In this segment of the 2019 QB Countdown series, NBC Sports Washington will look at some top rookie signal callers in this year's draft, scout them and project their chances of landing with the Redskins. Up next: Dwayne Haskins.
There is no debate about the top quarterback prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. That’s Kyler Murray.
After that, however, there is a debate between Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock out of Missouri.
Haskins was a star in one season in Columbus, throwing for 50 touchdowns and guiding the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl. Seriously, 50 touchdowns.
He’s big and strong and can make every throw that needs to be made on a football field. He’s a pocket passer, and in the NFL, that skill still very much matters.
There are questions, though.
He’s slow. He’s not a statue — he has pocket awareness and the capability to slide — but sometimes his footwork isn’t great. He has sailed the ball some as well.
For many NFL coaches, there just isn’t enough tape on Haskins to derive a firm opinion. He only started one year in college, after all.
“Haskins has a unique skillset. He’s big, strong and can really throw it,” Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said.
But Gruden had questions, too.
“Is he going to be ready for the first year? Ideally a couple of these guys you’d like to have them sit a year maybe to get them in your system, learn to get to know your guys and play, especially those guys who only played one year.”
Gruden and ‘Skins team president Bruce Allen watched Haskins up close last week at Ohio State’s Pro Day. Allen said that Haskins had a “tremendous workout.”
For Washington, Haskins probably won’t fall to the 15th pick where they hold a selection. The team could trade up, but that doesn’t seem a clear option at this point.
Haskins seems like he will be a very good NFL quarterback, but some analysts think there is real bust potential, too. The offensive system the Buckeyes run is far from pro style, and accuracy questions persist.
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