New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Full-time starter over the last two seasons and started 35 games over four seasons at Colorado State. Owns CSU passing records for yards, touchdowns, completions and completion percentage. Named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Mountain West in 2014. Invited to Senior Bowl and finished game 8-of-15 for 118 yards. In 2013, broke single-game total offense record with 455 yards against Boise State. Started first five games in 2012, but suffered broken clavicle. Was expected to grayshirt in 2011, but ended up starting three games as a freshman. At Heritage high school, was named three-time first-team All-Region and had nation's highest completion percentage as a senior (73.2). His uncle, Danny Grayson, was an All-American linebacker at Washington State and was a seventh-round pick in 1990 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft




How do you feel about coming to New Orleans and learning under Drew Brees?

“I said all along through this whole process that New Orleans was one of my dream teams to go to for that exact reason. I want to go to a situation, as a competitor you want to come in and compete right away but I wanted to go to a place where I was going to have a spot behind, or have a good spot behind, a NFL Hall of Famer potentially. So this is honestly just a dream come true for me. I am beyond excited to be a part of the Saints organization.”

Read more: Garrett Grayson talks about getting drafted by the Saints




ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Tremendous deep-ball touch and accuracy this season. Puts air under the ball and feathers throw into consistently catchable spots for receivers. Gets feet set and uses lower body and proper weight transfer to drive the ball to his target with zip. Works to square shoulders to throw when outside of the pocket. Scouts love his toughness and improved poise in the pocket. Willing to face down oncoming rusher and take hit in order to deliver the pass. Shows confidence to challenge safeties and will attack press-man cornerbacks over the top. Production improved each season as starter. Has worked under center, in pistol and out of shotgun.

WEAKNESSES Has a small windup, which slows release. Catch-and-run touchdowns helped inflate his YPA and touchdowns this season. Tape work shows inconsistent decision-making and and a need for faster processing. Gets too locked in on his primary target. Rarely threatens defenses with feet. Lacks improvisation and ability to extend plays. Needs play to stay on schedule. Needs work on anticipation and trusting windows. Slow getting into his drops and scouts want quicker ball handling from him. Shows inconsistent accuracy on short throws into windows against zone. Will run his receivers into big collisions at times.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 4 or 5

NFL COMPARISON Landry Jones

BOTTOM LINE Grayson went from fringe draft prospect to clearly on the draft board with a strong 2014 season. Despite average arm talent, he uses good lower-body mechanics to generate velocity and his touch and accuracy on deep throws is eye-opening. Grayson needs more tape work to help improve his decision-making, but his size, production and growth at the position have ticked the requisite draft boxes to make him an intriguing mid-round prospect.

Garrett Grayson Draft Profile







The future?

Re: Garret Grayson
 

Yep. Brees has two years left on his contract and then Grayson takes over.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

talented sure but a wasted pick imo. better players were on the board imo. but he is sp boy i guess collar bone and all. that is why i never talked about him. another IR roll for the saints. i should know better by know i guess

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Initial reaction was 'hate it'
has great reviews and was rated higher than Winston and MM in some areas.
though we might steal Collins here, but this pick is growing on me

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I get Andrew Luck vibes from him , with a more Rodgeresque swagger

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

The league is full of QBs that are drafted in the 1st round. Not many in the 2nd, 3rd or later round. May be a waste of a pick.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Got a friend of mine up in CO who tells me we just got one hell of a Football player.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Call 911

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I like it. Russel Wilson was a 3rd round pick so it CAN happen. The issue of his slow release was addressed. He had an injury to play through last year and he had to adjust his throwing motion and release to combat the pain. He said it is a bad habit that can def be broken. If you look at his career prior to last year he actually has a pretty quick release. I cant think of anyone better to teach him about release than Brees and Payton. I like the pick. In fact I like the draft better than any others except maybe 06 so far. We will see how the rest pans out.

