Baylor’s Robert Griffin III came out of nowhere to win the Heisman Trophy, an award many assumed Andrew Luck would win. Griffin won’t do the same when it comes to another honor, that of being the first overall pick. Luck won’t be budged from that spot, so says ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper.
“Andrew Luck is the best quarterback I’ve graded in the 34 years I’ve been doing this,” Kiper said. “I don’t see any way [Griffin] could go first. Andrew Luck is viewed as a more athletic Peyton Manning. … You can be No. 2 to Luck and still be special.”
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That means there’s little doubt whom Indianapolis will take since it has the first pick. It’s tough to pass up a potential franchise quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years when your current starter — great as Manning has been — soon will turn 36 and is coming off a major neck injury.
But what about Griffin? Kiper said his task now is to gain momentum to ensure he is the second pick. One key will be how tall he is when he’s measured at the NFL Scouting Combine next month in Indianapolis. If he’s 6-foot-2, as he is listed, then he will be fine.
“If he’s 6-foot-1, there’s no buzz,” Kiper said. “That’s just the way it is.”
No buzz as in being the No. 2 pick. But Kiper, echoing many, likes Griffin.
“He can throw the deep ball so accurately,” he said. “People say he’s tremendously mobile, but he’s a straight line guy. He’s not Michael Vick. He’s not as explosive. But RG III is a much better passer, and that’s why he has such a high grade.”
– John Keim
