2011 NFL Mock Drafts have Ricky Stanzi projected as a mid-round pick. He is in the process of raising some eyebrows at the Senior Bowl. He would certainly be an intriguing pick for the Raiders and 49ers, who are both in need of a QB roster infusion.
The Senior Bowl is as much about the practices as it is the games. Scouts watch every pass with great attention. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has been covering the Senior Bowl practices and had to say about Stanzi:
Overall, he’s the one quarterback on the North roster who seems to always be in control of his surroundings, does a nice job of deciphering information quickly and has the kind of ball placement and arm strength needed to make him one of the more intriguing QB prospects in this year’s draft. Looks like a guy with starting potential at the next level that could be had for a bargain in the mid rounds. It’s been a very good week for Stanzi in Mobile.
If this assessment is anywhere near accurate, one of our fine Bay Area teams needs to snap this guy up if he is still available in the mid-rounds. The Raiders have a horrible track record at developing their own QB talent, but if they have a head coach who has spent time as a QB coach and an offensive mastermind/stickler for details in Al Saunders as an offensive coordinator.
The 49ers are also in a position to take a flier on a project QB. While they could certainly use someone more starter ready, they have room to let their ex-QB head coach groom a youngster.