When it comes to scouting quarterbacks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And that holds true with the 2016 NFL Draft class as North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff are both competing to be the first quarterback drafted, presumably to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 2 overall pick.
Some teams prefer Wentz and others lean toward Goff. There are teams split within their building on which quarterback is best.
Wentz is set to take the field on Thursday at North Dakota State’s pro day for one final argument why he should be the first quarterback off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 28. Coming from the FCS-level, he has passed each step of the draft process to this point, separating himself as the top passer at the Senior Bowl and also impressing at the NFL Combine.
“I’m a very confident player and I know what I’m capable of,” Wentz said at the Combine.
Goff and Wentz, who are working out together in Irvine, Calif., have both trained with quarterback Ryan Lindley, who last played with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. Lindley helped map out Goff’s pro day script last week in Berkley and he is expected to do the same for Wentz’s workout.
There isn’t much that Wentz can show at his pro day that teams haven’t already seen through game film study, but it is a platform for him to show off his physical skill set — one area in which he has an edge over Goff.
Although he isn’t as battle-tested, Wentz is bigger, more athletic and has a stronger arm than the Cal passer.
At 6-5, 232 pounds, Wentz certainly looks the part and his mobility along with his arm talent are extremely appealing to NFL scouts and coaches. But a team will have to look past the decal on the helmet and the fact that all of his experience has come against FCS competition.
Operating in an under-center offense at North Dakota State, Wentz is used to making reads in his drops, but his lower-body technique is a critical area that he has focused on this offseason. Scouts hope to see continued improvement Thursday.
“I think just consistency with my footwork has gotten a lot better from junior to senior year and now even from the Jan. 9 game in Frisco to where I’m at today,” Wentz said. “I think that’s just continued to get refined more and more and it’s something I’ll continue to keep working on going forward.”
Cleveland Browns first-year head coach Hue Jackson will be one of several notable NFL decision-makers in Fargo on Thursday to see Wentz rip it. Jackson has already stated that the Browns plan to draft a quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft with many assuming that is the direction they will go with the second overall pick. For a franchise who greatly needs a winner at quarterback, Wentz certainly checks that box.
“For me coming out of North Dakota State, I think the track record speaks for itself as a winner,” Wentz said. “So when I think of a franchise quarterback not only do I think of the physical ability, but I think of being a winner, winning ballgames, taking command and being a leader.”
On paper, Wentz looks like a franchise quarterback.
And at North Dakota State’s pro day on Thursday, he will have another opportunity to prove that he is a franchise passer on the field.