STRENGTHS
Jonathan James is a winner. He has the arm strength and arm talent to make all the throws when he needs to make them. He has solid athletic talent to run the ball if needed. JJ can play under center or from the shotgun and has a high football IQ. JJ is a leader and knows how to win games athletically, and mentally during a game. He does an excellent job of using the talent around him but what he truly brings with him to the next level is the “Drive” to win. The need to win and the need to help his teammates win.
CONCERNS
JJ needs to manipulate the pocket better, giving his offensive line a better chance to protect him. He is more of a pocket passer than an “on the move” type of QB and this will help him to gain more time in the pocket and extend plays. Right now, he is not adept at extending plays as much as some other QB’s in this draft.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.40
Winning, Winning, Winning…this is a QB who will throw the ball, 17 times, takes 4 sacks while his team is winning 52 to 7. Think about that, that’s leadership, and that’s a winning QB. In another game, he threw the ball 27 times scored 4 TD’s, and took 1 sack. In that game, Michigan won 49 to 0. Think about that too! I believe that Stats tell a story but don’t tell the whole story. That’s why when I profile a quarterback, I look very hard for talent but more so, for the quality in a QB, that shows me he has more than just talent. JJ’s leadership jumps off the film at me. It’s “How” he plays the game, adjusts during a game, and listens to his coaches during a game. It’s how he communicates what his coaches try to do to his teammates, during the game. He is not perfect athletically, but you can also see the “Drive” in him to improve and minimize his weaknesses and not to let down his teammates down when everyone wonders athletically if he can make the impact throw and play. That’s the key to his leadership. He wants his teammates to succeed and is willing to put them in a position to succeed without being just a “hollow” cheerleader on the sidelines after a three-and-out. JJ understands what it takes to win and that is what he will bring to the team that selects him in this draft.
