Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't exactly help himself in his quest to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft with his pro day workout Monday.
NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock and NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner weren't wowed by the workout, with Warner pointing out mechanical issues and Mayock saying "I expected a little bit more today."
Mayock said that while most quarterbacks have good pro days because they are able to script the workout and are throwing in a controlled environment, Bridgewater's workout was "average at best." Mayock said he saw "a lot of flutters, a lot of inaccuracy."
Bridgewater -- who has been working out with former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke for the past two months -- spoke with the NFL Network after his workout, which lasted about 30 minutes, and said, "I think it went pretty well."
Twenty-nine teams were represented at Louisville's pro day, and three head coaches whose teams pick in the top five were there -- Houston's Bill O'Brien, Jacksonville's Gus Bradley and Oakland's Dennis Allen. Other head coaches in attendance included Chip Kelly of the Philadelphia Eagles and Ken Whisenhunt of the Tennessee Titans.
Bridgewater currently is Mayock's top-ranked quarterback, but Mayock said Bridgewater's workout makes him "really anxious to go see (UCF's Blake) Bortles in two days." UCF's pro day is Wednesday.
Warner said Bridgewater had problems with his weight transfer, which led to some poor throws. "Accuracy starts with your base and balance," Warner said, and Bridgewater struggled in that regard Monday.
"I have seen a couple of balls hang on him a bit," Warner said.
Mayock said six of the top eight teams -- all but St. Louis, which picks second, and Atlanta, which picks sixth -- could use a quarterback. But given the strength at other positions in this draft, most notably at offensive tackle, with pass rushers and with wide receiver Sammy Watkins, "you'd better be stoned in love" with a quarterback to take him early because "the position players are so good. ... If you have any doubts about quarterbacks, you can't go there."
NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt was also in attendance, and noted that it was the longest QB workout that he can remember. Brandt reported that Bridgewater's accuracy was fine in the workout, and that he completed 57 of 65 passes with two drops. Brandt said Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner called the workout "pretty good."
Warner said he worked out with Bridgewater for an upcoming NFL Network show and found him to be "a heady guy" and a player "who wants to be great." Warner said Bridgewater's mechanical issues can be fixed but that a question is how long it will take.
Bridgewater isn't necessarily going to plummet in the draft on the basis of the one workout, and he obviously has a lot of good game tape or he wouldn't be as highly regarded as he is. But as Mayock pointed out, this is a draft filled with players at other positions who are considered to be elite, and Bridgewater's relatively lackluster workout is concerning. Given the depth of this quarterback class, a team -- if it is not convinced about Bridgewater, Bortles or Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel -- conceivably could find a signal-caller in the second or third round who could develop into a long-term starter.
Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, it was incorrectly stated that Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was in attendance at Louisville's pro day. Zimmer was not there. However, Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner did attend.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
