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2014 NFL Draft: Mike Mayock would like to play safety against Blake Bortles

By Patrick Schmidt

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Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) against the Baylor Bears during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) against the Baylor Bears during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Former UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles has been mentioned as a possible No. 1 overall pick to the Houston Texans after a strong junior season that culminated with a win in the Fiesta Bowl, but NFL Media Draft Analyst Mike Mayock has serious concerns with Bortles’ tendency to stare down his receivers.

"“I would like to play safety against Bortles because he stares everything down,” Mayock said. “A lot of big-armed quarterbacks do that when they’re young, and he’s going to have to learn to transition from that.”"

Naturally, rookie quarterbacks will have to learn a lot as they transition from the college to the pro game, but a propensity to stare down receivers is going to lead to a high number of interceptions, no matter how strong his arm is.

Bortles has his pro day on Wednesday where he hopes to fare much better than Teddy Bridgewater who disappointed teams and talent evaluators in attendance on Monday, so the door is clearly open for Bortles to secure the top quarterback spot.

However, he is far from a clean prospect and has holes to work on his fame before he is considered a franchise quarterback worthy of being the first player selected in May’s NFL draft.

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