2021 NFL Draft: Jamie Newman has ceiling to be an NFL starter

Verdict

Between his tremendous deep accuracy and arm strength, Newman has massive upside that should intrigue quarterback-needy teams throughout the NFL, as should his poise in working through his progression and the versatility he has showcased in terms of throwing from different arm angles.

Though more of a battering ram akin to Cam Newton than an agile, Lamar Jackson-style runner, Newman possesses the skill set to be a genuine dual threat at the quarterback position and can be a significant threat in short-yardage situations near the goal line. Newman averaged just 3.2 yards per carry last season but found the endzone six times.

Pro Football Network’s Nick Farabaugh also sees the upside of Newman as he heads to his new home:

"“It is a good thing that Newman ended up heading to Georgia. Wake Forest had him doing a lot of run-pass option concepts, and that is where he thrives. With Todd Monken coming onto the Georgia staff as well, that certainly could be a massive influence on what they could want to run with him at the helm. A Newman-led offense will give fans a little introspective into what an offense with Fields at the helm might have looked like in Georgia. That is the crux of Newman’s game here.”"

All the tools are there for Newman to become a starter-level quarterback in the NFL, however, he needs significant improvement in dealing with pressure and reading the field to avoid turnover-worthy throws that will be more consistently and more devastatingly punished in the pros.

If he does not play in 2020 or fails to display much in the way of improvement in this area of his game, then NFL teams may view Newman as a developmental backup who needs to sit behind an established veteran for at least a season before taking the reins of a pro offense.