I recall many folks being big fans of Donald. Khalil Mack was one I was a big fan of and did like Barr, Mosley and Shazier if I remember right. However, we needed a QB and that’s where I focused my time. Most people didn’t consider the class to offer much and I shared that sentiment. For me I only liked two guys outright and one developmental.
#3 Blake Bortles - not sure what people recall but I was not a fan at all. If I remember right he fell near the bottom of my top five. He was adored by experts but I didn’t see him as an end of 1st round early 2 guy. The biggest issue I remember having with him was field vision and decision making. I felt both areas were sub-par but I was in the minority on that. Many liked him. He’s actually been better than I expected if that gives you an idea of where I was at with him.
#22 Johnny Manziel - I also rated him 4 or 5 and I’m pretty sure off the board for awhile. I saw potential with him but he was such a headcase. I also felt he was inflated because Mike Evans made him look so good. Many thought he wouldn’t be worth a crap once he got paid and he certainly didn’t disappoint.
#32 Teddy Brodgewater - Teddy ran 1st or 2nd on my board. I really liked his decision making and overall ability to make plays. I recall for most of us there was concern around his build and staying healthy. The other knock people had for him was throwing power. I disagreed with many on this and felt he had a good enough arm. I thought higher of him than most though. I expected it to get better as well. It’s horrible to think about what could have been. Teddy wasn’t the flashiest but I felt he was the kind of guy who could win, especially with a good defense. In my estimation his development was picking up speed and he had a very bright future. Tough injury.
#36 Derek Carr - I was a huge fan of Carr out of the class. I felt he had the most natural throwing talent. The concern as it was for pretty much everyone I remember was the system he was coming from can take time to adjust. Accuracy was another area of concern and I think that was a valid issue but he has improved finishing 9th last year. People were not high on him on the board with some not being fans at all.
It’s hard to fathom but he’s the last guy from the class still with his original team. In my estimation he’s been the best QB by a wide margin, especially comsidering the team he has had around him. He’s had pretty decent weapons but their defense and line for some of it has been attrocious. Here are his stats:
2018
68.9
4,049
19
10
93.
2017
62.7
3,496
22
13
86.4
2016
63.8
3,937
28
6
96.7
2015
61.1
3,987
32
13
91.1
2014
58.1
3,270
21
12
76.6
Career
62.8
18,739
122
54
88.8
He certainly hasn’t been the best but he’s a middle of the pack guy and would have been a huge upgrade for us. I saw a Matthew Stafford level of player and he’s generally fallen into that category in my opinion. I do think his best football is ahead of him and it will help having Chucky in charge now from a coaching standpoint. In many ways I don’t see him as much different caliber wise than Cousins.
#62 Jimmy Garappolo - I saw Jimmy as a solid developmental guy with real potential. I would say an evaluation for me still reads incomplete. Having been taken by the Pats sort of changed his career trajectory so we’ll see how he does coming back from injury.
The rest? I didn’t like any of them and there’s not a single one left in the league. Crazy right! Even Jamie’s great love Mettenberger is out of the league lol! It’s fun to look back an eye opening to see how it shook out.