Greg Cosell: “There is not one coach [that would] draft a QB based on his ability to run around”

By Scooter_McG

Matt Maiocco recently interviewed Greg Cosell of NFL Films to talk about the 49ers choices at QB. It was a great interview that provided some excellent insight into each of the QBs strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to scout QBs and what are important traits at the QB position.

A summary of the interview can be found here: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/greg-cosell-discusses-49ers-2021-nfl-draft-qb-options-no-3-pick?amp

I also recommend listening to the full podcast on 49ers Talk with Matt Maiocco and Laura Britt.

One of the things Greg Cosell stressed, and in fact repeated during the interview, was that the ability to run around and extend plays is not something that NFL coaches prioritise in drafting a QB, and that pocket skills remain the most important trait for a QB.

When discussing the three QBs the 49ers are most linked with (Fields, Lance and Jones), Maiocco raised Jones’ lack of athleticism as a potential concern, and this was Cosell’s response, “You have to decide what’s impressive at QB, and Mac Jones to me raises the question that I think a lot of coaches, I know a lot of coaches because I spoke to them, are debating in their minds, and that’s what is the balance in today’s NFL between pocket play – being a highly efficient executor and ball distributor, which Mac Jones was in college – and the need for second reaction improvisational play, which Mac Jones will not give you.”   

He followed that up with one of the quotes from the article linked above, “I have not spoken to one coach who will say that you draft a player based on his ability to extend plays,” Cosell said. "Coaches work 16, 17 hours a day and put in a structure to attack an opponent. And they want that structure executed. If you can’t execute the structure of an offense, you can’t play quarterback in the NFL.”

Earlier in the interview, Greg Cosell had this to say, “QB is a subtle, nuanced, disciplined, crafty position. Even though we have gotten very much caught up these days in the idea that QBs need to be able to make improvisational, second reaction plays, that’s not how the position is taught or coached, and there’s not one coach that you would speak to today that would tell you that ‘I would draft a QB based on his ability to run around.’”

Not one coach.

I find this interesting given how many 49er fans think the pick at #3 must be a player with the elite athleticism to provide those “improvisational, second reaction” skills.

Here was another insightful quote from Cosell, this time when discussing the weaknesses with Fields and in particular his high sack totals, “There’s two things that should not happen unless the defense demands that it happen, and these are two things that have almost become accepted in the QB lexicon now. Number 1: You should not move, unless the defense demands it. Number 2: You should never throw the ball off platform, unless the defense demands it. And yet these are two things that we talk about now as if that’s the way to play the position, and it’s not the way to play the position.”

While the quote came while discussing Fields, it was more a general comment about the QB position. And it was spot on – the success of QBs with mobility has seen many casual football observers shift their thinking to believing it is a necessary trait for success, and therefore is one of the most important traits for a QB. As Greg Cosell said in this interview, NFL coaches disagree. While Cosell acknowledged that coaches debate how important improvisational skills are, the ability to work from the pocket remains the all important trait, and the one they scout for.

When asked by Maiocco which QB Cosell thinks best exemplifies and demonstrates the skills necessary to excel as a pocket passer and pass with anticipation, Cosell’s response was immediate, “Mac Jones is the best at that. More QBs than not in college football are what I would call “see it, throw it” QBs.”

“Mac Jones has a lot of really good traits. He’s got a very good sense of anticipation and timing. He’s got a feel for manipulating the defense. He can move in the pocket a bit – he’s not mobile but he can move in the pocket. I thought that he had a very good feel and understanding for zone coverage concepts, he could throw into zone windows. I thought he was really decisive.

“I thought he threw the deep ball pretty well. Thought he was willing to turn it loose, which I think’s a positive. Clearly they ran NFL route concepts and combinations at Alabama, saw the field well. So there’s a lot to like about Mac Jones.”   

Now it is important to understand that Greg Cosell was not suggesting Fields or Lance won't be great, or can not be great pocket QBs. But what was clear was that Cosell thought Jones was the superior of the three when it comes to the all important pocket traits right now. 

There was a lot of wisdom in Greg Cosell’s comments in this interview. I suspect most 49er fans don’t want to hear it though.