If we're looking for a potential future starting caliber QB to work with Chud and Turner. THIS is the dude we need to land. Hopefully not before round 4.
This is LONG with alot of film breakdown video. Posting the first part only. Hit the link for the video.
At worst we end up with a future #2. I sit him behind Weeden for 1-2 years and determine then what to do.
Pay close attention to "The Bad". These are things you Coach and we've got one of the best in the business in Turner. Many misinterpret "Staring Down Receivers". When you are running an offense that is majorly predicated on quick drops and release, you HAVE to stare down a receiver. He's the only one you're looking at. This is majorly fixable with Reps and Coaching.
http://cle.scout.com/2/1283076.htmlTHE GOOD
At 6’3” 231lbs, Zac has the build of an NFL QB with a frame that should allow him to add bulk and strength. On tape, Zac showcases tremendous touch and placement, often leading receivers perfectly on deep and intermediate passes both to the side line as well as on vertical routes. He possesses a strong arm with high and tight release. On more than one occasion during his film study I noted a pass that traveled more than 60 yards in the air, in stride to his WR. He showed an impressive ability to place the ball in spots where only his WR could make the catch. He showed what I felt was great accuracy on intermediate and deep passes but struggled more with short / timing routes.
Zac throws on the run extremely well and does so while maintaining his power and accuracy. It will be interesting to see how well he runs the 40 at his pro day because he doesn’t appear to be fast by NFL standards but does appear to have the confidence to run if and when needed. His ability to run and improvise will be seen as a plus by whichever team that drafts him.
Zac shares what I feel to be an eerily similar ability / appearance when evading pressure and extending a play like that of his Miami predecessor, Ben Roethlisberger. I see a little Brett Favre in him as well, not in terms of his arm strength, but in terms of his ability to make and extend plays. Similar to both aforementioned NFL QB’s, Zac makes plays with defensive linemen hanging on his legs, hanging on his jersey, or barreling straight down on him. He can shift his weight, his upper body, and his hips to elude the rusher and buy more time; all while keeping his eyes up field.
In 2012 it appears he played more from the shotgun but in 2011, as well as in his senior bowl practice tape, he shows the ability to play under center more than most might think -- including running an effective play action, bootleg and showing fluid 3, 5 and 7 step drops. He appeared to be able to read defenses from under center pre-snap and shows good football instincts and awareness. Zac appears to make good decisions with the football and when extending the play he is very aware his position inside/outside the tackle as it pertains to intentional grounding and gets rids of it when he can. He innately looks for the first down marker on scrambles and protects the ball.
THE BAD
If you watch the tape, many of his throws appear to be first reads or reads where he only looks at one half of the field. He will need to have sold NFL scouts on his ability to read zone defenses and go through his progressions. He didn’t show the ability to consistently shift the defense by looking off the play / or pump faking to move the safeties. It appears he stares down receivers from time to time as well. He has a tendency to sail the ball on short routes and can deliver the ball late and/or off target on some timing routes.
Zac tends to evacuate the pocket prematurely in favor of the run or to extend the play and while it’s hard to blame him given his offensive line at Miami, he won’t be able to do that in the NFL. While he has mobility and is great on the bootleg, he will need to build confidence in the pocket and strengthen his throwing technique and pocket movement: consistently stepping up, moving his feet and finding the play with his arm from the pocket.
Zac often took the ball from shotgun and took a single step drop, or simply pivoted, planted and threw. He will need to show that he can consistently take the ball from under center, drop from shotgun and step up in the pocket at the next level.
SUMMARY
While some may point to the talent gap and question the fact Zac’s production “only” came because played for Miami and was pitted against lesser talent, others may point to the growing list of NFL players that hail from the MAC and the fact that talent can come from anywhere. Nonetheless, Zac Dysert is an intriguing NFL prospect who has flown under the radar. He brings a strong skill set into the draft and has the production that NFL scouts will want to see. He’s big, mobile, and has a strong arm with the accuracy to drive the ball into any window at the next level if provided a pocket to throw from. I believe he becomes even more effective on bootleg plays where I feel he can throw on the run better than anybody in this year’s draft.
A GM will have to believe that Zac can consistently develop the ability to make multiple reads and progressions at the NFL level / speed and that he can quickly absorb; adapt; and implement new coaching. He will need to work on and improve his timing routes which should get better with practice and building rapport with his receivers.
While Zac does bring great football instincts and an ability to extend the play while under duress, he will have to prove that he can consistently stick in the pocket, adjust to the pocket and make plays with his arm.