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In all likelihood, the New York Giants won't be looking at the quarterback position in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, the more quarterbacks selected high, the better for them. The quarterback making the biggest, and most surprising, charge up draft boards is Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo.
Most fans will (rightly) say "Who?"
Well, let's answer that question.
Pros
- Compact, lightening quick throwing motion
- Makes reads very quickly
- Accurate
- Versatile passer, able to throw with touch, zip, and isn't afraid to take shots down field
- Excellent size and build (6-foot-3, 225 pounds)
- Capable athlete, though not a running quarterback.
Cons
- Comes from a lower level of college football. Might have trouble adjusting to NFL defenses and playbook
- Smallish hands (9 inches)
Does He Fit With The Giants?
Does he fit with the Giants? Nope. Barring a trade, Giants are set at QB with Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib. Garoppolo's real value to the Giants is to be taken high and push prospects they ARE interested in down to them.
Prospect Video
Jimmy Garoppolo vs Tennessee State (2013) (via Aaron Aloysius)
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - 44
Mocking The Draft - 93
CBS Sports - 59
Draft Tek - 195
Final Thoughts
Nobody quite knows what to make of Garoppolo. Between a lack of easily found tape, and playing at the FCS level, he is an enigma. He has the size, athleticism, quick release, and accuracy that the NFL covets. However, there are justified questions about whether or not Garoppolo could make the jump up from the FCS level to the NFL level.
General managers say that they like to see FCS players dominate their level of competition, and he has certainly done that. His senior season (13 games) Jimmy Garoppolo put up 5,050 yards, with 53 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. Projected out over an NFL season, that works out to 6,215 yards, 65 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
Granted, he is playing a decidedly lower level of competition compared to what quarterbacks like Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel faced. But, by the same token, Garoppolo wasn't surrounded by NFL-level or even BCS-level talent (all due respect to Eastern Illinois and their competition).
He has done everything he can over the course of the draft process to answer those questions; He stole the show in the East-West Shrine Game, earned a spot on the Senior Bowl roster and played well, threw at the NFL scouting combine, and is working at Northwestern's Pro Day.