Most importantly, he doesn't play in coach-heavy, QB friendly system - he's reading defenses and making throws into tight windows unlike Marcus Mariota (and Geno Smith).
Description of the system:
The Rams will run out of a number of different formations, from two-back sets to five-receiver schemes. They’ve even got one where the two tackles split out wide to one side, with a receiver lined up behind them. The pro-style offense that former coach Jim McElwain brought with him from Alabama three years ago has evolved into a dizzying array of shifts, motions and formations under offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, who will serve as the interim coach for the bowl game. The Rams, Baldwin said, have 89 right-hand formations when you add up all the possible shifts and motions. They can give the same 89 looks to the left, too.
“Preparing for us is unique,” Baldwin said. “… We’re going to give you every look, so that you have to prepare for it and still execute; that’s the key.
“So it’s a multiple-formation offense with multiple personnel with multiple flavoring on it.”
The learning curve to get it all down was steep, CSU players said. That’s why it took them so long to figure it all out.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/football/2014/12/16/csu-offense-among-nation-best/20505283/Another decent breakdown of the CSU offense:
https://florida.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1714529So it sounds like he's definitely got the capacity to learn and run a complicated offense, and from the tape it looks like the mental part of his game is there, anticipating when receivers will get open, looking off safeties, checking down.
I don't really see that athleticism on that tape, he looks slow and borderline clumsy on the few times there was any real pressure. His throwing motion isn't slow but it's not fast either. He doesn't have the arm talent of Dereck Carr or the release of Garoppolo. Would like to see him taking more snaps from under center, too.
Maaaybe late second round, but more a mid-round talent from what I can see so far, imo. Definitely not going to be an impact rookie QB. Can't see him sneaking into the first round no matter how shallow the QB class is this year.
