Ryan

Nassib

Per Pauline, it’s “not out of the question” one of the three trades back into the “late part” of the first round to land the Orange signal caller. The Bills and new coach Doug Marrone are also believed to be keen on Marrone’s college quarterback. The QB picture remains murky, but Nassib’s chances of going on day one are beginning to look better than 50-50.

It’s hardly “ideal” size, but falls in line with comparisons to Andy Dalton and Kevin Kolb, among other modest-sized QBs. Opinions on Nassib are all over the place, likely primarily because he displays great arm strength in the short to intermediate but flutters and misses downfield. He’s a top-75 prospect.

“If I’m a team that needs a quarterback and wants the Syracuse kid, I know I’ve gotta get ahead of Buffalo in the second round,” said an AFC executive. Per Silver, it’s “hard to conceive” the Bills taking new coach Doug Marrone’s college quarterback at No. 8, but that could change if he “starts shooting up draft boards.” Nassib’s stock is murky, but he won’t fall beyond day two.

Draftniks are also split on Nassib; National Football Post’s Russ Lande rates him as the No. 1 quarterback available in the draft while others believe he’s an Andy Dalton type at best. New Jets OC Marty Mornhinweg recently had dinner with Nassib. Mornhinweg runs a West Coast offense, and Nassib could be a second-round fit with short to intermediate accuracy and a quick release.

Cosell has made it clear Nassib is his top-rated quarterback in this year’s draft. “He’s not a top arm talent, he doesn’t have a gun,” Cosell acknowledged of Nassib. “But ... I saw elements of a young Drew Brees. And when I say a young Drew Brees, I mean with San Diego, when he was sort of developing his career. I think Nassib has some of those same physical traits with his ball location, his anticipation.” Cosell emphasized that “accuracy and ball location” are Nassib’s best qualities. “He does not miss routine throws.”

The 4.84 probably provides a better picture of Nassib’s straight-line speed; he got too high out of his running stance on the second attempt. Nassib is a decent athlete with highly questionable downfield arm power and accuracy. He’s another difficult-to-read quarterback in terms of where he will be drafted.

Cosell agrees with Russ Lande of the National Football Post, who also grades Nassib as this year’s top signal caller. Cosell cited Geno Smith’s “slow eyes” in terms of anticipation and “ball location” on intermediate to deep throws as reasons for concern. “My No. 1 quarterback based on the film study I’ve done is Ryan Nassib,” Cosell said. “I liked him overall more than Geno Smith. I think he’s a much more precise intermediate thrower. I think the ball comes out with a little better velocity at the intermediate level. And I think he’s a little more accurate. And I like his footwork a little bit better.”

Manuel has leapfrogged Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib, NC State’s Mike Glennon, and USC’s Matt Barkley in the eyes of some personnel men, and could be a first-round pick. Teams have reportedly been “unable to sell themselves” on Barkley, Glennon, and Nassib, and Manuel has the “raw talent” and more “potential.” Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris “wouldn’t be surprised” if Nassib was the first quarterback taken, so there is obviously a wide range of views on the group.

“Nassib proved that he could make the difficult plays when there wasn’t a clean pocket,” said Gruden. “He didn’t have a great supporting cast, no disrespect to Syracuse. But there were times that Nassib had to make something happen for Syracuse to win, and I thought he did that enough to prove that he can do it at the next level.” Gruden also called West Virginia’s Geno Smith “as complete from a versatility standpoint as anyone in this draft.”

New coach Gus Bradley isn’t going to go down with the old regime’s problem in Blaine Gabbert. The Jags are going to come out of this draft with a quarterback they like, and they appear to be higher on Barkley than most. While Nassib is expected to be a Bill before Round 1 is over, Barkley is likely to be available when Round 2 opens. The Jags may be able to hide his weak arm in the throwing-friendly stadiums of the AFC South.