Quarterback

Nevada

6-5 233

Draft Board Overall Prospect Rank: #81

Draft Board Overall Quarterback Rank: #5

Overall Rating: 72 (mid 3^rd)

40 time: 4.53

3/23/11: Kaepernick threw very well. His footwork and his delivery have come a long way from The Senior Bowl, where, at least in the game, he looked very raw. He cemented his status as a 2^nd round pick in my opinion. 

2/19/11: 3 players have ever rushed for 20 touchdowns and passed for 20 touchdowns in the same college season, Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, and Colin Kaepernick. The reason Kaepernick is not being talked about as a 1^st round pick like Tebow was and Newton is, first was his level of competition. Nevada might have beaten Boise State, but they still played in the WAC, which is not the same as playing in the SEC like Tebow and Newton. Kaepernick also is a rawer prospect. He has a wild delivery like Tebow, but not Tebow’s hustle and heart. He played in a very similar scheme to Cam Newton, but his arm isn’t as big as Newton’s, his delivery needs more work than Newton’s, he doesn’t quite have Newton’s speed, and didn’t win like Newton did.

Kaepernick’s stock is on the rise after The Senior Bowl. He was very raw in the game, failing to see open targets and opt to run outside the pocket on almost every snap, but he did a good job of throwing on the run and keeping his eyes downfield. His pocket footwork needs help and he has a tendency to throw off his back foot. His delivery isn’t quite the same as Tebow’s. Some scouts have even said that it reminds them of Philip Rivers and that they wouldn’t touch it. He had the strongest arm at the Senior Bowl, not saying much, but it’s not elite and his short accuracy and footwork need a lot of work.

Kaepernick is probably best off going 2^nd or 3^rd  round to a team with a low upside starter in place, like say Buffalo will Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati with Carson Palmer, Seattle with Matt Hasselbeck, Jacksonville with David Garrard, or Arizona, assuming they sign someone like Marc Bulger or Donovan McNabb. He’s not ready to play right away, but with the right coaching, I could see him taking off and being a good starter in his 2^nd or 3^rd year.

NFL Comparison: Poor man’s Josh Freeman