NFL Draft: The Myth of the Sure Thing QB
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates after the Ravens
Flacco was drafted out of little Delaware. Some were shocked when the Ravens pulled the trigger on him with the 18th overall pick. Since then he has become a star, winning the Super Bowl and getting a huge contract. He still isn’t a perfect QB but he is considered at least a Top 15 guy by most. Not so much coming out of college.
Flacco left Pittsburgh after he was unable to beat out Tyler Palko. He transferred to little Delaware where he got to play and played well. Some concerns were evident about Flacco though:
"Negatives: Wasn’t able to beat out Tyler Palko at Pittsburgh and only became a starter after transferring to lower level Delaware. … Protected at Delaware with a strong running game. … Improved feel in the pocket, but still hangs on to the ball too long and isn’t particularly mobile. … Took the majority of the snaps at Delaware in the shotgun, raising questions about his ability to make the transition to the typical QB-center exchange, especially considering his lack of foot quickness. … Can slide up into the pocket to buy time, but isn’t going to scare defenses with his scrambling ability. … Tends to lock-on to his receivers."
Most don’t even know who Tyler Palko is which is enough to say that Flacco was nowhere near considered a sure thing coming out. He has produced well in the NFL.
Next: RG3