen can make poor decisions with the football and have a little too much confidence in his ability to fit a ball in tight windows. Rosen is far from the most athletic quarterback in his class, but he can extend plays in the pocket and make very impressive throws. If he’s able to limit the mistakes, Rosen could develop into a top-tier quarterback.

Sam Darnold, USC

NFL Comparison: Derek Carr

Darnold’s stock may have dipped after failing to match an unbelievable 2016 season with the Trojans, but he is still young and has plenty of growing room as a quarterback. Darnold shares striking similarities with the Raiders quarterback, Derek Carr. The two have the ability to light up the stat sheet and throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, but they can also have games where they look average.

Next: Grading each 2017 first-round pick after rookie year

Darnold is a very good athlete and, like Carr, can make plays with his feet and his arm. With exceptional creativity and the raw ability to throw as well as anybody in his class, Darnold can become an excellent starting quarterback in the NFL; it just may take some time.

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