College: LSU
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 230
College Statistics | Year | Yards | Completion % | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| 2011 | 92 | 72.7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2609 | 58.8 | 12 | 7 |
| 2013 | 3082 | 64.9 | 22 | 8 |
Positives
Size: Mettenberger has the prototypical size that most teams want in their quarterback. Standing in at 6’5” and weighing 230 pounds. Mettenberger has the size and frame that most coaches want, even though with Drew Brees and Russell Wilson it’s not as important as it used to be.
Arm Strength: Mettenberger has one of the strongest arms in the draft and can make absolutely any throw in the NFL. He has plus velocity on his passes and can throw a rope to any part of the field. He can squeeze the ball into the tightest of windows and the windows get a lot smaller from college to the NFL. He is confident in his arm and isn’t afraid to let it rip.
Negatives
Mobility: When it comes to mobility with Mettenberger it’s almost non-existing. His has very lethargic movements and can’t outrun any pressure. His movements are very heavy-footed and cause him to take more sacks than more mobile quarterbacks. He can’t improvise on plays because he doesn’t have the mobility to do so.
Decision Making: Mettenberger has improved his decision making this season, but he still at times makes a terrible decision. He has a tendency to stare down his receivers and try to force something that isn’t there. At times he also is slow diagnosing a play and takes a sack when he should pull the trigger. That being said, if his decision making continues to improve it shouldn’t be a problem.
NFL Comparison: Carson Palmer
Much like Palmer, Mettenberger is a statue in the pocket and doesn’t have much mobility in the pocket. Palmer has also developed the tendency to stare down receivers and trust his arm a little too much. Palmer also takes some sacks that he shouldn’t. That being said, when Palmer is throwing well and making good decisions he can be one of the best in the league. Mettenberger has that ability if he can get his decision making under control.
Draft Outlook
Mettenberger is looking like he will be picked somewhere in the third to fourth-round range. Before his knee injury the second round was looking extremely likely. However, with the knee injury shortening his season, he will undoubtedly drop. That being said, if he comes out and shows before the draft that his knee is looking fine and he hasn’t lost anything he has a chance to move back up.
Best Fit: Arizona Cardinals
Bruce Arians likes his quarterbacks a certain way, tall. Mettenberger will have the chance to come into Arizona and sit behind Carson Palmer for at least a year and can learn from the man I compared him too. Mettenberger has the big arm to run Arians system and he will have time to learn the nuances of the position before he has to be the starter.