2017 NFL Draft: 5 Quarterbacks The Browns Must Consider After Round 1
Alek Torgersen, Penn, Projected Round: 6-FA
The Ivy League doesn’t have a reputation for producing loads of NFL talent, let alone quarterbacks. Penn’s Alek Torgersen hopes to change that.
He wasn’t invited to the combine, which surprised some media members, such as CBS Sportswriter Dane Brugler, who believe the Quaker’s signal caller should’ve been in Indy.
@PENNfb QB Alek Torgersen drops a 40-yard bomb in the bucket #ProDay pic.twitter.com/FilZnLjEjv
— Ric Serritella (@NFLDraftBible) March 9, 2017
Penn recently conducted its pro day, and Torgersen has the opportunity to impress, as the event was attended by 21 NFL teams, according to Brugler. Yes, the Browns were one of the teams in attendance, according to Penn Athletics.
I have no idea how some of these QBs received Combine invites over Penn QB Alek Torgersen, who actually has some intriguing pro traits.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 26, 2017
At 6-foot-2, Torgersen meets Hue Jackson’s threshold for height, and he’s also extremely accurate, completing a whopping 66.9 percent of his passes. Think that’s good? It’s actually a drop-off from his 69 percent completion rate in 2015. He also threw just four interceptions in 2016.
No doubt about it. He’s accurate and he protects the football. He’ll catch on with a team, even if its as an undrafted free agent because coaches love that combination.
Torgersen would be a major developmental project for the Browns, because he has little experience in a pro-style offense, according his his NFL Draft profile.
Here’s some info from the profile.
"Developmental quarterback with NFL size and a good head on his shoulders. Torgersen’s success came against a much lower level of competition, but it is worth noting that his accuracy and arm strength will also benefit his growth when he’s throwing to NFL-caliber targets. Torgersen’s traits make him a late round stash-and-hide prospect with practice squad potential early, but he could see his draft stock rise if he has a big offseason."
He’s a two, to three year project at the least, before a coach could even think about considering him as a starting quarterback.
Torgersen would probably be a better fit for a team that has an older star in place such as the Patriots or the Steelers, two teams that just so happened to also be at his pro day. With that said, his build and accuracy should have the Browns interested.