Is Matt Barkley the favorite to go No.1 in 2013?

Sat May 5, 2012 1:00pm
By the National Football Post

Breaking down the game of USC QB Matt Barkley…

What I like…

BarkleyICONBarkley is always in control of the offense.

- He showcases the ability to get out from under center, maintain balance and accurately work the three-step game.
- Possesses a compact delivery and can get the ball out quickly.
- He’s a smart kid who deciphers information well in the face of pressure and quickly/accurately can find his secondary outlets.
- Possesses a wide throwing base from the pocket, doesn’t need to consistently step into throws in order to generate velocity as he transfers his weight well off his back leg.
- Exhibits the ability to anticipate throws on all levels of the field, throwing receivers open and letting go of the football before receivers get out of their breaks.
- He’s a “plus” thrower on the move. Generates good torque from the hips and displays good accuracy and arm strength when asked to get outside the pocket.
- Collects himself quickly in the boot action game, is a quick decision maker on the move, can settle his feet quickly and get the ball out on time.
- Is a three-year starter who has battled adversity and really matured into the leader of the USC football team.
- Exhibits a good feel in the pocket. Calmly side steps pressure and keeps his eyes down the field through the play.
- Does a nice job manipulating defenses, moving the safety and calmly working his progression back across the field.

What I don’t like…

- Possesses a very average skill set. Lacks ideal size and overall arm strength.
- Is a bit limited as an athlete, isn’t going to run away from any NFL defenders.
- Looks a bit slow-footed in the pocket. Doesn’t reset his feet once he widens his base.
- Accuracy gets inconsistent because of struggles to quickly reset plant leg. Gets rushed because he knows the ball needs to come out on time, but struggles to reset and balance his footwork quickly.
- The same inconsistencies show up on bucket throws as he at times fails to collect himself. Will rush passes and fall off throws and/or not always stride toward his target.
- Will throw blind when finding secondary options, knows the ball needs to come out, but will force passes into coverage when working back across the field.
- Doesn’t always spin the cleanest of footballs, might struggle in cold/windy conditions.

BarkleyBarkley has a high floor, but isn't a lock for the first overall pick.

Overall…

Barkley has been working in a pro style system for three years, deciphers information well, is adapt at handling the blitz and consistently looks to be in control of the USC offense. He’s a high floor prospect who should be able to come in and compete at a higher level than most NFL quarterback prospects.

Nevertheless, there are some physical limitations surrounding a prospect like Barkley, as I worry about his less than impressive athleticism and foot quickness in the pocket. Too often he seems to struggle to quickly collect his footing, which directly corresponds with his accuracy problems. Plus, he’s limited on the move and possesses only average arm strength.

Overall, I think as of now he’s the favorite to be the number one overall pick in the 2013 draft and should mature into a quality NFL starter, in the Matt Ryan type mold. However, I wouldn’t be shocked to see one of the more physically talented quarterbacks in the deep 2013 QB class (Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech or Tyler Bray, Tennessee) end up jumping him when it’s all said and done.

Follow @footballpost on Twitter for the latest news

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Lorenzo AlexanderJun 19 10:57a

Arizona Cardinals LB Lorenzo Alexander is expected to get his chance to start at right outside linebacker, as he tries to unseat LB O'Brien Schofield. LB Jasper Brinkley is [ More ]

Jerraud PowersJun 19 10:54a

Arizona Cardinals CB Jerraud Powers has an injury history, but he also has a connection to head coach Bruce Arians from their days together with the Indianapolis Colts. Powers [ More ]

Vernon DavisJun 19 09:03a

San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis practiced exclusively with the wide receivers in the most recent minicamp.

Josh ThomasJun 18 10:33p

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera says both cornerback spots are wide open, but CBs Josh Norman and Josh Thomas spent a lot of time working with the first-team [ More ]

Ben HartsockJun 18 10:33p

Carolina Panthers TE Ben Hartsock spent most of his first nine seasons in the NFL clearing space for running backs and protecting quarterbacks, rarely getting any balls thrown his [ More ]

Levi BrownJun 18 10:23p

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday, June 18, that OT Levi J. Brown (triceps) was 'very rusty' during minicamp, but he added that Brown's 'skills are still [ More ]

Rob GronkowskiJun 18 06:53p

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm), who underwent surgery to fix a spinal issue in his back Tuesday, June 18, has hopes of returning to action late [ More ]

Aaron HernandezJun 18 06:13p

New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was questioned by police investigating a possible homicide in a town 40 miles south of Boston Tuesday, June 18. The police were interested [ More ]

Rob GronkowskiJun 18 05:13p

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) underwent back surgery Tuesday, June 18. It is believed the surgery was successful.

