Teddy Bridgewater
Louisville Cardinals, Junior
6'3" 195-205lb
Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals, is one of the most talented football players in the nation and will jump up to the pro level after this season. With the jump to the pros coming soon, let's look at what makes Bridgewater a blue chip franchise player and break him down.
Strengths
The real strength of Bridgewater is his ability to do everything very well; while others player may be better than Bridgewater in one area, as a total package he is unrivaled. Accuracy is the backbone of the quarterback position and if you don't have the ability to be accurate you can't play at the next level. As for accuracy Bridgewater is currently averaging a 71% completion rate not adjusted for drops and throwaways. His short to intermediate range is particularly impressive, but his deep ball placement and accuracy leave something to be desired.
Bridgewater also has great pocket presences and even better pocket agility. Bridgewater's ability to step up fin the pocket and away from pressure he's feeling and to generate more time for himself to make a play are at another level compared to other players.
Here we see Bridgewater escaping pressure and extending a play on a 3rd down. He breaks pocket to the left and pulls the zone coverage defender away from #10 Dominique Brown to make a first down on the play and get the 1st down. All while never taking his eyes off down field, even when under duress, like so many young players do.
Credit to @CJZERO
Another true strength to Bridgewater's game is his scheme versatility. You know that Bridgewater will be able to play no matter what system he is put into. He doesn't lack arm strength ( Above average but not ungodly ) so that doesn't limit him to west coast style systems; he's got speed, so modern fad schemes like the "read-option" working out a pistol formation are a possibility for him but would probably be a waste. Not to mention Bridgewaters mechanics are fantastic, the toe is always pointed at the receiver and he always drives off his front foot, generating good velocity with ease. Even when Bridgewater is feeling pressure, he avoids falling back onto his back leg and creating a possible turnover. He sticks in the pocket, takes a hit, and delivers a strike.
Weaknesses
Bridgewater has few faults, and most of his issue are not necessarily bad; just not good. His size, for example, is not prototypical and is a tad on the smaller side; but no where near the Manziel/Wilson area.
As I said before another weakness in Bridgewaters game is his deep ball. His touch is lacking and often sails the ball a bit to far off or just off target. Possibly the biggest concern for NFL teams might be his durability. Because Bridgewater stays in the pocket and takes hits to deliver a pass, he gets hit at full force a lot.
Just look at this crushing hit laid down by Bostic, now linebacker for the Chicago Bears, taken in last year's 2013 NFL Draft. It's not only this hit though, he takes a lot of these shots and that may be a concern going forward. Though so far he has avoided any long term injuries.
Lastly, his level of competition has not been fantastic. To be honest though, the level of competition is utterly worthless when it comes to quarterback evaluation. When looking at a quarterback you look at skill sets, not level of competition. You don't need such a high level of competition to see that abilities such as ball placement are there. Also, while his release is quick and compact, the ball does come out a little low ( just below the ear ) which can lead to some possible batted balls.
NFL Projection
In the end, Brigewater will be a top-5 pick and there is no reason to think he will leave that position. Honestly, it's hard to see him falling past the number one spot at this point. Any team that ends up with him will most likely have a franchise quarterback for years to come.
