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NFL QB Draft evaluation: what matters more?

Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:19 pm
Posted by WicKed WayZ
Louisiana Forever
Member since Sep 2011
33533 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:19 pm
NFL QB evaluation has always leaned toward favoring physical tools in the past, usually someone big, tall, big arm, etc.
That’s obviously evolved over the years with evaluators caring less about physical height and weight but more about athleticism while still favoring the big arms, just more of an emphasis on if they can run, extend plays, etc.

A lot of QB “experts” say this because it helps to dumb down the game for some of these guys to help them adjust better to the NFL. However, my question is where do guys like Garrett Nussmeier fit in? Obviously not a big guy. Above average arm. Not an athlete like Sellers but seems by far and away more advanced with the mental aspects of the game as far as making adjustments pre snap and going through progressions.

So would teams still view him as highly as someone like Sellers, Klubnik, guys who might not be as mechanically sound and aren’t close as far as the mental side of the game, but are more physically gifted? Or would they value someone like Nussmeier just as high because of how advanced he is with most aspects of being a QB outside of the physical aspects? Obviously the perfect marriage is drafting the physical tools guy that can develop the mental side of the game but it also seems like teams aren’t willing to wait as long to see those things develop?
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
466543 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

Klubnik, guys who might not be as mechanically sound and aren’t close as far as the mental side of the game, but are more physically gifted?


Is Klubnik more physically gifted than Nuss?
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
176180 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:22 pm to
quote:

Above average arm.


I'd argue nuss arm is better than just above average.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
466543 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:23 pm to
Nuss has a very good arm that has caused him to develop some very bad habits (like throwing off his back foot and trying to force balls others can't even attempt)
Posted by WicKed WayZ
Louisiana Forever
Member since Sep 2011
33533 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:23 pm to
quote:

Is Klubnik more physically gifted than Nuss?


Supposedly

He certainly seems faster. But he certainly wasn’t the best QB on Saturday
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
466543 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:24 pm to
quote:

He certainly seems faster.

I think he's a got a bit more wiggle b/c he relies on it more, but I bet they don't run that different in the 40 and in terms of top speed mph

And Nuss's arm is leagues better than Klubnik
Posted by WicKed WayZ
Louisiana Forever
Member since Sep 2011
33533 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:37 pm to
Maybe. But the only knock I’ve heard from some of the “experts” like McShay and Mike Renner is that Nuss is more of a Kirk Cousins than a Joe Burrow and that teams would value a guy with better physical tools despite how well Nuss plays the position
This post was edited on 9/2/25 at 1:38 pm
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
176180 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:42 pm to
quote:

Nuss has a very good arm that has caused him to develop some very bad habits (like throwing off his back foot and trying to force balls others can't even attempt)


Posted by longhorn22
Nicholls St. Fan
Member since Jan 2007
42889 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:43 pm to
Lots of guys will benefit for different reasons during the season and after the season
Posted by WicKed WayZ
Louisiana Forever
Member since Sep 2011
33533 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:52 pm to
Thanks for the absolute nothing burger of a post
Posted by wildtigercat93
Member since Jul 2011
115623 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 1:55 pm to
Nuss has one of the strongest arms in the country. And arm strength that NFL teams care about are on the outside the number plays and across the middle of the field moreso that deep shots, but Nuss has a hose.

Having a dual threat component is more valued today in large part due to how poor the OLine play is across the league. Just makes the margins thinner when you can’t escape the pocket and get stuck behind a rough OLine. But while he’s not a runner by any stretch, I think his pocket mobility and feel for the pocket is very strong and the main reason why Clemson didn’t get much on the stat sheet despite getting some heavy pressures at times. That’s how a guy like Burrow can excel behind his OLine despite talent deficiencies there at times


Physical traits are not really where teams are going to have questions on Nuss, mainly decision making with him.
Posted by EatnCreaux
Houston, TX
Member since Jan 2005
2472 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 2:26 pm to
Look for good decision making under pressure, accuracy on intermediate throws, and pressure to sack ratios on non-blitz plays (you don't want QBs who turn non-blitz plays into sacks) as part of the overall assessment. But these 3 (there are a few more) have a high correlation to NFL success.

Posted by bayoujd
Member since Jan 2009
3090 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 3:16 pm to
#1 Accuracy

#2 Anticipation (throwing the ball before the WR gets open)
Posted by H-Town Tiger
Member since Nov 2003
60795 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 3:19 pm to
I’m guess Chad missed the A&M game last year
Posted by Sevendust912
Member since Jun 2013
11487 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 3:23 pm to
From everything I've read Allar will be the first QB picked as he seems to be the complete package...Nussmeier, Klubinik will also be top 10
Posted by 3PieceSpicy
Metairie
Member since Jan 2021
7794 posts
Posted on 9/2/25 at 11:58 pm to
As someone that has accurately predicted successful QB's such as Dak, Burrow, Jayden and accurately predicted overhyped QB's such as T Law, A Rich, and Caleb W, while they were still college juniors, I'll let you in on some common sense ways to evaluate a QB

1) Accuracy and proper touch to all levels of the field

2) Diagnosing the defense pre and post snap and being able to make an audible without looking to the sideline or calling a timeout

3) Decision Making with the football. Are you loose with the ball or do you value the ball?

4) intangibles such as work ethic and leadership

5) Being athletic enough to extend plays

6) Did your college scheme require you to get to the 2nd read or read both sides of the field?

7) If you get put to sleep to get tattoos, you aren't on my draft board

This is all pretty elementary stuff. And NFL teams also get to interview and test these players aptitude and on the chalk board. They should never miss. But they do, bc they don't understand common sense ball.
This post was edited on 9/2/25 at 11:59 pm
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