Randy StarksJun 18 04:53p

The Miami Dolphins and DL Randy Starks are not close on a long-term contract extension. It is expected that Starks will play out the final year of his contract [ More ]

Stephen NicholasJun 18 04:13p

Atlanta Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and Stephen Nicholas (hernia) both participated in minicamp practice Thursday, June 18.

Tim TebowJun 18 01:43p

The New York Jets are paying the Denver Broncos $1.53 million in 2013 as part of their trade agreement for QB Tim Tebow. Tebow signed a two-year, $1.36 million [ More ]

Chad JohnsonJun 18 01:13p

Free-agent WR Chad Johnson (Dolphins) was released from jail after serving seven days of a 30-day sentence in relation to violating probation of his domestic violence conviction. Johnson expressed [ More ]

Joseph RandleJun 18 10:35a

The Dallas Cowboys believe RB Joseph Randle can be a full-time running back if something happened to RB DeMarco Murray. Randle will have to compete with RBs Lance Dunbar [ More ]

DeAngelo WilliamsJun 18 09:23a

Carolina Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert received plenty of repetitions in OTAs with RB Jonathan Stewart (ankles) on the mend.

Vonta LeachJun 18 08:23a

Free-agent RB Vonta Leach (Ravens) said he'll decide on a new team within two weeks, but he prefers to sign with the Houston Texans.

Desmond BishopJun 17 08:03p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) said he is motivated as a result of his release. "There's something about being released that's definitely going to add another chip to my [ More ]

Cliff AvrilJun 17 07:03p

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said DE Cliff Avril (foot) should be ready for the start of training camp. Avril misses the organized team activities and most of [ More ]

Michael RobinsonJun 17 06:53p

Seattle Seahawks FB Michael Robinson is expected to compete with RB Spencer Ware during training camp for the starting fullback job.

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:43p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) did not rule out the possibility of re-signing with the Green Bay Packers if he is not able to find the compensation he is looking for from another team.

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:33p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (hamstring) said he has completely recovered from the hamstring tear he suffered during the preseason in 2012.

Brad JonesJun 17 06:23p

Green Bay Packers LB Brad Jones is likely to be a starter for the team this year after they released LB Desmond Bishop Monday, June 17.

Bryant McKinnieJun 17 06:23p

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said OT Bryant McKinnie did well during offseason workouts and is happy that McKinnie is working on his conditioning. 'Bryant did a really [ More ]

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:03p

The Kansas City Chiefs could show interest in free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) because general manager John Dorsey was with the Green Bay Packers when Bishop was there.

Desmond BishopJun 17 05:23p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) said he is scheduled to meet with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, June 18.

Desmond BishopJun 17 05:13p

The Green Bay Packers have officially released LB Desmond Bishop.

Miles AustinJun 17 04:03p

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin said he believes sitting out some practices during organized team activities and minicamp helped him not overwork his hamstrings. Austin has dealt with hamstring problems the last few seasons.

Desmond BishopJun 17 03:03p

The Green Bay Packers will release LB Desmond Bishop.

M. BernadeauJun 17 02:23p

Dallas Cowboys OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (shoulder), OG Nate Livings (knee) and OT Jermey Parnell (hamstring) are expected to be ready for the start of training camp. All three missed [ More ]

Tony RomoJun 17 02:13p

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) is expected to be fully recovered from his back surgery next week and will try to throw some passes to the remaining players at the team's facility.

Wes WelkerJun 17 01:33p

The Denver Post's Mike Klis estimates that the Denver Broncos' passing offense would reach its peak if Demaryius Thomas gets 85 receptions and Eric Decker and Wes Welker each [ More ]

Kyle WilliamsJun 17 01:23p

San Francisco 49ers WR Kyle Williams is the pre-training-camp favorite for the 'X' wide receiver spot, ahead of A.J. Jenkins, who holds the slot advantage, and others.

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group