When you're scouting a quarterback for the NFL Draft, some things are more important than others. Arm strength is an interesting category to rate quarterbacks on because it is important, but it doesn't necessarily mean that a quarterback can't be successful if he doesn't have it. It's like speed for skill position players, it can decide where you get drafted, but it isn't a sure fire indicator of future success.
But if you're into that sort of thing (and let's be honest, who isn't) Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick had the strongest arm at the NFL Combine this weekend. And according to Aaron Wilson at National Football Post, he has the kind of potential teams may fall in love with before the draft.
"I had a chance to see him last summer at Peyton Manning's Passing Academy," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said during a recent conference call. "I spent three days watching the kid throw the ball with Peyton and Eli. He's got a huge arm. He's a great athlete, and he's got a big frame. The kind of guy you want to buy into. He's the kind of guy that's going to rise a little bit. A lot of people thought he was a third, fourth, fifth-rounder heading into the season. Now, he's probably a second round type of guy."
He's a big upside guy, but he comes out of a system that makes a transition to the NFL pretty difficult. He may rise up draft boards before the draft, and I wouldn't be surprised if some team falls in love with his potential and trades up in the draft to take him before anyone is projecting him to go. Sometimes those gambles work out, and sometimes they cost you. We'll see if that is something the Redskins choose to do.