2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for J.T. Barrett

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the USC Trojans in the first half during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the USC Trojans in the first half during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the USC Trojans 24-7 during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the USC Trojans 24-7 during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The expectation is that Ohio State Buckeyes star J.T. Barrett will be a late-round 2018 NFL Draft pick. What strengths and weaknesses will define his reputation?


The 2018 NFL Draft will feature a number of quality quarterbacks. Between the four first-round locks, the two polarizing prospects who are knocking on the same door, and the sleepers further down the board, the talent level is at least intriguing.

One of the quarterbacks who continues to fly under the radar, however, is Ohio State Buckeyes field general J.T. Barrett.

Barrett is one of the more polarizing prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft. As a player who’s projected to go in the later rounds—or even undrafted—the comments that he should transition to wide receiver are based less on race than those about potential first-round selection Lamar Jackson.

Barrett isn’t quite as explosive as Jackson, however, and may lack the ideal level of overall athleticism to play running back or wide receiver.

Thus, the question beckons for Barrett: Can he again overcome the odds and make it as a quarterback in the NFL? There will be skeptics, but the tools are in place for yet another case of overachievement from the Ohio State star.

The question is: What are the key strengths and weaknesses that will define J.T. Barrett as a prospect as he approaches the 2018 NFL Draft?