Our work is never finished here at Mocking the Draft as we are already looking to 2012. The summer will feature a lot of prospect evaluations that we will build upon during the season.
Matt Barkley 2012 NFL Draft prospect notes
Matt Barkley
6'2, 220 pounds | Quarterback | USC
First word: Barkley is one of several quarterbacks sure to get a lot of attention leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft. He has the physical tools to create a ton of draft buzz. Barkley has gained valuable experience at USC and is entering his 3rd year as the full time starter. We all know the NFL is about quarterback play so Barkley can expect a ton of eyes on him this season.
There is a lot to like about Barkley as he possesses the physical tools to be a legitimate prospect. He has above average arm strength coupled with good accuracy. His ability to properly place the football both helps avoid turnovers and gives his targets to opportunity to gain yards after the catch. Barkley is calm in the pocket and does a nice job diagnosis post snap information. He can go through his progressions and find the open target.
While Barkley has the skills, there are several areas of his game that need improvement. The biggest issue surrounds his technique and mechanics. The issues start as soon as he gets the ball from center as he holds the ball very low around his waste. This results in a wasted motion and adds precious time to his release. As he scans the field, Barkley has a wide stance and hops which impacts his balance and ability to drive the football. He also has a tendency to throw off his back-foot impacting the zip on the ball. Barkley needs to be more consistent when it comes to squaring his body towards his target. His feet are often lined towards the sideline hindering his ability to deliver an accurate football.
Overall, Barkley needs to tighten up his mechanics which will help his consistency. The physical tools, experience, and personality are all there for Barkley to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.
Bold statement: Matt Barkley will not enter the 2012 NFL Draft
Games viewed: Washington (‘10), Stanford (‘10), UCLA (‘10)
Matt Barkley
6’2, 220 pounds | Quarterback | USC
Notes:
- Barkley has very good touch on the ball and can drop it in over the defender
- He is able to deliver a nice catchable bucket pass
- His arm strength is slightly above average as he delivers the ball w/ good zip
- Working the short yardage game is not an issue as he delivers a nice ball on quick slants
- Entering his 3 year as the starter, Barkley has gained a lot of big game experience
- This experience allows him to remain poised and calm in the pocket
- He has also developed a nice savvy to his game knowing how to use pump fakes
- Barkley is a decent athlete with fluid motions
- Despite a long throwing motion, Barkley can get the ball out of his hands quickly
- He has good ball placement and above average accuracy
- Barkley is able to go across the field while searching for an open target
- He appears to get sloppy and lazy with his mechanics
- The ball is consistently below his breast plate adding wasted movements to his throwing motion
- He has a hitch in his delivery that extends his throwing motion
- Barkley drops the ball and his shoulder prior to his release resulting in a big long windup He constantly throws off his back foot and fails to step into his throws
- This results in less zip on the football and allows the defender to break on the ball
- While he is very accurate, he struggles to set his feet and body towards his target
- He routinely releases the ball with his feet pointed towards the sideline rather than towards his target
- Barkley’s stance is too wide and accompanied by hops both of which impact his balance
- When faced with pressure, Barkley makes poor decisions by forcing the football, fading away from the line as he throws, and prematurely evacuating the pocket
- There are times when he holds the football to long raising questions about his anticipation
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