The Best NFL Draft Prospect at QB Isn't a First-Rounder....or a Second

By Zach Gilliland

The best prospect coming out of college this year at quarterback won't hear his name called Thursday night...or Friday night. The best quarterback prospect will walk across the stage on Saturday in the third round: Mr. Mike Glennon.

Mike Glennon has a lot of upside, and he reminds me a lot of Peyton Manning. He may not have quite the arm that Manning has, but is similar to him because of his mind for the game. This guy could come into an NFL Training Camp and compete for the job right away based solely on his football IQ. Many rookies come into the league and have the talent to play but are not prepared mentally for what defenses throw at them. Glennon has as much football smarts as any prospect coming out this year, and reminds me a lot also of Andrew Luck the way he is able to outsmart defenses. Glennon is a very tall guy and can make pinpoint throws with precise accuracy. Glennon may not compare to the Lucks' and RG3's of recent drafts, but he is much more NFL-ready than any of the other quarterbacks coming out.

In an already dismal year for quarterback draft prospects, the two spotlight performers are both likely to be busts. Geno Smith has a lot of talent and that was on display this past year at West Virginia, but questions have arose concerning his work ethic.  I see Smith as most comparable to Jamarcus Russell. Like Russell, Geno Smith had a successful college career and is a big-bodied quarterback. They both have cannons for arms and are athletic quarterbacks. Russell never panned out in the league of his inconsistency and lack of preparation both mentally and physically.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Mike Glennon of North Carolina State (8) throws against the Senior Bowl south squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports.

Barkley is the next in the long line of Southern Cal quarterbacks to the NFL. Hopefully, he can do something that none of the others have done: be successful in the league for a sustained amount of time. Carson Palmer has had his moments, Sanchez had one good year, Cassel did good enough to steal Kansas City's money, and Leinart is still just the ladies-man, backup quarterback. After all these unsuccessful USC quarterbacks, can Barkley be the one that break the streak? No. Barkley looked phenomenal his junior year, but when the pressure arose his senior year he was not to be found in the spotlight. Turnovers and injuries got in the way of Barkley's Heisman run his senior season, and I don't see the NFL being any different. Barkley has a lot of talent and a good an arm as I have seen, but he is not mentally ready for the NFL and this will show if he is given the chance to play.
 
As I see it now from this draft class, Geno Smith won't make it through his rookie contract, Barkley will be another pretty-boy backup, and these two will both watch as Mike Glennon becomes the league's next big star.

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