2019 NFL Draft: Scouting Ohio State quarterback, Dwayne Haskins

One prospect who has had a pre-draft visit with the Broncos(and wore a custom John Elway jersey to that meeting) is former Ohio State quarterback, Dwayne Haskins. He’s a 6’3”, 231lb quarterback who is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in this years draft class. Haskins is ranked as NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s 21st overall prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft draft and ranked as his second-best quarterback in the draft.

Haskins is a pure pocket passer with outstanding arm strength, poise and production. He lacks ideal foot quicks in his setup, but he throws from a firm platform. He has a tight, compact stroke, and the ball jumps out of his hand. He can drive the football into tight widows and displays excellent loft and touch on the deep ball. Haskins will get a little aggressive at times, but his overall decision-making has been solid. His biggest issues arise when he’s forced to move off his spot because he lacks the suddenness to create and get out of trouble. He’s accurate on designed roll-outs to the right, but his accuracy is spotty on the opposite side. He’s used sparingly on designed QB runs, but I love his competitiveness and toughness as a ball carrier (see: Maryland game, when he logged three rushing scores). Overall, Haskins has the necessary tools to win games from the pocket, but his success will depend greatly on his protection.

Haskins played a total of two-seasons at Ohio State but is coming off a breakout season for the Buckeyes. During his two-year career at Ohio State, he totaled 5,396 yards passing, 54 touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions. He also completed 70% of his passes during his time at Ohio State. This past year, Haskins totaled 4,831 yards passing, 50 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He also completed 70% of his passes this past season.

Honors and awards that Haskins has collected during his time at Ohio State via ohiostatebuckeyes.com.

• Heisman Trophy finalist
• Chicago Tribune Silver Football award
• Big Ten Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year
• Big Ten Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year
• Third-team Associated Press All-American
• Academic All-Big Ten Conference
• Academic All-Big Ten, OSU Scholar-Athlete (2017)
• OSU Scholar-Athlete (2016)

Dwayne Haskins

Quarterback | r-Junior | Ohio State

Height: 6’3” | Weight: 231lbs | 40-time: 5.04 seconds

Arm Length: 33 1/2” | Hands: 9 5/8”

Vertical Jump: 28.5 inches

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Has ideal size and build you look for in a quarterback
• Good arm strength and can make any throw asked of him
• Shows good ball placement
• Quick release and no issues with his throwing motion
• Accurate and completed 70% of his passes while at Ohio State
• Productive passer and threw for 50 touchdown passes last season
• Shows good anticipation with his passes
• Knows when to put touch on the ball
• Excelled at intermediate passes
• Moves well inside the pocket
• Showed toughness by staying in the pocket and taking some hits after throwing the ball
• Most believe he is the top quarterback in the draft
• Improved throughout the 2018 season

Weaknesses:

• One year starter(History says odds are against him here)
• Struggles against pressure
• Not very experienced
• Not very mobile and is your typical pocket passer
• Displays heavy feet when on the move
• Mechanics and footwork need some developing
• Might not be the best scheme fit for the Broncos

Quotable:

The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler on Ohio State quarterback, Dwayne Haskins.

“A one-year starter at Ohio State, Haskins was a questionable fit in the Buckeyes’ shotgun, option-heavy offense, but that didn’t slow his production. During his prolific 2018 season, he broke 28 school records and set seven Big Ten records, including single-season passing yards (4,831), touchdown passes (50) and total offensive yards (4,939). Haskins makes playing quarterback look easy because he is so naturally gifted, but his inexperience also shows. While he showed improvements climbing the pocket, maneuvering vs. pressure isn’t yet a strength to his game with inconsistent results throwing off-script. He has a plus arm to gripand-rip, but he tends to telegraph throws, believing too much in his arm to compensate. His placement and touch have room for improvement, but his passing accuracy is a strength (off-target throws usually tied to messy footwork). Overall, Haskins’ pocket rhythm and lower body mechanics are the biggest concerns for his next level transition, but he showed promising improvement and his special arm has the potential to carve up pro defenses, projecting as an NFL starter with Pro Bowl upside.”

Does quarterback Dwayne Haskins make sense for the Broncos in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft?

This is tough for me.

Haskins is clearly talented and should be the top quarterback in this draft class, but I just do not see him being a fit in the Broncos offense. We know the Broncos are going to have a vertical passing attack that will lean on the quarterback to make chunk passes off play action. It will also require the quarterback to throw while on the move. I know Haskins can probably do all this, but you’re not playing him at his strengths by doing this. This scheme I and others believe the Broncos will run fits Missouri’s Drew Lock much better.

Now they could always adjust their offense to fit Haskins strengths, but from all we know currently, Lock is the better schematic fit.

Haskins stock is “dropping” but that is more the NFL media and draftnik’s overrating Haskins from the beginning and are now learning the NFL Isn’t as high on him. It looks like he could be on the board when the Broncos pick at 10th overall and it will be interesting to see what they do, especially if both Lock and Haskins are on the board.

Ultimately, I would get behind Haskins as the 10th overall pick and I think he has the best odds of succeeding in the NFL compared to Murray and Lock. I am not sure his ceiling is nearly as high compared to those two, but his floor is higher than both.

In the end, I don’t see General Manager John Elway selecting Dwayne Haskins at 10th overall, even though they probably should.