Welcome back to another week of the Fansided Mock Draft here on Buffalowdown, and happy Super Bowl week! This week the Bills went with a quarterback we haven’t really talked much about in the past few months, but used to be a big name when it comes to this year’s draft.
November 17, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) sets to pass in the first half of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
With the eighth pick in this week’s mock draft the Bills selected former USC quarterback Matt Barkley. Barkley’s name has seem to fallen out of favor for most, a surprise for a player that was a consensus number one pick at one point. However, Barkley has shown an ability to win in college. Will it translate to the NFL? Here’s what the Fansided guys had to say about the pick.
"I have been hesitant to place Matt Barkley in the first-round, but after the lackluster performances from the quarterbacks in Mobile, Alabama, Barkley’s stock appears to be back on the rise. Barkley is a very poised and experienced quarterback that could be just what Buddy Nix needs to lead his franchise."
Barkley isn’t perfect, but none of the quarterbacks are. If he was he’d still be in the first overall position. However there are a few things that worry me about him.
I don’t think that scouts should be worried about his slight lack of size. Instead they should look at the type of offense he was running. Sure, it was a pro system. But USC runs on offense full of screens, something I doubt Bills fans want to see their offense centered around. According to some he lacks that great arm strength that NFL teams look for.
Barkley is also coming off an elbow injury that caused him to miss the last game of the regular season, the Sun Bowl, and the Senior Bowl. However, the injury ins’t too severe and shouldn’t scare any teams off.
Only a few months ago fans were clamoring for the shot of taking Matt Barkley, but it appears he has fallen from grace. He’s a player that hasn’t even been in the first round for some, but does play at an incredible position of need and has shown an ability to win at a high level in college football.
Keep in mind that Geno Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mike Glennon (Arizona Cardinals) had already been taken off the board in this mock draft. Is Barkley the best available in your eyes?
I guess we have a new quarterback to discuss! As always, we’d love to hear what you think! Comment below, its quick and easy and allows others to see exactly what you’re thinking.