2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

by Cory J. Bonini on April 17, 2013 @ 17:16:32 PDT

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Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib enters the 2013 NFL Draft with a handy ally to have on his side: Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone, Nassib's collegiate mentor.

Has a friend in a high place

A three-year starter, Nassib has completed precisely 62.4 percent of his throws the last two years and has tossed 48 scoring strikes in that time. His career best for yardage came in 2012, as Nassib compiled 3,749 aerial yards.

Strengths

Experienced three-year starter
Above-average arm strength - adequate for all of the NFL throws that will be asked of him
Sound mechanics
Showed the progress as a senior that scouts were looking for
Not a running QB but isn't Drew Bledsoe, either - quality passer on the move
Intelligent player with the understanding of defensive coverages - generally goes throw his progressions
Displays the ability to look off the safety
Strong play-action passer

Weaknesses

Tends to force too many passes
Struggles to maintain poise under pressure - leads to sloppy footwork and turnovers
Needs to involve more of a touch throw in his passing arsenal
Just OK size (6-foot-2, 223 pounds)
Slower maturation over three years than one would like to see

Expected draft placement

Nassib has a strong chance of sliding into the late first round with an impressive draft season of workouts. He deserves a second-round grade, however.

The Bills will be the wildcard for Nassib's early-round draft placement. Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson hardly instill confidence in an organization, so it seems like a natural fit for Nassib to wind up in Buffalo.

Other teams that could be interested include: Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Houston Texans.

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. 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 @CoryKFFL