{"id":51030,"date":"2020-04-02T09:12:47","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T14:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51030"},"modified":"2021-08-29T06:35:56","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T06:35:56","slug":"patriots-draft-preview-day-three-quarterback-options-for-the-patriots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51030","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Draft Preview: Day Three Quarterback Options for the Patriots"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots during the Bill Belichick era are the best team in the league at evaluating talent on day three of the draft and in undrafted free agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Roughly 40 percent of NFL starters are players selected after the first three rounds or signed as free agents, and Belichick is the best evaluator at finding those hidden gems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen Brady (sixth round), Edelman (seventh round), Slater (fifth round), Samuel (fourth round), and countless others come through New England and star as day three selections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also remember, out of the 11 Pats quarterback selections since 2000, seven of them were day three picks, and only one, Jimmy Garoppolo, went in the first two rounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the first two installments of this series, we highlighted the top prospects<\/a> and day two<\/a> options in the 2020 class, but the Patriots are more likely to wait until the final day to select a quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you get to the later stages of the draft, NFL-caliber arm strength becomes harder to find, and weeds out many prospects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the first three rounds, it\u2019s a given that a player has pro arm talent, so the evaluation becomes more about the other nuances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Pats, accuracy and decision making top the list, even on day three, but they’ll pass on smart throwers that don’t have the arm talent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ll review our favorite day three quarterbacks for the Patriots, Washington State\u2019s Anthony Gordon and Iowa\u2019s Nate Stanley, who both have the tools to make an NFL roster:<\/span><\/p>\n

ANTHONY GORDON, WASHINGTON STATE (ROUND PROJECTION: FOUR OR FIVE)<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The stigma against air raid quarterbacks is starting to wear off with players like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, and Gardner Minshew having varying degrees of NFL success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the successor to Minshew, Gordon only started one season but finished second in the FBS to Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in passing yards (5,579) and touchdowns (48) in 2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to his inexperience and awkwardness in the pocket, Gordon is a developmental prospect, but he has more passing talent than Minshew, who had a great rookie season with the Jags.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gordon shouldered most of the load in Mike Leach\u2019s pass-happy system, and his ability to get the ball out on time is already at an NFL level, grading out as the best passer in the FBS on throws within ten yards of the line of scrimmage, according to Pro Football Focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gordon also had an FBS-best 14 big-time throws between the numbers, an 81.1 percent completion rate releasing the ball in 2.5 seconds or less, and a 90.3 grade when kept clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gordon\u2019s ability to throw with anticipation and read through coverages make him particularly efficient on passes to the middle of the field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/streamable.com\/s\/pqh2a\/sqmrut” \/]<\/p>\n

On this play, Gordon gets excellent protection from his offensive line to scan the field. The coverage is rotating towards the strength of the formation and into a three-deep structure. Gordon knows he has a dig route coming across the field in the opposite direction of the backend rotation, which presents a clear passing window on the other side of the zone-dropping linebacker. Instead of waiting until his receiver comes free, Gordon throws the ball to a spot, starting his release well before the wideout clears the underneath linebacker. The anticipation on throw allows his receiver to run into the pass and gives the linebacker no time to defend the throw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/streamable.com\/s\/5vd7f\/aiwwtt” \/]<\/p>\n

Gordon is at his best in the quick passing game due to his processing speed and snappy release, attacking soft spots in zones or throwing at out-leveraged defenders in man coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His lightning-quick release also helps him generate extra velocity on his passes and allows him to throw with zip from different platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/streamable.com\/s\/h95j8\/uvuvsv” \/]<\/p>\n

Here, interior pressure forces Gordon to leave the pocket. As he extends the play, his receiver works himself open downfield. Gordon generates the necessary velocity to get the throw roughly 25 yards downfield without setting his feet because of the power in his release.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/streamable.com\/s\/q5rt7\/nbyimu” \/]<\/p>\n

Gordon\u2019s ability to throw from different arm angles makes it easy for him to get rid of the ball when the pocket collapses, even if he can\u2019t rely on his lower-body for velocity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he\u2019s at home in the quick-game, Gordon also made some impressive deep throws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Anthony Gordon sees slot defender lined up outside of his slot with safety lined up on the hash. Probably clued him that they would rotate to C1.<\/p>\n

Makes a check for WR to run fade.<\/p>\n

Quick-release and anticipation don't allow FS to make a play on the ball. pic.twitter.com\/IxgR9pVK56<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) January 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n