He lacks the big arm and is not very mobile but has great presence and instincts for the position. Has excellent balance and solid mechanics as a passer. Rarely misses open targets and plays big in big games.
This kid is a winner and I am surprised he lasted until the 7th round. I think a lot of teams really missed the boat on him. He may not be starting material but the guy can play and I believe he will prove to be a better pro player than many prospects who were drafted ahead of him.
He is poised, reads defenses well and makes quick decisions. Has good pocket awareness and can sense the rush.
Is mature and patient - will make good decisions and does not turn the ball over. Has excellent touch and throws a very catchable ball.
Has good anticipation and knows how to lead his receivers. Is mentally tough - will hang in the pocket and take a hit.
Had tremendous production in the toughest conference in college football - the SEC. Compiled a 24-3 record as a starter. Has a 66% career completion rate and threw 39 TD’s versus only 10 INT’s.
Is extremely smart - scored an impressive 42 out of 50 on the Wonderlic Test and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
With uncertainty surrounding the Jets‘ back up quarterbacks, taking one in the draft made a lot of sense. Mark Brunell is 40 and may have only one year left. Kellen Clemens has been a disappointment and will not be back. Erik Ainge is a good player but his struggles with substance abuse may have put him too far behind. Kevin O’Connell looks the part but has failed to distinguish himself.
The Jets needed more depth at the position and I see McElroy as a keeper. He brings a ton of brain power and football I.Q. and will elevate the performance of the entire QB group.
I really like him as a prospect and think he will nail down the #2 job pretty quickly. If Brunell sticks around, McElroy would be #3 but I see him giving Brunell a run for his money and will push him in training camp for the #2 job.
I expect him to absorb the play book quickly and to have the offense down in short order. That is huge for a back up!
McElroy will make everyone better - the second stringers on offense, the coaching staff and even Mark Sanchez. Sanchez is smart in his own right but having McElroy around will challenge his football knowledge and make him a more cerebral quarterback.
McElroy has great character, is very competitive and continues the Jets’ long-standing connection to Alabama at the quarterback position. First Joe Namath, then Richard Todd and now McElroy. He won’t start for the Jets of course but I see him developing into a solid player, which could make it hard for them to keep him down the road.
Mike Tannenbaum is not accustomed to picking this late in the draft. Usually he trades his 6th and 7th rounders to move up in prior rounds but he showed with this selection that he knows what he is doing in the late rounds.
McElroy is an excellent pick and will bring a real presence to the entire Jets’ locker room. Jets fans should not only be happy with his selection but with the entire Jets' draft.
I might have been nit-picking with their fourth round pick of Bilal Powell but I like him nonetheless as well as every other guy they chose this weekend. The Jets‘ scouting department did an excellent job in this draft.
Their first six picks should all make the team and should become solid contributors. Taking McElroy in the 7th was a great value pick and I see him doing good things when called upon.
Written by Alan Levin