Matt Barkley 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Player Name: Matt Barkley
Position: Quarterback
School: USC
Height: 6’2
Weight 220
Matt Barkley is finishing up his junior year with the USC Trojans in 2011, and has been a full time starter since winning the #1 quarterback job in the summer before the 2009 season.
Barkley came out as one of the nations top recruits and was immediately predicted to be a first round caliber quarterback in either the 2012, or 2013 NFL Drafts.
Strengths
One thing that you look at with Barkley is that he’s in a pro-style offense, one that allows the receiver to make the play moreso than the quarterback himself.
The offense features a lot of short/intermediate routes, including many screens to both running backs and receivers. It’s a version of the West Coast Offense, which really plays well into Barkley’s abilities.
Barkley’s accuracy is fair when throwing the short/intermediate routes, and best when he’s throwing towards the sideline. He has above average mobility, and excellent arm strength.
Barkley has a high release point, which helps him out due to his height only at 6’2, and a quick release.
Weaknesses
I have several issues with Barkley overall, mostly that he’s really limited into what sort of offense he can really play in. He doesn’t have very good deep ball accuracy, especially in the middle of the field.
His pocket awareness is mediocre at best, getting sacked way too many times for a guy who had bookend tackles in 2010.
Barkley’s vision is adequate at the next level, but we want to see him stop staring down his receivers as much. We also want to see Barkley stay consistent with his footwork, and make more balanced throws.
He’s not a good passer on the run, and when he gets rattled he tends to make off-balanced throws. Sometimes confidence seems to be an issue as he tends to avoid the middle of the field.
Overall
Barkley has a lot of talent, but he still needs a lot of work, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay for a fourth year at USC. Right now a late first round pick grade is ideal for him, assuming he gets drafted to the right offense.
With enough work from a great quarterbacks coach, he could learn to make all of the throws at the next level, as his arm strength is more than adequate enough to make them already.
His accuracy just needs to improve before he starts throwing more in the middle of the field.
NFL Comparison: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Video courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com
