Will Grier – Quarterback
School: West Virginia University
Class: Redshirt Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 221 lbs
Will Grier NFL Draft Profile
Top 3 Player Traits
Ball Placement
West Virginia runs a variation of the Air Raid ran by Dana Holgersen during Will Grier’s tenure as the QB. One of the big reasons why he was so effective in this scheme is he could place the ball very well for his receivers, especially receivers in the middle of the field. A lot of it is accuracy, but when he is able to anticipate what the defenders will do and/or what they are thinking, that is when you are able to get great ball placement. This was a big part of his success and a big key for NFL teams on 3rd down.
Touch
Grier does a great job throwing the ball to his receiver where he can catch it in stride. This leads to a lot of big plays when the receiver gets behind the defender covering him. With that being said, he can really create a nightmare for defenses that like to run a lot of man-to-man coverage. Especially if he has some very athletic receivers to get the ball to.
Reading The Defense
Grier does a lot of things that you want to see on Sundays. He is great at recognizing the type of defense by putting a man in motion. He does a great job at making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. He knows what his skill players are capable of to play to their strengths. These are all things that show he does his homework and puts the time in studying the opposing team. He knows what their sets look like and he works around them.
3 Player Traits In Need Of Improvement
Arm Strength
Many people think this is just being able to throw the ball 80+ yards, but it also encompasses putting some power into some of the shorter throws to fit the ball in a tight window. Grier seems to struggle a little bit in this area.
Had one of the defenders not fallen on the coverage, this play could have been an interception. There really didn’t seem to be as much on the ball as there would need to be if he were playing an NFL team and as good as Iowa State’s defense was this year, that could have been the case here.
Not Throwing The Ball Away
Sometimes the play is just not there and you need to scramble out and make things work. Other times, you just need to throw the ball away and live to play another down. It is very understandable. The ball realistically moves through you, so it is on you as the QB to make things happen. Sometimes, it is better though to throw the ball away than to keep the play alive and risk a sack or a turnover.
Footwork
Grier does need to work on his footwork. When his footwork is lazy that is when he makes mistakes. Like on this play against Oklahoma State:
While he was on the run, that was a critical point in the game. That is the play to win the game. You have to put everything into that last play, especially your mechanics to make a quality throw in scoring position.
Top 3 NFL Team Fits
Denver Broncos
This one seems like an odd selection here, but it makes sense. They did sign Joe Flacco this week, but it does not seem that he will be a long-term solution to run the offense. Drafting someone like Grier late would be a great way to have a young guy develop behind a veteran QB. That would allow the Broncos more depth and a plan for the future.
Miami Dolphins
The QB position seems to be up in the air and it looks like the team is ready to move on from Ryan Tannehill. Grier could be a great fit for new head coach, Brian Flores, and give them a much-needed fresh coat of paint. This would also create a way to not use a first round pick on a QB to possibly get the best player available to help other areas of need first.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs lured Bruce Arians out of retirement to work directly with Jameis Winston and help him become the quarterback that they drafted with the 1st overall pick. However, sometimes the best way to maximize potential is to bring in competition. Grier would not be forced to start immediately, he would push Winston, and if Winston does not improve, Tamp Bay would have a young diamond in the rough waiting. With a great receiver like Mike Evans and a decent run game with Peyton Barber and others, that might give Grier enough firepower to really make a difference early.