NFL Draft Rumors: AJ McCarron’s tattoos, big mouth impacting draft stock?

The draft stock of former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron is as wide as perhaps any other draft prospect in this year’s draft as McCarron insists he’s heard he will be taken in the first round, perhaps as high as No. 16 to the Dallas Cowboys, but this could be more of wishful thinking from the decorated college quarterback.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen says there is one team that views him as a “potential first or second-round pick” but the majority of NFL teams don’t view McCarron in the same light as McCarron views himself, which could ultimately hurt him in the draft according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio who writes his confidence is turning into delusion and dishonesty.

However, that may not even be the biggest concern in the minds of teams considering drafting McCarron as Florio thinks McCarron’s extensive tattoo’s will hurt his draft status.

"“Then there’s the issue of McCarron’s tattoos.  To be entirely clear on this point, we believe tattoos bear no relevance at all to a player’s abilities.  Still, we’re told that some scouts are put off by the extensive presence of tattoos on quarterbacks.  While concealed on game day, McCarron has an extensive collection of ink.The tattoo issue was raised (and loudly shot down) in 2012 regarding 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.  The year before, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made waves by explaining on Charlie Rose’s show that Richardson told quarterback Cam Newton to keep his body tattoo and piercings free.”"

As Florio makes clear, he doesn’t think tattoos bear any relevance to a player’s ability, and why would a chest tattoo impact a quarterback’s ability to throw the deep out? But he thinks it will enter the equation when evaluating a player for some archaic reason.

McCarron may be a taken in the first, he may be picked on Day 2, but when and where he’s drafted will be based on his football ability and acumen, not because of a massive chest tattoo.