Some teams don’t look for the home run solution at quarterback, instead taking an interested in less heralded prospects. Kevin Hogan of Stanford fits the descriptions, although the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills might be interested in spending a pick on him.
Hogan doesn’t have great numbers during his four years with the Cardinal, coming after Andrew Luck did quite well for them to say the least. But he ends his college career after four years and being the winningest quarterback in Stanford history with 36 wins, including three Pac-12 titles and two Rose Bowl victories. He had his best season in 2015, with 2867 yards, 27 touchdown passes with 8 interceptions and six rushing touchdowns.
Hogan isn’t going to be a first or second day draft pick most likely. But a sixth or seventh round selection? Why not. He’s shown he can win, has size and athleticism that could work for some teams that love to play the zone read offense at least some of the time and is comfortable with the pro style after his years under David Shaw. Winning games in college doesn’t always impress NFL scouts, and Hogan struggling with accuracy while showing subpar mechanics and footwork along the way isn’t helpful, but he has that quarterback leadership thing teams fall in love with, sometimes too deeply.
The Bills are really high on him, while the Eagles are also thinking about him as their 3rd tier quarterback. But the Browns? It’s been interesting following their offseason. Everyone seems convinced even after signing Robert Griffin III they’ll be taking a quarterback (Jared Goff? Carson Wentz?) at second overall, but maybe they have a few more surprises for everyone – drafting two quarterbacks or simply giving Griffin more credit than anyone expects, and waiting for a playmaker a bit further down the draft ladder.