INDIANAPOLIS -- Carson Wentz had a chance to declare himself the draft's best quarterback on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he passed on the opportunity.
That shouldn't be taken as a sign that he lacks confidence, though.
Wentz, locked in a battle with Cal's Jared Goff to be the first QB picked this year, was very polished during his press conference at the combine, where he was asked whether he's the draft's top QB. He didn't take the bait, but did say he's ready to become a franchise-caliber QB.
"I'm not big on speculating about that," he said. "I didn't really pay a ton of attention to the other guys. I'm really focused on myself and being the best I can be. I believe in myself. I'm confident. I believe in myself to be a franchise quarterback."
That confidence is well-placed. NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock ranks Wentz ahead of Goff as the draft's top QB, and Mayock said earlier this week that Wentz has Andrew Luck-like potential. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah projects Wentz to be the first QB picked, going No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns in his latest mock draft. That's heady stuff for any prospect, but it's especially eyebrow-raising since Wentz comes from FCS North Dakota State.
Wentz drew mostly positive reviews from his showing last month at the Reese's Senior Bowl, where he proved he could more than hold his own against all-star-game-caliber competition -- a big proving ground for a small-school prospect like Wentz.
The combine figures to be a favorable setting for Wentz, as he's highly regarded as an athlete. Workouts for QBs start on Saturday, but Wentz established an edge on Goff here in Indianapolis before either took the field for workouts. Wentz's hands measured an inch larger than Goff's (10 to 9), which should give Wentz a boost, especially with teams that have to play in inclement weather (grip on the ball becomes even more critical in those situations).
Wentz didn't gloat about his advantage in that category on Thursday, calling it just another measurement.
"I'm just here trying to show the best version of myself," he said.
It seems he's off to a fine start in that venture.
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