Ohio State Football: Dwayne Haskins not a ‘Lock’ to be 2nd QB drafted
It was thought Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins was a lock to be one of the top two quarterbacks taken in the draft but that may not be the case.
After his terrific season leading Ohio State to a 13-1 record, a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl win most thought Dwayne Haskins was a lock to be one of the first two quarterbacks taken in the NFL Draft. Now another may pass him by.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock’s stock continues to rise according to the draft pundits. Some of the so-called “experts” have him possibly being the second QB off the board with another moving up in the eyes of general managers as well.
Could it be that a player once considered a top quarterback prospect could slide down and become a late first round pick? Before you dismiss the possibility of that happening to Haskins you may want to consider these things.
In 2005 Aaron Rodgers was expected to be a high draft pick after an outstanding junior season leading Cal to a 10-1 record and a top 5 ranking. General managers of teams needing a quarterback questioned his NFL potential because the offensive system he played in was conducive to quarterbacks putting up big numbers.
It was difficult to watch him that draft day as one team after another passed on him until the Green Bay Packers chose him at No. 24 to eventually take over for Brett Favre.
That leads me to my next point, NFL general managers often try to out-think the room which is why there are so many first round busts. In Haskins’ case, I think front office personnel are putting more stock in a player’s performance in shorts and a T-shirt at the NFL Combine and / or their Pro Day than when he was wearing pads on Saturdays. Which leads me to this.
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Both Lock and Duke’s Daniel Jones, the other QB whose stock is rising, have proven to be more mobile than Haskins and also have very good arms. The NFL is a copycat league and several teams are having success with those types of quarterbacks of late.
Teams in need of a quarterback may be thinking of going that same direction instead of looking at a QB who is running out of fingers to put Super Bowl rings on. Tom Brady isn’t mobile at all but gets the ball out quickly, is extremely accurate and makes great decisions. Those are Haskins’ strengths.
The New York Giants are his favorite NFL team, need a QB and have the No. 6 pick. General manager Dave Gettleman shouldn’t try to out-think things and draft Haskins at that spot. Then he may have a franchise quarterback for the future.
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Haskins can be groomed by veteran Eli Manning until he’s ready to take over as the starter. Manning isn’t exactly a mobile QB either but he does have two Super Bowl rings and plenty of wisdom to share. If Gettleman decides to go that direction he may not be looking for another top-flight quarterback for at least a decade.