Gardner Minshew NFL Draft Prospect Report

 

Next on the list is fellow former Palouse resident, Washington State’s Gardner Minshew. He comes in at a respectable number seven.

 

 

Introductions

Minshew is 6’1” 225 pounds, so he’s a little on the shorter side. If there’s anything this draft is about, it’s the fact that quarterback height doesn’t really matter, talent does. Also, 6’1” is taller than Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield and Drew Brees. It’s also a mere inch shorter than many quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. Minshew ran the 40 in 4.96 seconds. He did the 3 cone drill in 7.14 seconds. Minshew ran the shuttle in 4.45 seconds. Gardner had two average years at East Carolina, before transferring to Washington State for his senior year.

Senior Year

 

Minshew was college football’s most accurate passer this past year with a 70.7 completion percentage. He also put up 38 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. His great numbers are due in part to Washington State running an air raid system. He dumped the ball off a lot, as those were the designed plays he ran. When he did look downfield, he looked very comfortable. He showed off arm strength with the zip on intermediate routes. Also, he can put the ball downfield with authority. Minshew fit the ball into some very tight spaces, the spaces that need to be hit in the NFL. I was very impressed with Minshew’s tape, so I took a look at his only bad game last year which was against the University of Washington.

The Apple Cup

 

Minshew wasn’t particularly bad against Washington, but he made mistakes when he was trying to do too much. I can certainly understand though, his team was losing, time was running out, so he made a couple of ill advised plays. One of his picks was a throw to the end zone at the end of the half. I don’t really count that one. The weather was also terrible, which affected his receivers route running and catching ability.

 

Despite Minshew’s poor combine numbers, he looks OK when he’s running. He moves in the pocket well and throws on the run well. He also ran for four touchdowns at WSU.

Prediction

 

I think Minshew has all the tools to be an NFL quarterback. He has above average arm strength and great accuracy. I’ve read reports that are critical of his accuracy, but I have no idea what tape they are watching. He hits receivers on the run, and fits the ball into tight spaces. What else someone can do to be considered accurate? I was able to speak briefly to Minshew at the Combine and he said he felt the air raid system carries over to the NFL well and it puts a lot of responsibility and freedom on the quarterback and he enjoys that.

 

Draft Dive Grade: 2nd/3rd Round

 

Likely Landing Spots: Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona’s new coach, ran an air raid offense. If they focus on their many other holes early, and stick with Rosen, maybe Minshew gets a shot in Arizona. New England runs a West Coast offense, but also has elements of the air raid in it. The Saints or the Lions might be possibilities as well. I think his skill set makes him a fit anywhere. He’s so close to the next quarterback on our rankings it could go either way.