With The First Pick
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2017 NFL Draft: California Davis Webb Scouting Report

By Jon Dove

Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) warms up before the game against the Washington Huskies at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) warms up before the game against the Washington Huskies at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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California’s Davis Webb is an intriguing quarterback prospect who has the physical tools needed to be an effective NFL quarterback.

Davis Webb features good size for the quarterback position which includes solid bulk. He has a powerful throwing arm which allows him to make all the necessary throws. Webb can also generate a lot of zip to all levels of the field.

He’s a solid athlete who can climb the pocket and extend some players. However, Webb isn’t someone who will create with his legs.

It’s easy to look at Webb and see someone with big-time potential at the next level. However, he’s far from a finished product and needs time to refine his game. Webb is reportedly a hard working and someone who’ll take to coaching.

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This is good news because he’s going to need to spend plenty of time improving his craft. The starting point should be his footwork. Webb features sloppy footwork which includes not squaring his body to his target, failing to step into his throws and fading away.

These poor habits all contribute to Webb’s struggles with ball placement and overall consistency. Too often, his passes arrive behind his target which limits the opportunity to gain yards after the catch. There are also too many situations where the pass skips to the target.

Webb’s technique problems also extend to his throwing motion. He can get sloppy and lazy with his release by just flicking his wrist. Again, this leads to poorly thrown balls and inaccuracy.

California’s offensive system is seen as a negative among NFL evaluators. It’s a system that rarely asks the quarterback to go through progressions, features a lot of screens and doesn’t ask the quarterback to work from under center.

This system also doesn’t require the quarterback to call plays from the huddle or make reads at the line of scrimmage. It puts pressure on rookie quarterbacks to learn the basics of the position before they are able to get into the complex parts of playing quarterback.

Overall, Webb is a high-upside prospect who shouldn’t be counted on to make an immediate impact. It’ll be key for him to land with a team that has a strong coaching staff. Webb would also benefit from having a veteran presence ahead of him on the depth chart.

Current Draft Range: 3rd Round

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