E.J. Manuel Scouting Report

Measureables:

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 237

Arm length: 35”

Hand: 10 3/8”

40 time: 4.65

Pros:

• Very good two year production as a starter at FSU
• Big arm capable of making all the throws.
• Big physical quarterback
• Great athleticism and speed, should project well for a Pistol/Option type of offense
• Very good scrambler, capble of picking up large chunks of yards if his receivers are covered
• High character and a hard working quarterback
• Decision making has improved as he’s developed
• Has a nice quick release that helps him avoid sacks
• Above average accuracy

Cons:

• He doesn’t project well as an early starter, probably needs a year or two
• Footwork will get very poor at times and he won’t step into throws
• Disappears versus some of his toughest opponents
• Needs to read the blitz quicker, and know when to run, throw it away, or stand in there and make a play
• Needs better eye discipline, can get caught staring down receivers

Overall:

E.J. Manuel is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects out there. He’s got a great combination of size, arm strength, work ethic, and athleticism, but he’s just not a guy who you can project to start early in his career. The upside is there without question, particularly if he’s going to get to run some Pistol or Option formations, but it is probably going to take a little longer to realize it. Manuel is a guy I would bet on though as I believe if he finds the right system, and is given a little developmental time, some team is going to get a really talented quarterback in a couple of years. The biggest issues facing Manuel is really working on his footwork, setting his feet properly and stepping into his throws. Many of his mistakes (and even some positive plays that he won’t be able to count on at the next level) came as a result of his poor footwork. That is a correctable issue, but a big part of the reason why he needs time to develop. The other thing that he will need to improve on to play at the next level is to work at scanning the whole field and not locking on to his receivers quite so much. He got away with that some in college, but at the next level it will lead to more interceptions and defensed passes. Manuel could go anywhere in the 2nd-3rd round range of the draft.