NFL Draft 2017: 5 reasons why Mitch Trubisky could be No. 1 pick
By Joel W. Cade
5. Most pro-ready quarterback in the NFL Draft
For all of Trubisky’s flaws, he remains the most “pro-ready” quarterback in the draft. He is a pocket passer who was asked to read defenses at North Carolina.
Several positive things jump off the tape about Tribusky. He has a strong arm. He can make every NFL throw. He stays in the pocket. Pocket awareness is a major problem for quarterbacks coming out of college. However, Trubisky stays in the pocket and avoids pressure.
His NFL.com scouting report states the following about Trubisky:
"Quick through his progressions and will double back to targets if his protection allows him time. Pocket mechanics and throwing motion are solid. Tough and competitive. Shows courage and poise in the pocket. Throws passes from balanced platforms and rarely defaults to an off-balance throw unnecessarily. Has all the arm you need. NFL call sheets will be wide open with Trubisky at the helm. Can dial up deep field-side outs with accuracy. Ball comes humming out of his hand when he needs to spike his velocity. Arm talent to whip a catchable throw from difficult angles to targets outside the numbers. Makes the standard “pitch and catch” throws with consistent accuracy. Ball usually comes out on time."
A quarterback who sits in the pocket, gets rid of the ball on time accurately will succeed it the NFL.
Yet there are questions about Trubisky. The biggest question about Trubisky is his one year of starting. While it is true that one year starters have a higher bust rate than those with multiple years starting, Trubisky remains the most pro-ready of this years quarterback class. So he must have done something right in his one year starting. Scouts just want to see him do it two years in a row.
His NFL.com scouting report describes his weakness as those similar to any quarterback coming out of a spread offense in college:
"Almost 98 percent of his dropbacks came from shotgun. Will have to learn NFL footwork from under center which could take time. Benefits from offense loaded with RPOs (run-pass option) that pull linebackers forward and open easier throwing windows. Played in space-based passing attack that didn’t often ask him to throw to tight windows in traffic."
His biggest weakness right now seems to be his lack of playing time in college.
The Browns may take Trubisky simply because they need a quarterback and he is the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft.