2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama

by Ed Valentine on Apr 11, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Greg McElroy. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile highlights a player whose name caught my eye when I saw recently that he was going to work out for the New York Giants. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is one of those late-round quarterback types Giants' General Manager Jerry Reese seems to make a habit of drafting and trying to develop.

I don't know if Reese would actually go that route again this year. With Sage Rosenfels and Jim Sorgi as veteran backups, and Ryan Perrilloux also on the roster, it does not seem likely. But the Giants are evidently curious enough to see how well McElroy has recovered from a broken hand to bring him in for a workout.

McElroy is not a high-ceiling guy. More likely one of those players who could make a career out of carrying a clipboard and wearing a baseball cap. Scouting reports after the jump.

Greg McElroy
QB, Alabama
6-foot-2, 220 pounds
Projection: Late rounds

Scouting Reports

From Draft Countdown:

Strengths:
- Adequate height and bulk with a sturdy frame
- Extremely smart with an amazing football IQ
- Makes good decisions / takes care of the ball
- Pretty accurate with nice touch and timing
- Is calm, cool and collected under pressure
- Tough, competitive, hard working and a leader
- Winner who has been successful at every level

Weaknesses:
- Does not have the arm strength you'd prefer
- Isn't overly athletic and mobility is lacking
- Is not a threat to make plays with his feet
- Needs to tweak mechanics / throwing motion
- Can be inconsistent with footwork at times
- Was never asked to carry a team in college
- Overall upside might be limited in the pros

Overview:
Compensates for less than stellar physical tools with elite intangibles --- More of a game manager who wasn't asked to do a lot in Alabama's conservative, run-orientated offense and is a much better college player than pro prospect --- Profiles as a backup at the next level but is the type of person you just hate to bet against.

From NFL.com:

Strengths:
McElroy has rare intangibles. Team-first player who works tirelessly at practice and in the film room to master an offense. Can scan the field and run through his progressions. Will throw receivers open. Shows good accuracy in the short to intermediate passing game. Quick release. Good pocket mobility and drop discipline.

Weaknesses:
Does not possess the physical measurables of an NFL starting quarterback. Sub-average size coupled with less-than-adequate arm strength. Will not be able to fit the ball into tight spots down the field at the next level. Deep ball floats on him. Below average speed and not a threat to pick up yards with his legs.

Overview:
McElroy could quickly emerge as a quality backup NFL quarterback but does not possess the physical attributes of a starter. Fully grasps the mental side of the game and has succeeded in multiple pressure-packed situations but simply does not have the arm strength to force and NFL defense to defend the entire field. Comfortable making NFL-type reads, accurate when hitting short to intermediate targets, and capable of moving around in the pocket. However, we don't expect him to be able to hit the deep out or zip the ball into tight coverage at the next level, so McElroy carries a late Day 3 grade.

Complete List Of Prospect Profiles

Quarterback

Pat Devlin, Delaware

Running Back

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington
Da'Rel Scott, Maryland
DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
Jordan Todman, Connecticut
Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
DeLone Carter, Syracuse
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Mikel LeShoure, Illinois

Fullback

Owen Marecic, Stanford
Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh

Wide Receiver

Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State
Titus Young, Boise State
Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh

Tight End

Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
Lee Smith, Marshall
Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
Luke Stocker, Tennessee

Offensive Line

Rodney Hudson, G/C, Florida State
Chris Hairston, T, Clemson
Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock
David Mims, T, Virginia Union
Joseph Barksdale, T, LSU
Will Rackley, T, Lehigh
DeMarcus Love, G, Arkansas
Orlando Franklin, G, Miami
John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin
Kristofer Dowd, C, USC
Clint Boling, G, Georgia
Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State
Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU
Tim Barnes, Missouri
Tyron Smith, T, USC
Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
Ben Ijalana, T, Villanova
Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin
Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
Nate Solder, T, Colorado
Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College
Derek Hall, OT, Stanford

Defensive Tackle

Terrell McClain, South Florida
Jurrell Casey, USC
Marvin Austin, North Carolina
Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
Corey Liuget, Illinois
Stephen Paea, Oregon

Defensive End

Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

Linebacker

K.J. Wright, Mississippi State
Brian Rolle, Ohio State
Colin McCarthy, Miami
Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
Martez Wilson, Illinois
Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
Dontay Moch, Nevada
Greg Jones, Michigan State
Doug Hogue, Syracuse
Bruce Carter, North Carolina
Mark Herzlich, Boston College
Akeem Ayers, UCLA
Mason Foster, Washington

Cornerback

Davon House, New Mexico State
Curtis Brown, Texas
Brandon Burton, Utah
Ras-I-Dowling, Virginia
Jimmy Smith, Colorado
Brandon Harris, Miami
Kendric Burney, North Carolina

Safety

Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
Robert Sands, West Virginia
Tyler Sash, Iowa
Rahim Moore, UCLA
Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson
Joe Lefeged, Rutgers

Placekicker

Alex Henery, Nebraska

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Comments

I wouldn't mind

using one of the 6th round picks, or an extra late rounder if they trade back in the 1st… He’s not an elite athlete… well neither is Tom Brady… he doesn’t have ideal size… well neither does Drew Brees. He’s not a threat on the hoof? Don’t we ALL cringe when Eli has to scramble (and not just because of his inability to slide)? And he’s the more athletic of the brothers.

Honestly, I’ll take elite intelligence and work ethic over elite measureables any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. You KNOW the former will do everything in his power to get the most out of his game, and the games of his teammates… The latter? well, lets ask Oakland, shall we?

