In his most recent mock draft, NFL Network's Bucky Brooks has the Redskins looking offense in the first round of the NFL Draft with North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
Even though the Washington Redskins recently placed the exclusive franchise tag on Trent Williams and desire for him to remain the starting quarterback for years to come, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks thinks the team could have a backup plan with the 17th-overall pick.
In his second mock draft of the year, Brooks has the Redskins taking University of North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
"If the Redskins can't get Kirk Cousins signed to a long-term deal, they could opt to take a young QB to serve as an apprentice until he is ready for the starting job in 2018," Brooks said.
In three seasons with the Tar Heels, Trubisky threw for 4,762 yards along with 41 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions.
During his junior season in 2016, the 6-foot-3, 220 pounder completed 68 percent of his passes along with 30 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Through the first five games of the season, Trubisky passed for 11 touchdowns to zero interceptions, highlighted by a five-touchdown performance in a narrow 37-36 victory over Pittsburgh.
He also had back-to-back 400-yard performances against James Madison and Pittsburgh.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Trubisky is "built to withstand physical challenges of the position."
"Calm field general. Very good pocket mobility. Can slide around circumference of the pocket without having to drop his eyes from their task. When he leaves the pocket, looks to challenge with his arm before defaulting to his feet. Always in ready-to-rip throwing posture. Delivery is crisp and efficient. Locates safeties and reads their intentions immediately after the snap. Quick through his progressions and will double back to targets if his protection allows him time. Pocket mechanics and throwing motion are solid. Tough and competitive. Shows courage and poise in the pocket. Throws passes from balanced platforms and rarely defaults to an off-balance throw unnecessarily. Has all the arm you need. NFL call sheets will be wide open with Trubisky at the helm. Can dial up deep field-side outs with accuracy. Ball comes humming out of his hand when he needs to spike his velocity. Arm talent to whip a catchable throw from difficult angles to targets outside the numbers. Makes the standard "pitch and catch" throws with consistent accuracy. Ball usually comes out on time. His 62.1 completion percentage on intermediate throws easily outpaces the top quarterbacks in this draft. Possesses get-away quickness to avoid sudden pressure from a-gap blitzers with the speed to damage the defensive cause once he leaves the pocket," his profile states.
NFL.com's Lance Zeirlein adds that Trubisky could turn out to be like 2009 first-overall pick Matthew Stafford.
In eight seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stafford has thrown for more than 30,000 yards along with 187 touchdowns to 108 interceptions.
"Trubisky is a high-end quarterback prospect who possesses NFL size, a big arm and the ability to throw with accuracy from the pocket or on the move," Zierlein writes. "Despite playing in a spread-based offense, he's a full-field reader who does a very good job of getting an early read on the safeties before crafting his course of action. Trubisky will have to become much more pocket aware and do a better job of recognizing and attacking blitzes to back NFL defensive coordinators off. He hasn't put all the pieces together yet, but the puzzle is all right in front. Trubisky projects as a good starting quarterback with a high floor and the potential to be great."
