With Oregon’s Justin Herbert possibly returning to school for the 2019 season, I reached out to four NFL scouts for their opinion on who will be the first quarterback selected in a Herbert-less draft class. Three quarterbacks received votes: two for Missouri’s Drew Lock, one for Duke’s Daniel Jones and one for West Virginia’s Will Grier. I can’t say I was surprised by those responses with all three offering different strengths and weaknesses at the quarterback position. Without a clear-cut top-three at the position, the pre-draft process (Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine, etc.) will be especially important to separate each passer.
I have been highly critical of Missouri QB Drew Lock (6-3, 225, 4.80) for his senior season struggles and rightfully so with his below average situational production in 2018. But he removed a sizable monkey from his back on Saturday, leading the Tigers to a 38-17 win over Florida in the Swamp. Lock finished with 75 percent completions (24 for 32) for 250 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. It marked his first career win over a ranked opponent, losing the previous nine such matchups. Missouri finishes with three very winnable games (vs. Vanderbilt, at Tennessee, vs. Arkansas) and if Lock sustains the high level of play through November and into the pre-draft process, he will make it very tough on a quarterback-needy team to pass on him in April’s first round.
