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Top 10 NFL Draft quarterback prospects

By Rucker Haringey

Nov 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws the ball against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. The Temple Owls won 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws the ball against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. The Temple Owls won 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

5. Cardale Jones – Ohio State

This Buckeye prospect is the ultimate boom or bust pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has as much physical ability as any quarterback coming out, but he has struggled mightily at times during his career. He definitely has an immature streak that’s going to need to be carefully managed, as well.

Still, in the NFL you always bet on talent, and Jones has a ton of that. He’s a big, physical player who has a lot of arm strength, meaning that he really has the ability to make all the NFL throws with zip down the field.

The immaturity during his college days has to be a concern, but this is a league where Jameis Winston seemed to do quite well as a rookie. Certainly Jones shortcomings were more fairly labeled as youthful stupidity as opposed to the malcontent characterizations Winston faced in the lead up to last year’s draft. Immaturity a red flag, but not one that would take him off my draft board.

Whoever selects Jones has to do so with the idea that he’s nowhere near ready to be an NFL player next year. He has to be coached up significantly and that’s going to take at least two years on the bench. If patient, a team might get a really good starter. If not, you might as well pass on him and select someone else.

Five years from now it wouldn’t surprise me if Jones was playing in the Pro Bowl or the Arena League. He’s a wildcard in the truest sense. There’s very little in-between for the talented signal caller.

Next: Connor Cook

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