Rating the Top Quarterbacks

Last week, during a session with New York reporters, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said that, as a fan, this year's draft is "going to be fascinating." Why? Because of the quarterbacks. "[Vince] Lombardi said, 'If you made a mistake on a player, you lose some games. If you make a mistake on a quarterback, you get fired,' " Accorsi said. "They are crucial, franchise-turning decisions. And it is going to be very fascinating to see, I think."
Here's a look at the three quarterbacks expected to be off the board by the end of the first round.
Matt Leinart: 6-foot-5,
224 pounds, Southern California
There are few major concerns with Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2004. In 39 starts for the Trojans, Leinart went 37-2, the second-best winning percentage in NCAA history among quarterbacks who started 25 games. He threw for 10,623 career yards and 99 touchdowns, and his interception percentage of 1.84 is an NCAA Division I-A career record. Only Vince Young's amazing performance in the Rose Bowl kept the Trojans from winning a third consecutive national title in January.
One NFC South scout likened Leinart, a pure pocket passer, to Peyton and Eli Manning. "They do it with their minds, as well as their ability," the scout said. "Leinart is like that. He has football savvy." Despite some concerns about his arm strength, he should be able to make an immediate impact.
Vince Young: 6-5, 228 pounds, Texas
No player was hotter in January than Young, who led the Longhorns to their first national championship since 1970 with the victory over USC. That game was classic Young, as he improvised with his athletic ability, his vision, and his fearlessness. With the size of a linebacker and the speed of a sprinter, Young went 30-2 as a starter at Texas. This season, he became the only player in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,036) and rush for 1,000 (1,050) in one season. Young led the Longhorns to come-from-behind victories eight times when Texas was tied or trailed at halftime; he directed six fourth-quarter comebacks.
One major question arose at the NFL Scouting Combine when Young reportedly scored a 6, out of 50, on the Wonderlic test, which the NFL uses to gauge a player's intelligence.
Even so, Young is a tremendous talent. Several scouts said they anticipate it will take him time to learn a pro-style offense - Texas does not run one - but the consensus is that, over time, Young will be the best quarterback of the 2006 class.
Jay Cutler: 6-3, 225 pounds, Vanderbilt
A four-year starter at Vanderbilt, Cutler was punished by opposing defenses who tore through the Commodores' offensive line. Cutler started 45 games over four seasons, and finished his career with 21 school records, including career marks for passing yards, total offense, completions, attempts and touchdown passes. In 2005, after completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 3,073 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions, Cutler became the first Vanderbilt offensive player since 1967 to earn an Southeastern Conference player of the year award.
Although there has been speculation that Cutler could jump ahead of either Leinart or Young, one NFC scout said he was concerned that Cutler endured six consecutive losses last season. "He's a guy who's never won," the scout said. "It just scares you."