At worst, I think he could be worth picking up and developing, then flipping him for a mid-high round pick in a few years.

by Raptor22 on Apr 11, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

I know I'm gonna get ripped for this but

his strengths and weaknesses sound like an often-right analysis of Eli

Details of the operations of an interstate dog fighting ring were revealed, with some portions involving drugs and gambling. Gruesome details involving abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs ... He admitted to being involved in the destruction of 6–8 dogs, by hanging or drowning...

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 11, 2011 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Eli’s arm strength is slightly above average. Eli also carried Ole Miss on his back. Other than that, that’s a fair assessment.

by handle on Apr 11, 2011 12:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

yeah, there are some differences --

with apologies to tito,

- Makes good decisions / takes care of the ball

is not often listed as one of Eli’s strengths either!

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 11, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Eli's arm strength is well beyond average.

its probably a step below elite

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 11, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Eli's arm strength

Are you serious? Above average? Eli’s got one of the best arms in the whole league. As a matter of fact, if he eased up on a few of his throws, there prob wouldn’t be so many balls going right through receiver’s hands.

The football team in my school, now they were tough! After they sacked the quarterback they went after his family.

by Handsome Stranger on Apr 12, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a guy I saw play quitre a bit.

He was a genuinely outstanding high school and college QB, one who didn’t lose a game he started for years. I have enormous respect for him as a leader and athlete. He is a guy you want in your trench in combat. However, I don’t think he has nearly enough arm to play in the NFL..

by saturday on Apr 11, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

I see a career backup but that isn't a bad thing by any stretch.

It is a good comfortable feeling knowing that you have a solid backup situation behind your starter. I see Greg McElroy as an eventual career #2 just like Jason Garrett was and that is a very good thing. Jason Garrett hardly ever got to sniff the field but he was reliable anyway and if he got in you know he would manage the game well and not lose it. He could surprise and even win one for you.

The fact is you need players such as Greg McElroy on your team, he is always ready and he will be the starters greatest asset because he is such a good coach. Greg has a hitch to his delivery, sort of like Kerry Collins had coming out of Penn St. that will need to be corrected on the NFL level. The only thing that worries me about his game isn’t the fact that he doesn’t have a cannon, its can he handle the late fall and winter winds at the New Meadowlands. If he can than I’m all for drafting him with the 199th pick in the draft.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Apr 11, 2011 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

so

anyone remember the last late round pick we drafted and f**ked with his mechanics? a guy called matt dodge? i hope we dont pick this kid up in a later round, plus we already have 3 backups on the roster, i just dont see it

"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid

by nyg94 on Apr 11, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

I prefer a smart young QB than a developmental one

Wow, its pretty rare that a rookie QB (not 1st round talent) can read defenses and go through his proggressions

by Nfpdawg on Apr 11, 2011 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

true

plus eli is only 30, so he should be fine for the next AT LEAST 5 years, and when the time comes, we need to, as you said, take a smart young QB rather than a developmental one, i mean how fast can you develop a late round pick into your future (and be successful in the short term in doing so?) probably not that quick. i mean, an early round QB at any point isnt necessarily pro ready, but the early rounder should be a hell of alot closer than the FA/late round draft pick

"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid

by nyg94 on Apr 11, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope not

not because he won’t make a good backup somewhere… he may. I would just rather them use picks (even in the later rounds) on guys who may be able to contribute when the team is headed for success. By that I mean if this guy is on the field for the Giants, the season is already well on its way down the tubes. The backups they have are probably adequate if Eli is out temporarily, but anything more than that does it really matter? Even in the later rounds there ought to be guys available at other positions that might be able to develop into solid full time players… get one of those.

by Oppenheimer919 on Apr 11, 2011 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

I mentioned on the Pat Devlin thread

that I wasn’t a fan of these kinds of picks. Well…I might make an exception for McElroy. Maybe it’s just because he’s more well-known than some of these other backup-types, but he sounds like the perfect backup/clipboard carrier in the NFL and someone who could really help in the meeting rooms. The Giants admitted that they brought in Sorgi last offseason for this very reason, because he seems to be a very smart player, even though his physical skillset leaves a lot to be desired.

Plus, you never know with some of these guys. Remember, Tom Brady was the 199th overall pick and had plenty of physical limitations coming out of Michigan. But he worked harder than anyone else and was a very smart player. By no means am I saying McElroy is the next Brady, but I wouldn’t mind at all if we spent one of those extra 6th rounders on him.

The NFL and NFLPA? They can kiss my ass, OK? They can line up and kiss my ass.

by BigBlue21 on Apr 11, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

Geez, what would be the use of this pick?

Other than if he makes it, we could can Sorgi and maybe save money?

Not strong arm, poor mobility, etc. We don’t need that. At least get someone that can wildcat, move his feet.

Too many other needs, way too many BPAs worth giving a shot.

Other than UDFA, No,Nyet, Nix.

All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
On second thought, let's not blame players or coaches, they are not responsible. The unsupportive fans are to blame.

by UnknownJintsFan on Apr 12, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

I like him

hes a winner and a character guy. I think he and Eli would be good for each other. He would push Eli without being threatening. Probably a good person for Eli to chat with on the side lines. I just see them hitting it off. since they are similar they wouldnt need to change anything for him. Hes polished and went up against the Bama d every day in practice.

I would be happy with him in the 6th

by ryanwk628 on Apr 12, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions