1. Matt Ryan, Boston College

6’4” 220 lbs

Matt Ryan is a big, strong-armed pocket passer who can make all of the NFL-caliber throws. His toughness, mentally and physically, was constantly tested throughout his career at Boston College and he rose to the challenge at every turn. Whether it’s leading his team to a comeback victory in a two-minute drill on the road in poor weather, or gutting out an entire season with a high ankle sprain and broken foot, Ryan’s been there/done that.

Ryan is an intelligent player with a strong work ethic, as evidenced by his command of head coach Jeff Jagodzinski's pro style offense in his only year of operating it. While Ryan’s no gazelle, he can maneuver around the pocket to avoid the rush and make accurate throws on the run. Ryan shows good touch on short passes as well as long passes that he drops over coverage. Ryan’s biggest asset is his leadership skills. He’s a winner who teammates rally around.

While he’s fairly good at reading defenses and generally accurate with his throws, Ryan still has a tendency to force passes into tight coverage that can lead to interceptions. When plays break down, he sometimes makes poor decisions.

Having been a starting QB throughout high school and college, he has made strides every year and has a bright future in the NFL. At worst, he’ll be like Gus Frerotte. But Ryan certainly has the potential to be like Brett Favre.

2. Joe Flacco, Delaware

6’6” 235 lbs

Joe Flacco has the best arm, in terms of strength and accuracy, among all of the QBs in the 2008 draft. For such a big guy, he’s a natural, fluid passer who throws accurately even when flushed out of the pocket. Flacco will never be known for his mobility, but he has a good feel for pressure and will step out of trouble to make the play. Flacco shows good instincts and poise. He hits receivers in stride and will put the ball where only his receiver can make the catch.

Flacco’s an unselfish player who led many drives deep into the red zone through the air only to have his team score on the ground via RB Omar Cuff punching it in for the TD. Hence, his numbers could have been gaudier. Flacco was adept at running the no huddle and typically operated out of the shotgun formation. But he adjusted well to handling the snap from under Center at the Senior Bowl.

Not only does Flacco have a cannon for an arm where the ball explodes out of his hand, his TD-to-interception ratio is incredible. He went from an 18/10 ratio in 2006, to a 23/5 ratio in 2007. He accomplished this even after losing his best receiver, TE Ben Patrick, to the NFL. Flacco is the prototypical pocket passer who can make any throw, including the deep out.

Flacco’s biggest challenge will be adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL since he’s coming from Division I-AA. The only reason he’s not the #1 rated QB in this year’s class is because of the lower level of competition he faced in college. At times, he forgets how strong his arm is and throws the ball too hard.

But Flacco is not your typical I-AA player since he transferred from Pittsburgh after the coaches who originally recruited him got fired and new head coach Dave Wannstedt preferred Tyler Palko as his starting QB. Even though Wannstedt wouldn’t let Flacco out of his scholarship, Flacco paid his own way to transfer and selected I-AA Delaware so he could compete for a starting job right away rather than sitting out a year.

Flacco is laid back but competitive. He’s a tough but quiet leader. He’s more football player than athlete. At worst, he’ll be like Neil O’Donnell. We project him to be like Drew Bledsoe or Carson Palmer.

3. Josh Johnson, San Diego

6’2” 200 lbs

Josh Johnson is the quintessential late bloomer. Not heavily recruited out of high school, for his small size, former San Diego head coach Jim Harbaugh saw something special in Johnson who has blossomed into one of the most electric collegiate QBs in the nation.

Imagine if Vince Young had good QB mechanics and a pass-first mentality. That’s what we see in Johnson. Though he’s an extremely athletic player who can make special things happen with his legs, he prefers using his rocket arm. In 2007, Johnson accrued an impressive 43-1 TD/INT ratio.

Like Flacco, Johnson’s biggest challenge will be adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL since he’s coming from a Division I-AA school.

At worst, he’ll be like Kordell Stewart. We project Johnson to be like Steve McNair or Randall Cunningham.

4. Brian Brohm, Louisville

6’3” 225 lbs

Why is Brian Brohm rated this low and behind two QBs from Division I-AA? Because it’s not as much about collegiate accomplishments as it is about how the player projects to the next level. Brohm’s poor mobility and his penchant for getting hurt really hinder his chances for success in the NFL. Combine that with the fact that his backup at Louisville, Hunter Cantwell, often performed just as well as Brohm did when Cantwell filled in for the injured QB, and it attributes to Brohm’s current stock.

However, if Brohm can stay healthy, he has the tools to develop into a competent QB in the NFL. Brohm is a smart player who comes from a family of QBs who’ve played at the college and pro levels. He’s got a good work ethic and loves to play football. His arm isn’t the strongest, but is strong enough to make most throws. He’s adept at going through his progressions but needs to make quicker reads. He also has trouble escaping pressure and is not good at improvising when plays break down. This is what exposes him to injuries.