Remember that they always find a few diamonds that didnt make the draft so the UDFA crop is going to be interesting as well.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I guess after working out Penny & Grayson, they liked Grayson more. I think if you drafted him for the future then you need to tell him that immediately so he can become Drew's little minion. Thereby being more engaged in the learning process. I too live in Colorado & have followed Grayson's career and thought during the 2014 college season that he would be a good pick for Saints & the future. I can't believe it actually happened. I am excited but only if they groom him for the transition from Drew.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Goodbye, Luke McCown.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Ryan Griffin going to make that 3rd rd pick a waisted pick

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

he moves like Rodgers, doesn't have that arm, not sure any qb does, but he moves like rodgers

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

GG said he was so happy to have the chance to come in and learn from Drew, but that Drew would probably get tired of answering all his questions

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

this is Payton's area of expertise.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Yep a big risk, we all know injured QB's never heal properly. So thankful Brees never hurt his throwing shoulder or anything!!! Oh well Brees is an SP boy! If he hadn't blown out his throwing shoulder he'd be playing for Nick Saban in Miami! Our QB would be Billy Joe somebody and we would have lost many games BUT the Winning Defense would have felt it!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I was leaning Bryce Petty but GG was a close second. Has a few years to learn from Payton and Drew before taking over. I didn't see the lack of arm strength that the critics were talking about in his films. GREAT PICK

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

If you have to tell him that, he's not smart enough to play the position In the NFL.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I hate so say it but I had my eye on this guy and I had the sneaky suspicion in the back of my mind we would snag him with one of the 3rd round pics if he was there. He has everything SP likes.

I also think judging the picks now is just a waste of time. You don't know what they are going to do until 4 years from now. I think we will know what we got in him real soon though.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Not so fast, I honestly think this kid is going to "sprain" his non throwing pinky finger and be placed on IR this year. My best guess is the injury will occur right after the last preseason game this year...

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I look forward to him starting the moment he's better than Brees.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Spot on boss. I also think as fans we have to be realistic in our expectations, and realize we are not asking him to start this year. He's got a shoot ton to learn and IMHO there is no greater learning curve for a position in all of football. Although that may make me captain obvious. Seriously though, temper expectations, keep them realistic, and let's give him a chance. We are going to learn fairly quickly if he has what it takes or not.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Oh, and a nice little effect of this, Drew will be even more dialed in this year. There is a competitor in town, and no one out competes Drew Brees.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

The grooming thing is a myth. Example, Payton Manning had lots of QB's under him in Indy. They drafted Luck so fail. Many more examples of the grooming thing not materializing. He'll learn some things, but Brees is not prepping him or spending that much time teaching. Like the man said, keep the backup off the field.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I don't think someone like Drew could get tired of questions, he's been in Garrets position before as a young player and knows what it takes to succeed

Drew is the first player at the facility and the last to leave, let's hope Garret adopts the same work ethic because he has all the physical traits to be successful.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Drew is going to help him...some. He's not going to groom him to take his place. He has stated many times, he aims to keep backups off the field.

If you want to keep someone off the field you don't hand them a gift basket of insight. Grooming is BS.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I think what Drew means by keeping the backups off the field is that he stays healthy & makes the plays. He didn't mean he was concerned with loosing his starting job to anyone. As long as Drew is the man he will be the starter. No one is going to be chanting GG name as long as Drew is a top 5 QB. I think Drew will be the one to make the decision to retire prior to being replaced.

FYI...NFL.com is reporting that GG will be no more than a backup. What they didn't say was for how long.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

I wanted Petty but well I guess that isn't happening.

However, I feel sorry for where Petty is going. He does not deserve that at all. He won't succeed on a team who will probably be a suffocating defense.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Hey, stranger things could happen...

Montana was taken in the third round...

;)

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Drew is probably livid. He's got 3-4 more good years ahead of him.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

and goodbye Ryan Griffin

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

Best case scenario we get a Favre/Rodgers situation where Grayson can be groomed the offense for 2-3 years and then step in once Drew is declining and can be equally effective. 75% of starter QB's are generally former first round picks though. Not a lot of 3 and later starters can be found but there is a chance. I think lack of development time is the issue that causes any QB bust though. Too many people are forced into the starter role before they are ready and onto bad teams. This is likely the correct way of grooming your future QB succession plan. Drew shouldn't be upset. He's not losing his job for a couple of years minimum and if he's a team player he will be looked at as the reason the Saints had seamless QB turnover.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
 

this a pick i have to take the "IN SP I TRUST" stance. i am not that crazy about it but "IN SP I TRUST"