Factoid
I was watching the Gruden Quarterback Camp deal on Robert Griffin III there other night. During that show, he said he felt he was a No. 1 overall pick, even if Andrew Luck goes No. 1 – that there are really two No. 1 picks in this year’s draft.
I thought that was kind of cute.
And as I look into Griffin more, I’m buying into that theory. Luck is great; he’s a lot more valuable – much more coveted – than the vast majority of No. 1 picks. If you look at the last 30 years, he’s probably one of the top 4 No. 1 overall picks. Maybe you put John Elway, Peyton Manning and maybe a couple other guys ahead of him.
But I don’t think Griffin is far behind. He’s a great runner. But setting that aside, he’s also been remarkably good with his arm. In most of the passing categories, in fact, Griffin’s production in college grades out higher than the vast majority of other quarterbacks that have been selected in the first round.
In the last 20 years, there have been about 52 quarterbacks selected in the first round (I can’t remember if I’m counting Griffin, Luck and Ryan Tannehill in that total – but about 52). Of that group, Griffin has the highest passer rating.
I’m not sure how the colleges calculate passer rating and where it’s different. So I’m not positive Griffin is No. 1 in that system. But using the NFL passer rating system, Griffin comes out at No. 1. He would be a No. 1 pick in most drafts, and Washington should be excited to get him.
QBs WITH 100-PLUS PASSER RATINGS
Quarterbacks selected in the first round in the last 20 years with passer ratings over 100 (in their final college season).
Rating Year
130.1 2012 Robert Griffin III
125.5 2005 Alex Smith
124.9 2011 Cam Newton
118.3 2004 Philip Rivers
118.1 2012 Andrew Luck
117.7 1999 Daunte Culpepper
116.9 2002 David Carr
115.7 2005 Jason Campbell
115.4 1995 Kerry Collins
115.3 1999 Akili Smith
114.6 1994 Trent Dilfer
114.5 2000 Chad Pennington
114.3 2007 JaMarcus Russell
113.9 2004 Ben Roethlisberger
113.0 2009 Mark Sanchez
112.7 2010 Tim Tebow
110.5 1999 Donovan McNabb
109.2 2006 Vince Young
107.8 1994 Heath Shuler
107.6 2006 Matt Leinart
107.4 1998 Ryan Leaf
106.4 2003 Byron Leftwich
105.8 2005 Aaron Rodgers
105.0 1999 Tim Couch
104.4 2007 Brady Quinn
104.3 1990 Andre Ware
102.4 1995 Steve McNair
102.3 2003 Carson Palmer
101.8 1999 Cade McNown
101.7 2009 Matthew Stafford
101.1 1998 Peyton Manning
100.5 2004 Eli Manning
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