[CBFF] Revisiting 2005 Draft: Kyle Orton

[Victor Waldron]

Kyle Orton
QB | (6'4", 233, 5.1) | PURDUE

Scouts Grade: 79

Strengths: Has adequate-to-good size. Arm strength is good but not
elite. Puts good zip on the deep out route, can drive the ball
downfield in the vertical passing game, and can fit the ball into some
tight spots in coverage. Shows excellent touch and accuracy when
throwing vertically. Has impressive timing and knows how to lead his
receivers in stride. He continues to improve his decision making
skills. Played in a spread offense where he was forced to read the
field, make progressions and check down. Knows how to read defenses
and is used to having several options. Really cut down on turnovers
and seems to have a much better grasp of the concept of ball control.
Isn't a good athlete but pocket presence is above average. Has decent
feet and will avoid the rush well from within the pocket.

Weaknesses: Has been inconsistent and streaky throughout his career.
Isn't a great athlete. Can scramble from within the pocket but won't
pick up many first downs with his feet. He will not be a threat to run
in the NFL. He has trouble at times versus the blitz and he doesn't
always make sound decisions when under pressure. Elongated delivery is
a big concern. He needs to improve his mechanics by getting the ball
up and quickening his delivery. He played in a shotgun-spread offense
that is extremely passer friendly. How will he adjust to taking snaps
under center? Will he struggle to read defenses while dropping? Is he
a bit of a system quarterback?

Overall: Orton played in seven games and earned three starts as a true
freshman in 2001. He split time as a sophomore in 2002 before
developing into a fulltime starter as a junior in 2003, as he started
all 13 games and finished with 2,885 yards, completing 60.6-percent of
his attempts, with 15 TD's and seven INT's. Orton had more of a
rollercoaster season as a senior in 2004, as he was one of the
"hottest" quarterbacks in the nation for the first half of the season
but cooled off in the second half, partially due to a lingering hip
injury. Orton finished the season completing 60.7-percent of his
attempts for 3,090 yards with 31 TD's and five INT's. Orton spent a
good majority of his time at Purdue working out of the shotgun and he
struggled with the adjustment of taking snaps from under center during
the Senior Bowl. As was the case with former Purdue star Drew Brees
(Chargers), it may take Orton longer to make the transition to the NFL
than other quarterbacks that had better experience in a more
traditional offense. Orton needs to improve the quickness of his
delivery and become much more consistent when put under pressure.
Otherwise, Orton has the physical tools and makeup to develop into a
solid starter in the NFL. He has the size, arm strength, accuracy and
mind that it takes to succeed at the next level. There's no question
that Orton is a risky "boom or bust" type of prospect, but he has
enough physical tools and was successful enough at the highest level
of college football to warrant second round consideration in the 2005
NFL draft.