2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mike Glennon

Strengths:
  • Cannon for an arm
  • Quick release
  • Plus mechanics
  • Big pocket presence
  • Great height
  • Can make all the throws
  • Good deep-ball thrower
  • Huge upside
  • Large hands
  • Can get hot and dominate in stretches
  • Displays a gunslinger mentality
  • Book smart




  • Weaknesses:
  • Accuracy issues
  • Decision-making
  • Ball security, prone to interceptions
  • Not mobile, statue in the pocket
  • Takes a lot of hits
  • Footwork needs real improvement
  • Won’t make plays with his feet
  • Project as a player
  • Inconsistent
  • Needs to gain weight


  • Summary: In a normal year for quarterbacks, Glennon would be a mid-round pick who would be considered a developmental signal-caller. However, the weak 2013 draft class makes Glennon one of the top quarterback prospects and a candidate to go in the first round. The demand at the position is always huge, and Glennon’s physical skill set could cause a team to look past his warts.

    Glennon has an absolute cannon for an arm. He can make all the throws to every level of the defense. Glennon can beat defensive backs on deep outs or deep throws along the sideline just on the strength of his arm. He also has good height to see the field.

    That being said, Glennon has a lot of flaws as a prospect. The biggest problem is a lack of accuracy. He is prone to overthrows in the middle of the field. Glennon also can get in ruts where he struggles to make completions and move the chains. Glennon’s accuracy would improve if he gets better feet. Improved accuracy and footwork will be an immediate objective of whichever team lands him.

    Linked with his accuracy, Glennon’s decision-making and ball security are huge problems. He consistently threw interceptions in bunches during his collegiate career. Glennon started out his senior season with four interceptions against Tennessee and ended it with three interceptions versus Vanderbilt.

    Glennon completed 58.5 percent of his passes in 2012 for 4,031 yards, 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. There were definitely times where he played better than his numbers indicate as N.C. State had a weak supporting cast.

    Glennon took over the reins from Russell Wilson in 2011 and had a productive debut. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,054 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Glennon destroyed the weak teams, but had some struggles against the better teams he faced.

    Glennon will be a significant developmental project in the NFL. Pushing him into the starting lineup may not be a good idea unless he has a great supporting cast with a robust run game. Glennon could use time watching and learning about pro defenses. If he plays immediately, it wouldn’t be surprising if he has flashes of brilliance from his athletic skill set, but also turns the ball over frequently with repeated stretches of accuracy problems.

    Glennon needs to become more accurate and drastically reduce his turnovers in order to be a good starter as a pro. He has an elite arm, but unless he develops those other skills it won’t be enough.



    Player Comparison: Derek Anderson. Anderson was a sixth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2005 NFL Draft. He had some success in 2007, but he has proven to be just an NFL backup. Anderson (6-6, 235) is a statue-like pocket passer who has a big arm. Glennon is the same kind of quarterback. He grades out as a second-day pick who could sneak into the first round, but he and Anderson have similar playing styles.

    If Glennon turns into a good pro quarterback, he could be a signal-caller who is comparable to Drew Bledsoe in playing style.

    NFL Matches: Arizona, Buffalo, Kansas City, Jacksonville, New York Jets

    There are a lot of quarterback needy teams that could talk themselves into using an early-round pick on Glennon. While he doesn’t grade out as a first-rounder, he could go in the top 32 just from the demand at the position. If Glennon falls into the second round, there are options for him.

    Arizona and Buffalo may be desperate enough to consider Glennon in the first round. If those teams pass on him there, they definitely could target him in the second round or with a trade back into the end of the first to land him.

    If Kansas City decides to use the first-overall pick on a non-quarterback, Glennon could be a target for the Chiefs second-round pick.

    The Jaguars and Jets feature busts Blaine Gabbert and Mark Sanchez as their starters. Both players are top competitors for being the worst quarterback in the NFL. Jacksonville and New York could strongly consider Glennon in the second round as a replacement for those disappointments.



    NFL Draft Rumors


    Jan. 4: Mel Kiper predicted that Mike Glennon will be the first quarterback chosen in the 2013 NFL Draft. Kiper suggested that Glennon will be a top-15 pick.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.







    RELATED LINKS:


    2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports






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