Count NFL Media draft analyst Bucky Brooks among those who think Louisville junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft.
Bridgewater is considered the most NFL-ready of the draft-eligible quarterbacks, and on Wednesday's "College Football 24/7 Podcast," Brooks said Bridgewater's talent and position could mean he goes No. 1 over South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
"You always will opt for a quarterback over a pass rusher because it's the most important position in the game," Brooks said.
Brooks also said he believes Bridgewater, who will play in front of two NFL GMs and more than 20 scouts Thursday night against Rutgers, will live up to the expectations for quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall.
"He lives up to that model," Brooks said, much like Andrew Luck. "He's not a Sam Bradford, not an Alex Smith. ... I see him as being better than a Matthew Stafford at the position."
In addition to having the needed toughness, a strong arm capable of making all the throws and a high football IQ, Bridgewater "does all the things intangibly that you want to see at the position," Brooks said, noting his leadership ability and the focus to shrug off big expectations.
Brooks did have one qualm about Bridgewater: his lack of bulk. Louisville listed him at 6-3 and 196 pounds, and Brooks said the lack of weight "is a concern."
Bridgewater's size also bothers NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
"My only concern with him is he looks so rail-thin," Jeremiah said on the podcast.
While he is high on Bridgewater, Jeremiah does not put him in the same class that Brooks does. Unlike Brooks, Jeremiah has not scouted Bridgewater in person; he has seen him on tape and TV and plans to see him in person later this season.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
