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NFL Draft results 2015: Green Bay Packers take Brett Hundley in fifth round

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Hundley dropped all the way to the fifth round in the 2015 NFL Draft before the Green Bay Packers drafted him to try to win a backup job behind Aaron Rodgers.

The Green Bay Packers definitely don’t have a need at quarterback with two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in the middle of a Hall of Fame career, but that didn’t stop the team from drafting UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.

Hundley viewed by some as the third best quarterback in this year’s draft but saw Jameis Winson, Marcus Mariota, Garrett Grayson, Sean Mannion and Bryce Petty taken before him and his wait was much longer than he could have anticipated.

He went 29-11 at UCLA as the starter, which are the second most wins in program history, was 3-0 against rival USC, had 11,713 total yards of offense and 106 total touchdowns to set new school records and his 67.4 completion percentage is the second highest in Pac-12 history.

Hundley is mobile, athletic and has a lot of tools, but has a lot of things he needs to improve to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL. In particular, he has to improve with his anticipation and make his throws before the receiver gets open vs. waiting until the receiver is open to throw. His eyes and awareness need improving because of his propensity to tuck and run when the play breaks down, he won’t be able to get away with good athleticism in the NFL like he did at UCLA.

Working behind Rodgers at Green Bay, one of the best technicians at the position, will be a great benefit for Hundley who won’t be pressed into early playing time and he’ll be given the time to improve his precision as a passer and could be a player the Packers are able to move for a draft pick in the next couple of years.

The Packers have done this in the past where they were annually home to some of the best reserve quarterbacks during Mike Holmgren’s tenure when he had guys like Mark Brunell, Ty Detmer and Aaron Brooks.

I don’t know if Hundley would have been better served by returning to UCLA for his fifth year after getting his degree and I’m not alone in that opinion.

In fact, he may have stayed in school too long.

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