DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2016 NFL Season 2016 NFL Draft Third Round Pick - QB Cody Kessler

There's the QB.

Pro style QB. Will be able to pick up the playbook day one. Not physically talented. Can be a good backup for years.

I believe Kessler had five offensive coordinators in his five years at USC. I know he had at least three (Kiffin, Sark, Helton), I think there are two I'm missing.

horrible pick

First bad pick.

I'm not a big fan of this pick .... but I guess this is who Hue Jackson wanted.

We traded down for this waste of a pick? Come on.

Man, CBS has him rated as a 7th/FA.

After sharing the starting role with Max Wittek for the first two games of the 2013 season, Kessler went on to emerge as Southern Cal's replacement for Matt Barkley as a junior, ultimately passing for 2,968 yards and a solid 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
Those numbers jumped significantly under new coach Steve Sarkisian in 2014 (3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns against just five interceptions) and Kessler entered 2015 as a Heisman frontrunner. Injuries to his offensive line (especially at center) and a midseason firing of Sarkisian threatened to ruin the Trojans season and did impact Kessler's production, with his completion percentage (65.4%), passing yards (2,968) and touchdowns thrown (20) all slipping from his eye-popping junior season.

Lacking the size and arm strength scouts would prefer, Kessler's isn't the top-notch talent his career production (including a 88-19 touchdown to interception ratio) would seem to indicate. Physically, he failed to stand out amid a mediocre crop of quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, likely cementing his place as a Day Three candidate.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS: Put up big numbers in coach Steve Sarkisian's pro-style offense, which calls for a variety of downfield throws, including NFL staples like quick slants, deep posts and outs and wheel routes. His comfort with the system and patience are clear as he often checks second and third reads before passing. Has a quick set-up and release of the football and shows great anticipation, firing passes before receivers break into their routes, along with good pocket awareness. Kessler is pretty effective at creating space in the pocket, exhibiting light feet and spatial awareness while keeping his eyes downfield. Kessler also shows impressive accuracy on the move, making him dangerous even as the pocket breaks down and on the designed roll-outs in Sarkisian's pro-style scheme. When he is forced to run, Kessler shows his competitiveness, surprising defenders with sneaky athleticism and leg drive. Beloved in the program for his intangibles, including leadership and commitment to the team. Characterized as the first person in the door by teammates. Voted a team captain.
WEAKNESSES: Simply lacks ideal size and arm strength to fit in most NFL offenses. Challenged by Sarkisian at times to be more aggressive and give his tight ends and receivers opportunities to make plays downfield. Struggles to push the ball downfield on throws longer than 15 yards, too often sailing passes over the head of his intended receivers when he overcompensates. Many of his passes are underneath routes or dump-offs to running backs, and lacks the same zip throwing to the outside unless he can fully step into the pass. Despite significant starting experience, appeared rattled at times when his protection broke down.

IN OUR VIEW: Like Matt Barkley before him, Kessler is a draftable - but not exciting - NFL prospect because of some physical limitations and the fact that the talent around him and scheme in which he's enjoyed such great success have inflated his production. He possesses the intangibles to project as a quality backup but he'd likely struggle in a starting role with NFL defenses crowding close and forcing him to beat them over the top.

3rd in the nation in accuracy. I tried telling y'all Connor cook is not good.

Not awful, not great. I don't expect much from him.

what a terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE selection

he'd be available in the 6th round I bet ... this pick really angers me. HE SUCKS

A possible game manager in sort relief ... seems like there where better prospects on the board.

I just said that in the other thread.

Mike Silver reporting


Hue Jackson happiness level right now: Turnt up

This pick irritates me. Why did we trade down for a backup qb? They are a dime a dozen. We have plenty of backup qbs.

cook is a backup at best.

He hasnt heard the complaining yet.

Most QBs selected at this spot are backups at best. Might as well get the guy the head coach likes.

Ya we'll be revisiting the asshattery in the cook thread when I'm more sober.

I'd keep Connor Shaw over this guy.

Kessler is miles better than Shaw. Miles.

(Kessler is not that good. Shaw is really bad.)

Great jacoby brissett will learn under brady and be the next franchise qb. 2 picks before ours. Just watch

This. Shaw is bad, not sure why people love him so much.

Because all the other Patriot backup QBs have turned out to be great. . .

I'll do a full Kessler breakdown sometime this weekend. I haven't reviewed his film.

Funny thing, the NFL Network Profile says his ability to hit receivers with catchable throws falls off the table when forced to scramble but your quote says he's got good accuracy when on the run.

Wonder what these guys are looking at that the come to two different conclusions like that?

At least he is a QB from a Pro style offense.

Show me, Hue. Show me. Not in love. Going to need to see him not be Colt 2.0

Austin Davis or Connor Shaw just lost their job.

I really think our FO is targeting guys who "look like" other well established NFL stars.

I saw Kessler play live in the 2014 Holiday Bowl and it seemed like he had complete control of that game. This feels like Hue's pick to me.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400610220

Comparisons I draw initially are...

Brian Hoyer
(Young unpolished) Tom Brady and
Kelly Holcomb

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cody-kessler-1.html

Numbers are pretty staggering.

Cody could end up being a real gem as a back up. He is very accurate in passes under 25 yards. I mean like extremely accurate. Anything beyond that though and it gets bad real fast. Still he can do great in a WCO system where you stretch it wide versus vertical.

That being said we could have easily got in in the 4th or 5th round so to me it's a wasted pick.

Well, we know he's not meant to start this year. That job will most likely go to Griffin III, so he can sit and watch, perhaps get some pro level training for his arm in order to get a few more yards on his throws.

I'm intrigued by this kid...

I talked to a friend who is a huge USC fan

Says Kessler is the complete deal with everything but elite arm strength.

Says he is a smart QB who doesn't get rattled. Told me he has been through 5 head coaching changes and doesn't get rattled

When your number one pick is a speedster WR, can this pick get it down field for Coleman to run under it ?

I think I would have preferred Cardale Jones who can toss it long to the speedster...

Cardale is junk.

Wasted pick or more of a luxury pick when this team can't afford luxury picks we need players that are going to play not be 3rd or 4th string QBs... Did anyone else see the Browns draft room on NFL network right before the draft? There was 4 people in there and they even said on NFL network the Browns draft room looks like everyone already went home and their pick showed it... Good/great draft so far but this one has me scratching my head.

It's not a wasted pick and here's why...

We have the next TWO picks. Conner Cook is still on the board.

We are going to spend the next day shopping one of those two picks to the highest bidder for Conner Cook. I would be surprised if there is no trade.

We find ourselves in a position with a lot of leverage once again.