Blake Bortles is 6-5, 232 lbs, and very athletic. However, that isn’t stopping at least one NFL coach from being skeptical of his abilities at the next level.
According to NFL insider Pat Kirwan, an unnamed (of course) QB coach stated to him that Bortles reminded him of former first round pick QB Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert, who is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, has been called one of the largest busts in recent NFL history.
II just had an NFL QB coach tell me Bortles reminds him of Blaine Gabbert…wow!
— Pat Kirwan (@PatKirwan_NFL) March 31, 2014
The questions about Bortles’ game are not without warrant. He played in a run-heavy offense in which he rarely was depended on to bail UCF out with his arm. Even with prototypical size and a heck of a pro day, the questions about his ability will manifest up until he’s able to show and prove this season because he did not come from a traditional QB collegiate powerhouse.
While it’s nothing new to hear the skepticism of the draftees coming from NFL scouts & coaches (see Cam Newton’s pre-draft profile), one has to wonder if these statements made about Bortles are for posturing purposes or if he’s actually thought of to be a Gabbert-like prospect. It would make sense to further the already-present doubt of other teams in order to try to ensure Bortles would slide down the draft, that way, a team wouldn’t need to trade up in order to get him if they covet him.
