Overview

Flacco is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects of this draft. While he lacks the big name of some of the other highly ranked prospects, he possesses the prototypical combination of size and arm strength scouts are looking for.

His steady improvement while at Delaware bodes well for his future development in the NFL, but Flacco's ability to handle the greater speed of the NFL is the determining factor of his final draft status. Scouts are anxious to see how Flacco responds in senior all-star games.

Two-time New Jersey All-Group II selection in football at Audobon High School. ... two-time All-South Jersey. ... two time first team All-Colonial Conference. ... Audobon's Colonial Conference Athlete of the Year. ... South Jersey Touchdown Club Offensive Back of the Year. ... South Jersey Touchdown Club first team All-Academic. ... Courier Post Scholar Athlete of the Year. ... Brooks-Irvine Offensive Scholar-Athlete of the year. ... three-year starter at quarterback for Audubon. ... threw for 5,137 career yards, including 2,020 as a senior. ... career passing yardage total ranked fourth in South Jersey history. ... set a single-game South Jersey record with 471 passing yards in one game. ... SuperPrep All-Northeast Team. ... rated the No. 33 prospect in New Jersey by SuperPrep. ... rated one of the nation's top 40 "pro-style" quarterbacks by rivals100.com. ... PrepStar All-East Region. ... earned three letters in football and baseball, and two in basketball. ... led baseball team to state title...distinguished honor roll. ... Principal's Honor Roll.

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Analysis

Positives: Certainly looks the part. ... Tall, rangy frame with room to add additional mass. ... Prototype arm strength. ... Can make all of the NFL throws with ease. ... Adequate speed in his set up and delivery. ... Solid mechanics. ... Possesses an over-the-top delivery and good footwork. ... Showed significant improvement in terms of poise and accuracy as a senior. ... Consistent accuracy in the short- and medium-range passing, especially toward the sidelines. ... Improved accuracy deep. ... Learned to read defenses better as a senior. ... Made proper check-downs in second year in the Delaware offense rather than relying on his big arm to thread the needle. ... Has shown the ability to handle two different offensive schemes in making a successful transition from Pittsburgh to Delaware. ... Lacks foot quickness and pure speed to ever be a true scrambling threat, but is a strong runner -- especially as a QB sneak threat -- due to his toughness and size. ... Isn't a finished product, but shows the tools worthy of development. ... Hasn't missed a game due to injury in his collegiate career.

Negatives: Wasn't able to beat out Tyler Palko at Pittsburgh and only became a starter after transferring to lower level Delaware. ... Protected at Delaware with a strong running game. ... Improved feel in the pocket, but still hangs on to the ball too long and isn't particularly mobile. ... Took the majority of the snaps at Delaware in the shotgun, raising questions about his ability to make the transition to the typical QB-center exchange, especially considering his lack of foot quickness. ... Can slide up into the pocket to buy time, but isn't going to scare defenses with his scrambling ability. ... Tends to lock-on to his receivers.

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Q & A

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?

Barry Sanders; Joe Montana; Dan Marino; Dick Butkis

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?

Who cares? The important part is who plays my love interest

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?

Getting to the 1AA Championship game; it will be graduating from college.

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?

My father.