2014 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks Have Much to Gain at Combine

Nov 23, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles with the ball against the LSU Tigers during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With no clear cut top quarterback in the 2014 NFL draft, one would think the top prospects would take every opportunity to separate themselves. The NFL Combine is one of those opportunities, but some players are already opting out of some of the drills. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Derek Carr out of Fresno State have both decided to wait until their pro days to throw, and they likely won’t be the only quarterbacks bowing out of some of the drills.

I don’t really get the reasoning behind either decision, especially when there are so many varying opinions about each quarterback. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports agrees, and he has all of the quarterbacks listed in his players who have the most to gain/lose at the combine.

"1. All 19 QuarterbacksFrom Teddy Bridgewater’s hand size to Derek Carr’s accuracy during passing drills, every quarterback invited to the Combine has a lot to gain or lose this week. Manziel won’t throw, but his interviews are paramount, whether the questions are football-related or not. Central Florida’s Blake Bortles will compete in every exercise and needs to show accurate ball placement during passing drills. On the training table, LSU’s Zach Mettenberger and Georgia’s Aaron Murray are both in the midst of rigorous rehabs, battling back from ACL injuries – how close are they to returning to the field? And then of course, the exact height-weight measurements for the underclassmen: Will Manziel get above six-foot? Will Bridgewater come in over 210-pounds? Just how tall is Bortles? Above all, the Combine is an opportunity for quarterbacks to perform on the big stage – who will separate himself?"

There are a lot of questions each prospects has to answer, but to forego an opportunity to show some passing skill in an equal environment doesn’t make a lot of sense. Some of the quarterbacks are going to leave the combine looking better than others; thankfully, we’ll know who by next week.

-Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89