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Arizona Cardinals: 3 players to pass on in the draft

By Vijay Singaraju

Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Mississippi State

 Dak Prescott followed up a Heisman contending 2014 season, where he led the Bulldogs to the #1 spot in the ranking, with a statistically better 2015 season as a passer. As a senior, Prescott threw for 3793 yards along with 29 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while completing 66% of his passes.

Prescott stands at 6’2″ and 226 pounds and has proven that he is very durable and strong for his size. He is also a gifted runner and finished 2015 with 588 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

At first it looks like Prescott improved as a passer as his completion percentage went up approximately 5 percent from 61.6% to 66.2%. However, this increase is mainly attributed to the increase of short yardage throws he took this year (208) compared to his junior season (86).

While Prescott is gifted as a rusher, he lacks pocket presence and has the tendency to get”happy feet” and panics when pressured. His footwork needs work, and he also needs to learn to step into his throws rather than trying to rely on his arm strength to get the ball where it needs to go.

Bruce Arians likes quarterbacks with the ability to complete the deep pass on a consistent basis (a la Carson Palmer). Prescott struggled to complete deep passes along with intermediate passes all season. He throws to where his target is rather than where the target will be which puts his ability as a passer into question.

While Prescott is a talented player, the Cardinals are better off looking for a quarterback who better suits what Bruce Arians looks for in a quarterback, like Ohio State’s Cardale Jones or Alabama’s Jake Coker.

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