If Brohm can stay healthy, we project him to be like Stan Humphries or Drew Brees.

5. John David Booty, USC

6’2” 210 lbs

John David Booty is an effective passer on short to medium range (5-15 yards) throws. While he has the arm strength to get the ball beyond 20 yards, his accuracy becomes inconsistent at this range and beyond. Booty’s biggest strength is his intelligence and quick decision-making. He will not force throws and will throw the ball away if the play is not there. Booty is diligent in selling the play action pass and has a smooth throwing motion. He is not a physical QB and will avoid contact whenever possible. Booty projects to be a long-term backup in the NFL a la Frank Reich. However, under the right tutelage, he could develop into a Matt Hasselbeck.

6. Chad Henne, Michigan

6’2” 225 lbs

Chad Henne is a solidly built player who looks the part of a QB. His biggest strengths are his leadership and ability to take control of the huddle. Despite having a strong arm and considerable experience, Henne’s accuracy and decision-making remains inconsistent. He is also not fleet of foot. Henne projects to being a Trent Dilfer.

7. Bernard Morris, Marshall

6’3” 215 lbs

Bernard Morris is an intriguing talent who has the physical tools to develop into a solid NFL QB. He’s raw, but has a strong arm and the mobility to make plays with his legs. His accuracy can be erratic, but with patience and proper guidance, Morris can iron out the wrinkles in his game. He had some maturity issues early on at Marshall, but has improved as both a leader and playmaker throughout his career. Already, he’s as good as Tavaris Jackson. We believe he can at least become Aaron Brooks if not Doug Williams.

8. Andre Woodson, Kentucky

6’4” 220 lbs

Andre Woodson put up some impressive statistics over the past two years at Kentucky, leading the school and conference in passing TDs. However, despite being touted as a mobile QB, Woodson was sacked 38 times in 2007. In watching game tape, many of the sacks resulted from Woodson holding on to the ball too long due to indecisiveness. He has a hitch in his throwing motion and his accuracy is also very inconsistent. Woodson’s shortcomings are the same that have hindered the likes of Byron Leftwich and Tony Banks.

9. Colt Brennan, Hawaii

6’2” 190 lbs

Colt Brennan’s success at Hawaii was directly correlated to June Jones’ spread offense and the WAC’s inability to match up against it. Brennan lacks the arm strength to consistently make NFL-caliber throws with accuracy. He also lacks ideal size. Given Brennan’s skill set, he’s better suited for the Arena Football League.

10. Eric Sanders, Northern Iowa

6’0” 200 lbs

Eric Sanders is a former walk-on who became a star at Northern Iowa. He lacks the size and arm strength of your typical elite prospect, but he’s a tough and accurate passer. He ran the West Coast Offense to precision at UNI and led 12 fourth quarter comebacks in his career. Sanders is developmental QB who has the potential of becoming a Jeff Garcia.

Others of Note

(in alphabetical order)

Erik Ainge, Tennessee

6’5” 220 lbs

Without elite skills, Ainge has nevertheless had a good college career. He’s got tremendous heart, but his passes can be ugly. If he makes it as a pro, he’ll be a back-up a la Jaime Martin.

Alex Brink, Washington State

6’3” 215 lbs

Brink’s arm is just not good enough for the NFL.

Dennis Dixon, Oregon

6’4” 205 lbs

Dixon is more athlete than QB. He’s best suited for the spread option that’s so en vogue in college these days.

Tyler Donovan, Wisconsin

6’0” 185 lbs

Donovan is a tough kid, but is undersized to make it at the next level.

Matt Flynn, LSU

6’2” 220 lbs

Flynn is a project, but if he sticks with it and someone gives him an opportunity, he has the potential of becoming a Jake Delhomme.

Sam Keller, Nebraska

6’4” 230 lbs

Keller has the size but is mechanical, unimpressive and inconsistent with his throws.

Bret Meyer, Iowa State

6’3” 210 lbs

Meyer has poor mechanics and has not developed as a QB despite teasing us with flashes of promise early on in his college career.

Blake Mitchell, South Carolina

6’3” 210 lbs

Poor decision-maker with character issues.

Anthony Morelli, Penn State

6’4” 230 lbs

Morelli looks the part of an NFL prospect, but has not made much improvement since his freshman year at Penn State. Despite having a great arm, he still makes very poor decisions.

Kevin O’Connell, San Diego State

6’6” 220 lbs

O’Connell is more athlete than QB. He’d be better off switching to a different position, such as WR, a la Matt Jones.

Paul Smith, Tulsa

6’2” 190 lbs

Smith’s tremendous college stats were a product of Tulsa’s spread offense. System aside, he’s just a very average QB.

Adam Tafralis, San Jose State

6’1” 220 lbs

Tafralis shows decent poise in the pocket and is accurate on the short throws.