2017 NFL Draft Profile: Quarterback C.J. Beathard

In this 2017 NFL Draft profile, get the strengths, weaknesses, and a draft day prediction for quarterback C.J. Beathard out of Iowa.

Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, quarterback C.J. Beathard is looking to make an impact for a team willing to give him a chance. The problem is, inconsistency, questionable decision-making on the gridiron, and injuries have defined him.

Beathard suffered a severe sports hernia injury that required surgery about a year ago. Even in his final game as a senior with Iowa, he hurt his hamstring in the Outback Bowl and played through it. There is no questioning his toughness but at the end of the day, it’s decisions like that which make Beathard a tough sell on teams looking for a quarterback worth drafting.

Many would have sat out in Beathard’s case since a hamstring injury isn’t one to mess around with as it could lead to lingering problems for an entire football career. Beathard plays with one thing in mind and that’s winning but again, it’s always good to do what is best for the long-term and not just the moment. Either way, due to his injuries and overall way of thinking, Beathard will be waiting quite a bit for his name to be called in this year’s draft.

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STRENGTHS

Beathard has a plethora of experience running, executing, and studying a pro-style offense. He is efficient in shotgun formations and directly under center. Shouldn’t have any problems understanding the terminology of an NFL offensive playbook. When he’s healthy and on point, can really tear it up after getting into his rhythm. Known to do whatever it takes to win as he ended his collegiate career with a 21-7 overall record.

WEAKNESSES

Makes erratic decisions when facing consistent defenses that know how to bring an effective pass rush to get into his head. Will be known to throw the football into tight spaces just to try and make a play which ends up with an easy interception or blown play. Long list of injuries makes him too risky of a quarterback to consider drafting due to taking unnecessary hits that could be avoided with better decision-making.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

With his injury history and inability to be a smart quarterback in the grand scheme of things, Beathard will more than likely fall to the 7th Round of this year’s draft. If anything, he’d be drafted by a team as a training camp arm to get a further look into his skill-set. Hard to imagine Beathard being anything more than a third-string quarterback in the NFL if he makes it on a final 53-man roster.