Time to end discussion Deshaun Watson is better than UNC’s Mitchell Trubisky

The 2017 NFL draft process has long since begun. As always there is talk surrounding the quarterbacks in this draft class, namely Deshaun Watson and Mitchell Trubisky. Various scouts and NFL analysts seem to be torn between the two and to be frank I can’t see how its even a discussion. Lets take a look at the two of them.

Measurables:

For the most part, Watson and Trubisky’s measurables are the same. Watson measured in at 6’2, 221 pounds with 9 3/4 hands, while Trubisky measured in at 6’2, 222 pounds with 9 1/2 hands.

Ranked Opponents:

Obviously Watson has much more starting experience than Trubisky (3 yrs-1 yr) as such that doesn’t need to be discussed. When looking at their performance vs ranked opponents Trubisky slightly edges Watson statistically. That being said, those statistics don’t necessarily lead to wins.

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Trubisky completed 64.025 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions vs ranked opponents. However he was 2-2 vs ranked opponents during his one season as a starter.

Watson on the other hand, completed 60.175 percent of his passes for 30 touchdowns and 17 touchdowns vs ranked opponents. It is important to note that Watson played more ranked opponents and significantly better ranked opponents such as Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and Auburn. Despite the stiffer competition, Watson went 11-5 vs ranked opponents. Three of those five losses came in Watson’s freshman season in which was not the outright starter.

Intangibles:

When scouting quarterbacks the “it” factor is frequently brought up. There is no test for the “it” factor, there is no way to definitively measure the “it” factor, some players just have it. Deshaun Watson is undoubtedly one of those individuals.

One NFL scout gave Watson the highest praise you can give a quarterback, comparing his football acumen to one Peyton Manning.

On ESPN back in July of 2016, Nick Saban referred to Watson as, “the best player in college football since Cam Newton.”

Nick Saban and the NFL scouts are not sitting around waiting to give out praise like this. You save special statements for special players. Those in the football world know what they are getting in Deshaun Watson. I don’t hear any scouts or coaches comparing Trubisky to Manning or Brady.

The biggest indictment of Watson’s “it” factor is his performance on the biggest stages. Take his freshman year at Clemson where he led the Tigers to a victory over in-state rival South Carolina with a torn ACL. Or his performance against Nick Saban and Alabama in both National Championships. How about his dismantling of Urban Meyer’s vaunted Ohio State defense, chock-full of first round NFL talent.

Next: 3 players who could leave early for the NFL following 2017 season

As the great Santana Moss once said, “Big time players step up in big games.”