New York Jets 2017 NFL Draft Profile: Nathan Peterman, Quarterback
Could the answer to the New York Jets problems at quarterback be available in a young man from the University of Pittsburgh?
The New York Jets have been trying to answer the quarterback question for far too many years now. Jets fans are some of the most loyal in the entire league. How could they not be? After all the heartache, the team would have no fans left if they weren't loyal. Frankly, we deserve better. The Jets need to find that franchise quarterback that nearly every other franchise has found.
But where? Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are back, but nobody in the organization is convinced that either of them are ready to take over. That is why Josh McCown was signed. But are the Jets finished? Here is what general manager Mike Maccagnan had to say (per Rich Cimini of ESPN):
"The next place we'd potentially add a quarterback would most likely be, or potentially be, the draft," Maccagnan said Friday in a conference call with reporters.
That is an interesting thought. According to Cimini, they have worked out DeShone Kizer and plan to do the same with Mitchell Trubisky. I have written previously on NFL Spin Zone that taking one of these big names at the top of the draft would be a mistake. It would show ownership that the last two drafts at the position have been a mistake.
But what if they look later on? According to Kristian Dyer of the Metro, the team has met with Nathan Peterman, following his Pro Day at Pittsburgh. With that, we take a look at this young player and see what he might have to offer.
First his stats, (per Sports Reference):
| Passing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | TD | Int | Rate |
| 2013 | Tennessee | SEC | FR | QB | 3 | 10 | 23 | 43.5 | 45 | 2.0 | -2.0 | 0 | 2 | 42.5 |
| *2014 | Tennessee | SEC | SO | QB | 6 | 10 | 20 | 50.0 | 49 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 70.6 |
| *2015 | Pittsburgh | ACC | JR | QB | 13 | 193 | 313 | 61.7 | 2287 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 20 | 8 | 139.0 |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh | ACC | SR | QB | 13 | 185 | 306 | 60.5 | 2855 | 9.3 | 10.1 | 27 | 7 | 163.4 |
| Career | Overall | 398 | 662 | 60.1 | 5236 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 47 | 17 | 144.9 | ||||
| Tennessee | 20 | 43 | 46.5 | 94 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 0 | 2 | 55.6 | |||||
| Pittsburgh | 378 | 619 | 61.1 | 5142 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 47 | 15 | 151.1 |
It's all well and good to discuss the level of someone's opponents. When a player throws 47 touchdowns versus only 15 interceptions over two years, the level of opponent doesn't matter. The man can play. But considering he also did it in the ACC, that's even better.
Peterman's NFL draft profile compares him to Kirk Cousins. Many Jets fans would have loved to have Cousins on the team if Washington had let him go, so to get a guy like him would make the fan base very happy.
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Let's look at some more thoughts from his NFL.com draft profile:
Strengths Smooth, quick set-up in pocket. Grips the ball with big, 10-inch hands. Poised in pocket and takes the hit to deliver a completion. Will set-up, slide and then re-set before making his throw. Can cut it loose from off-balance angles from bootleg or play-action if he sees a winning option break open early. Full field reader. Works all the way through his progressions. Shoots glances at safeties to keep them in check. Strong natural accuracy.
Weaknesses Inconsistent delivery base causes some throws to sail. Has instances where he short strides and is forced to muscle it to his target. Will float some throws on seams and dig routes. Will have to be mindful to drive the ball on pro level to avoid the ballhawks who are lurking at safety. Has to prove he has enough arm to challenge the same tight windows he did in college.
Having big hands is important—and not because our President mentioned it during his campaign. It makes it difficult for a pass rusher to get the ball away from him. The fact that he can read the field bodes well for him coming out of college, as he doesn't come from a "one-read" system like so many others do.
Let's move ahead and look at some video tape, per Draft Breakdown:
Isn't it simply refreshing to see a college quarterback that can play from under center as well as in the shotgun? The typical young quarterback looks like a fish out of water when they try to play from under center, so seeing a guy that can do it is exciting.
There is a lot to like about Nathan Peterman. Sure, his footwork isn't perfect, but you don't often find a college kid that is perfect. The most impressive part of his game is his ball placement and accuracy. It is very difficult to go through that tape and find an instance where Peterman throws behind his receiver. It just doesn't happen. He puts the ball ahead of his guy so they can catch it with their hands and continue running.
Even when he throws an incompletion, he doesn't often put the ball up for grabs. Typically, it's in a place where either his player can get it or nobody else can. Peterman also has a trait that is very unique. He understands that it is OK to throw the ball away and live for another down. Too many kids try to make something happen when it isn't there. This guy doesn't.
Peterman can even make a play with his legs when necessary, which becomes an added bonus. Once in a while, he could put a bit more zip on some intermediate throws. A couple of them on the tape, being so soft, allowed the defense to get to his receiver too quickly. This is the type of thing that will improve with an NFL quarterback coach.
The Jets should take a chance on this guy on Day 2 or 3. He has the makings of a very good starting NFL quarterback. What do you think?
