If you’ve been paying attention to what the Dallas Cowboys have been doing so far this off-season, then you’ve probably noticed that they are in full search mode to find a backup quarterback that could eventually take over once Tony Romo finally hangs up his cleats.
The search should only intensify now that just about all of the college pro days are completed and I’m sure we’ll continue to hear numerous accounts of the team working out one QB prospect after another. One quarterback that has pretty much flown under the radar that could be of interest to the Cowboys is the former Oregon Duck, Vernon Adams.
Adams has mostly flown under the radar because he lacks the prototypical size that NFL teams generally look for in their quarterbacks, but there is no denying he is a talented prospect.
Standing at just 5’11” and weighing just 200 pounds, he looks more like a slot receiver than a starting quarterback in the NFL. Despite his lack of size I believe he could be a very good backup quarterback that could develop into a starter in time.
Fortunately, I’m not the only one that is on the Adams hype train.
https://twitter.com/JC1053/status/714617399098482688
Even former NFL Scout and current Dallas Cowboys Staff Writer Bryan Broaddus supported Jeff Cavanaugh’s assessment of QB Vernon Adams.
@JC1053 is on that train. Was impressed with deep ball accuracy. Throws it at all levels. Always moving in pocket https://t.co/hAQpflKdwQ
— BryanBroaddus (@BryanBroaddus) March 29, 2016
With both Jeff Cavanaugh and Bryan Broaddus agreeing about Vernon Adams, surely the Cowboys have the same type of opinion about him as a QB prospect.
Adams’ lack of size doesn’t really bother me. He’s a competitor that can make all the throws at the NFL level and knows how to move in the pocket to extend plays. He is a good decision-maker with the ball and is able to work through his progressions quickly.
We have seen some of the smaller quarterbacks find success in the NFL and I don’t see any reason why Adams can’t be another one of these success stories. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Seattle Seahawks current quarterback Russell Wilson, who is listed as 5’11”, 205 pounds.
Wilson is known for his leadership and that is one of Adams’ best traits as well. The way they both move around the pocket to buy extra time is similar and they both have very good down the field accuracy when throwing the ball.
Adams also reminds me a little bit of former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (without the baggage), but I believe Adams is quite a bit further along with his decision-making, as well as throwing the ball with accuracy. Manziel tends to rely too much on scrambling, whereas Adams is looking to make a play down the field before making a play with his feet.
Manziel is another QB that doesn’t quite fit the prototypical size that NFL teams want, but owner/general manager Jerry Jones has publicly voiced his infatuation more than once about Manziel, so why not Adams?
Although Cavanaugh has a 3rd round grade on Adams, I can see him sliding down a lot further in the draft and possibly going undrafted because of his size. I could possibly see a team taking a flyer on him in the fifth or sixth round and I think the Cowboys would be wise to use one of their six round compensatory draft picks on him.
Adams may never develop into a starting NFL QB, but I wouldn’t bet against him. I think the worst case scenario is that he has a solid career as a backup QB in the NFL and that is something that the Cowboys could definitely use after suffering from sub par play in 2015.
What do you think? Are you ready to jump on the Vernon Adams hype train?
Choo-Choo! #TeamAdams
He looks great on film & we can certainly understand why he'd drop in the draft because of his size. But what about coming from an offense that plays mostly out of the "Shotgun"? This will concern scouts about him adjusting to playing under center too. No? And can the Cowboys staff actually be able to develop him? I just can't seem to trust them to be able to do that.
A lot of college quarterbacks entering the NFL would have to prove that they can play from under center because of the popularity of playing a shotgun in a lot of college programs. I really don't see a problem with Adams learning to play from under center. Also, because of a lot of college programs playing out of shotgun the majority of quarterbacks will have to be developed anyway. Picking up Vernon Adams later in the draft is beneficial because you're not using a premium draft pick on a developmental QB, which allows you to address other needs earlier.
Besides his size….doesn't he play out of the "Shotgun" too much?
And will this coaching staff be able to develop him? I think hey won't. They just seem not to be able to develop players well.
That is a concern, but to not draft someone that needs developing would be a mistake. There are always going to be hits and misses when selecting players in the later rounds. They need a backup QB and I think they'd be willing to spend the time to try and develop one.
I don't think learning to play from under center would take him too long. I believe he's a coachable player and has the mentality to succeed in the NFL because he wants to prove the doubters wrong.
Hi, Brian. Give me your opinion on another QB I think would be the next great Dallas QB: Dak Prescott of Mississippi State. If Dallas picked him (he is said to be going between pick 67–3rd–to pick 139–Dallas' 2nd 4th) as their next QB–and/or Vernon Adams, I would be a Dallas Cowboy again. Talk back to me, and hang in!!!!!
Hi, Bri, Rob again. What's your take on Jacoby Brissett of NC State? He's a good one at QB, too. And I know of at least three mock drafts who have him going to Dallas in round 4 and one who says he'll go to Dallas with their earliest 6th round pick. What's your take??? Thanks!!!!