The Green Bay Packers have tabbed quarterback Brett Hundley in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft after trading up with the New England Patriots.
A three-year starter at UCLA, he amassed 9,966 yards and 75 touchdowns through the air, adding 1,747 yards and 30 scores with his legs. Hundley was widely considered the third-best prospect at his position, squarely behind Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota but typically ahead of Bryce Petty. That’s obviously not how it played out.
That didn’t stop Hundley from thinking he belonged on the top tier alongside Winston and Mariota, though. On ESPN’s Gruden’s QB Camp (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk), Hundley said:
I think I’ve done enough to put my name in that conversation. I think that’s something that’s always going to be a chip on my shoulder. They may not say I’m in the conversation with Mariota and Jameis — and I respect them to death, they’re great friends of mine — but at the same time, I know I can put my talents against theirs. I feel confident in being able to do that.”
The 6’3″ dual-threat quarterback had visited the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers.
Hundley’s biggest strength is mobility, since opposing defenses must remain conscious of him escaping the pocket and buying extra time for receivers.
Despite a 67.6 completion percentage at UCLA, Hundley isn’t the most accurate passer and has a tendency to sail throws. He must learn to progress through reads and make quicker decisions.
Hundley will open his NFL career as the backup to Aaron Rodgers, and will likely never get an opportunity to start in Green Bay.
Photo: USA Today Sports