HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 219LBS.
ARM LENGTH: 30 5/8"
HANDS: 9 3/8"
DRAFT ANALYSIS:
"C.J. Beathard had mostly fifth-, sixth-round grades from the teams I spoke with. Obviously has great NFL lineage, the Beathard name famous for talent evaluation, and I thought his tape was down a little bit this year. I thought he was better as a junior. Very smart, understands where to go with the football, better arm than expected when you really sit down and study him. I haven't seen him live, and the people who went to his Pro Day told me he had an excellent day." -- Mike Mayock
OVERVIEW
A lot of people know that the Hawkeyes' signal caller is the grandson of former NFL general manager Bobby Beathard -- but now C.J. is a father in own right after he and his girlfriend welcomed a girl (Lyla) into their world in December. He was the most prolific quarterback in Tennessee his final two years of high school (runner-up for one of the state's Mr. Football awards). As a redshirt freshman, Beathard played a little (9-27, TD, two INT) and the following year he saw the field more often (nine games, one start, 645 yards, five TD, two INT). He was given the reins of the offense as a junior, earning team MVP and second-team All-Big Ten honors by completing 61.6 percent of his passes for 2,809 pass yards, 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Beathard wasn't as effective as a senior (56.5 completion pct, 1,929 yards, 147TD, 10 INT) but is still considered a solid developmental prospect.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Played in pro-style passing attack, working under center and from shotgun. Capable and confident rolling out. Squares shoulders to deliver strikes. Completed 57 percent of his passes outside of the pocket at Iowa. Showed improved touch on short throws. Footwork and pocket mechanics look solid. Throws with some natural accuracy despite pedestrian completion percentage. Better tape in 2015 as he had to overcome injuries to key targets in 2016. Has the arm strength to throw the deep out without laboring. Trusts his line and keeps eyes downfield. Plays with relatively calm demeanor. Good feel and timing for screen game. Knee brace slowed him some during senior season, but he has ability to escape the heat. Team leader with ability to handle adversity. Won't take unnecessary chances.
WEAKNESSES
Hesitation is a noticeable issue. Often late to pull trigger on throws toward the sideline, forcing receivers into boundary and out of the catch. Slow field scanner who tends to lock into a single side. Too much eye-balling and not enough manipulating. Poor feel for pocket pressure. Two-year sack total of 58 is too high in play-action attack. Anchors deep in pocket and rarely climbs pocket to safe harbor. Oblivious to backside pressure until it's too late. Needs more air under the long ball. Deep-ball accuracy has been terrible. Completed under 30 percent of throws beyond 20 yards in last two seasons at Iowa. Completed just 43 percent of throws beyond line of scrimmage to right sideline.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 6-7
NFL COMPARISON Tom Savage
BOTTOM LINE
Pro-style quarterback who dealt with nagging injuries to key pass catchers and himself in 2016. His 2015 tape was more impressive, but deep-ball accuracy issues, poor pocket awareness, and unnecessary hesitation as a passer shows up in both seasons. Beathard plays checkers with safeties rather than chess, which could always hinder his ability to attack down the field with success. Could be a career backup who finds himself in the action at some point down the road.
-Lance Zierlein
[ Edited by slowriot on May 3, 2017 at 8:09 AM ]