Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel really impressed at the Senior Bowl last month, outshining more “game ready” quarterbacks like Tyler Wilson and Mike Glennon to win the game’s MVP award. Even with a stellar combine and pro day workout, Manuel is unlikely to be taken in the early rounds, and at this point projects to be a project quarterback. But make no mistake, he has the size, smarts and potential to be a star in the NFL if he can just improve a few key things.
| Ht | Wt | Class | Rank | Projection |
| 6'4" | 237 | Senior | 75 | Early Fourth Round |
Strengths
Mobility: Manuel is a true dual-threat quarterback. He has great awareness as a runner and does a good job of hanging onto the ball. Manuel has above-average speed for his size, and uses his body well to deflect runners. He reminds me a lot of Colin Kaepernick when he breaks through the line of scrimmage.
Arm Strength/Mechanics: Manuel has a cannon of an arm. He can throw the ball 55-plus yards through the air with a simple flick of the wrist. Manuel also possesses superb, quick release and holds the ball in a good spot pre-pass.
Size: At 6’4” and 237 pounds, Manuel couldn’t be more prototypical to play quarterback in the NFL. He’s tall, muscular and strong; and when you take his mobility into account, he’s really physically gifted for his size.
Weaknesses
Decision Making: Going into his junior season in 2011, Manuel was thought to be a top-ten prospect by many. But after two full seasons as a starter, he really hasn’t progressed much in terms of decision making. Manuel has a hard time going through his progressions, throws into questionable coverage and at times telegraphs his throws with his eyes.
Pocket Presence: This ties into his poor decision making skills, but Manuel is pretty terrible in the pocket. When rushed he will often throw the ball into coverage, or tuck the ball in and run after only going through his first progression.
Accuracy: Manuel shows flashes of above-average accuracy at times, but overall needs to improve immensely and learn to put some touch on his passes. His 68-percent completion percentage in 2012 is more luck than skill.
Bottom Line
Manuel is an intriguing and interesting prospect. He is a high character player with great leadership skills and the has the size, speed and mechanics to be a great starter in the NFL. That said, he still has a ways to go and absolutely must improve his decision making skills and accuracy to achieve his full potential at the professional level.
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