re: The Official MSB NFL Draft 2014 | Rd. 3 pick 30 (94) [fightingtigers98 on clock]

With the 52nd pick of the 2014 MSB/FSB draft, the Arizona Cardinals select...




























Don't know who that is?


















Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback out of Eastern Illinois

It seems as though all the teams in the NFC west are drafting out of pure luxury right now. Each team in the division now has a young and promising QB: The Seahawks have Russell Wilson, 49ers with Collin Kaepernick, Rams have Sam Bradford and Zach Mettenberger, and now the Cardinals have Garoppolo.

The Cardinals defense is loaded with talent, with names in their secondary such as PP7, Honey Badger, and a young Calvin Pryor who they drafted in the first round. They also signed Antonio Cromartie in the offseason. They have a solid linebacker corp as well. Perhaps in future rounds they will load up their defensive line.

A running back and a wide receiver was considered here, but this years class is so deep that it can probably wait until the next round. Instead of drafting a player at one of those positions, the Cardinals draft a QB that they believe they can groom into their franchise QB. It is no secret that Palmer is old and has struggled at times, and they really haven't had any reliable alternative besides him. With this pick, they potentially get that security.

And "potential" is what it comes down to with Garoppolo. He is young and by most accounts still a project, but some believe that he has the talent to become a star in this league. One scout recently compared Garoppolo's release to that of Dan Marino.

Other reviews of Garoppolo include:

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ESPN's Mel Kiper believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo has the most upside of any prospect at the position.
"The reason I say upside is because if he would have put him in a major college program, where would he rank? Probably top five or top 10," Kiper said, adding Garoppolo has a super quick release. Rotoworld's Josh Norris also lists Garoppolo as his fifth quarterback, but questions his feet in the pocket and specifically under pressure. Kiper believes Garoppolo could go a bit later than he should due to playing in the FCS.

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NFL Network's Charley Casserly believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo is the best prospect at the position on tape.
"Now level of competition is way below everybody else," Casserly began. "Very good vision. Best release in the draft. Can move in the pocket. Arm seems to be good enough. Totally raw, got to start from scratch on him." The main issue with Garoppolo is frenetic movement, and that is only escalated when pressured. Buzz seems to point to Garoppolo being selected in the second-round.

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