2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

March 16, 2012 @ 02:50:43

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Keith Hernandez

Stanford Cardinal junior quarterback Andrew Luck has deemed himself ready for the big leagues, as he has announced his entrance into the 2012 NFL Draft player pool. A stellar career at Stanford wasn't capped off with a Fiesta Bowl win like Luck had hoped for, but he has set himself up to be the top overall prospect in the draft.

Luck completed more than 70 percent of his passes in the last two years, throwing for 69 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and 6,855 yards. He rushed for 957 yards and seven scores in the past three seasons.

The best of the best

Strengths

• Excellent touch on short-range passes
• Intellectual with football smarts
• Extremely athletic (4.67-second 40, 36-inch vertical jump)
• Throws a nice deep ball - looks effortless - although the offense rarely called for it
• Prototypical size (6-foot-4, 234 pounds); thick lower body, well-proportioned frame
• Amazing understanding of timing, which makes up for a lack of an elite arm
• Adjusts his release point and throws well on the move
• Natural, smooth, over-the-shoulder throwing motion
• Always looking downfield, which makes it easy for him to pick up something if the play breaks down
• Tremendous pocket awareness; routinely side-steps defenders and steps up into the pocket to avoid outside rushers
• Quick on his feet, capable of escaping the pocket and rushing for the necessary yardage (think Aaron Rodgers)
• Has made players around him better
• Goes through his progressions like a seasoned NFL veteran
• Strong leader, dedicated worker and a winner
• Impressive production and ball security
• Decision-making ability; draws comparisons to Peyton Manning for his on-field savvy and understanding of what is going on around him
• Highly accurate and comes from a pro-style offense
• NFL-ready with the benefit from great collegiate coaching
• Never afraid to take a hit; productive in the face of a collapsing pocket
• Very tough, durable

Weaknesses

• Doesn't have the quickest release - displays a slight hitch and tends to pat the ball, which can give away his intentions
• Arm strength, while adequate, isn't going to blow anyone away
• It isn't his fault there is so much hype around him, but it is tough to imagine Luck living up to all of the expectations (some prognosticators have already labeled him a Hall of Famer)

Expected draft placement

There is no question about when Luck will come off the board, especially after the owners of the No. 1 overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts, released Peyton Manning.

Luck is about as can't-miss of a prospect as you will find at the position, and his future is extremely bright in the NFL.

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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