STRENGTHS
Carson reminds me a lot of former Bengals/Cardinals QB Carson Palmer. He has the type of arm talent that makes NFL coaches drool with anticipation of opening up the playbook to using any route all over the field. He is smart and makes quick decisions getting rid of the ball quickly. He has the velocity and accuracy in the red zone to make the difficult throw look easy. Carson is strong in the pocket and throws the deep ball with the accuracy and touch that receivers will love when they go deep. He shows excellent leadership skills and looks to be very smart taking the right throw at the right time in a game and protecting the ball.
CONCERNS
There are concerns about a knee injury and if Carson can throw on the run with accuracy and extend plays out of the pocket. His workouts will be important for him to prove that he can. From what I see on film, he seems to have enough athleticism and arm talent to prove that he can.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.50
The biggest reason former NFL QB Carson Palmer struggled in the big games is because he lacks the instincts and ability to pick up the blitz BEFORE the snap of the ball and manipulate the pocket in a positive way to extend plays. Carson Strong will have the same problems and it will be the difference between him becoming just a starting QB who needs a good running game or a potential Franchise QB whose arm talent opens up the passing game so the running game can be successful. A franchise QB sees the game through the eyes of the defense and not through the eyes of the offense. A franchise QB before the snap of the ball watches the movements of the LB or Safeties and understands why they move to spots on the field because of the offense formation and adjust the play in his head to the weakness or strength of that safeties or linebacker’s movements. The average starting QB does not react to a defense that way, he just points out the mike linebacker counts the box, checks the depth of the safeties, and runs the play or audibles to another play but he does not see the offense the way the defense sees the offense. I think this Carson is worth the risk of finding out if he will be just a starting QB or a potential franchise QB so selecting him at some point in the first round seems logical and good business. Carson’s arm talent, size, and leadership qualities make it so. At least that’s how I see it. Carson could sneak into the top ten of this draft if I’m right.
