Packers trade up for UCLA QB Hundley in 5th round
The Green Bay Packers traded up in the fifth round to pick UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley in the NFL draft on Saturday.
Green Bay traded its fifth- and seventh-round picks (Nos. 166 and 247) to the New England Patriots to move up 19 spots in the fifth round to No. 147.
Hundley holds the Bruins' career touchdown pass record with 75 despite leaving after his redshirt junior season.
With two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers entrenched as the starter for years to come, Hundley will have time to develop.
"I wouldn't say he's completely developmental," Packers director of player personnel Eloit Wolf said. "He's played at a big-time program. Their offense is obviously different from ours, but you can see all the big-time throws that he can make. Mechanically, that's more of a question for the coaches than me, but they were encouraged by his development."
Brett Hundley at a glance
Position: Quarterback.
School: UCLA.
Height, weight: 6-3 ¼, 226.
Overview: A three-year starter at UCLA after redshirting in 2011. Is UCLA's career touchdown pass leader (75) and is the first Bruins QB to win at least nine games in three straight seasons. Completed 271 of 392 passes (69 percent) with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He also rushed for 72 yards or more in six games last season. Was a two-year captain who left UCLA early but already graduated with a degree in sociology. The redshirt junior is a native of Chandler, Ariz. His father played running back at Arizona and an uncle played quarterback at Wichita State. The Packers traded their fifth-rounder (No. 166) and a seventh-rounder (No. 247) to move up in the fifth round (No. 147). He ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He was projected as a third- to fourth-rounder.
Strengths: Excellent size, stature and arm strength. Very good ball velocity when he steps into his throws and fires. Can make all the throws and excels fitting in the back-shoulder throw. Outstanding athlete capable of hurdling defenders as a runner and creating chunk yardage with his feet when the pocket breaks down. Nifty runner with good vision, subtle open-field moves and enough run strength to fall forward. Experienced three-year starter. Recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and the only sub-4-flat-second (3.98) short shuttle among quarterbacks at the NFL combine.
Weaknesses: Average pocket awareness, passing instincts and overall accuracy. Has a long delivery and mechanics are too varied. Often locks onto receivers, throws to spots and timing and anticipation are off when asked to throw in rhythm (frequently throws behind receivers, forces them to adjust and leads them into traffic). Relies too much on his arm talent and delivers the ball off his back foot even when the pocket is clean. Holds onto the ball too long and takes unnecessary sacks (10 vs. Utah). Seldom is under center and footwork will need refinement dropping back. Production is camouflaged by a simple, horizontal passing game. Could stand to become more of a student of the game.
Quote: "Big, athletic guy, strong arm. Big upside. He's got rare athletic ability. Big hands. Felt like he had a chance to compete and be Aaron (Rodgers') backup."– Eliot Wolf, Packers director of player personnel.
-- Strengths and weaknesses provided by Nolan Nawrocki's NFL Draft Preview.
