Few quarterbacks are more polarizing in this year's NFL Draft than Georgia's Stetson Bennett.
The defending two-time national champion isn't being talked about as a top-level prospect, however. The question surrounding him is whether he'll be drafted and what his NFL ceiling is.
Bennett's college results can't be dispelled. Just four quarterbacks: Tommie Frazier, Matt Leinart, A.J. McCarron, and now Bennett have won back-to-back national championships. With that being said, there's also no denying that happened with one of the most talented rosters in recent memory. While every QB is a "system QB " to an extent, some benefit from their systems more than others.
Bennett is viewed as being on the far end of that spectrum. Furthermore, there are reports swirling of teams being cautious of Bennett for off-the-field issues, including a public intoxication arrest shortly after Georgia's national championship.
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NFL teams, of course, are not especially famous for their moralizing. If a team thinks Bennett addresses a roster need, they'll add him. But what exactly will they be getting? The Sporting News takes a look at the best -- and worst -- case scenario for Bennett as he prepares for the draft.
Stetson Bennett NFL Draft scouting report
The book on Bennett is a great college quarterback who might struggle with the (significantly) increased size and agility of NFL defenders.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein praised Bennett for his confidence and decision making, especially in games with added significance. The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer has him as the 10th-best QB in this draft, behind Malik Cunningham but ahead of fellow Heisman finalist Max Duggan.
According to Zierlein, an NFC executive doesn't see Bennett becoming a starter any time soon (or ever). He struggles with tight windows, is prone to making some hospital passes over the middle, and his timing is off at times.
Stetson Bennett stats
A one-time walk-on at Georgia, Bennett's stats are his most compelling argument.
After not throwing a pass in his freshman season, Bennett went on to still have a four-year career as a fifth-year senior. When he earned the starting job in earnest in 2021, he threw for 2,862 yards before jumping up to 4,128 last season. His 66-21 TD-interception ratio is another big boon as far as ball protection goes.
Ultimately, the stats are there for Bennett. It's the context around them that make him so polarizing.
| Year | G | Comp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 20 | 27 | 74.1 | 260 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 2 | 1 | 172.0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 86 | 155 | 55.5 | 1179 | 7.6 | 6.9 | 8 | 6 | 128.7 |
| 2021 | 14 | 185 | 287 | 64.5 | 2862 | 10.0 | 10.9 | 29 | 7 | 176.7 |
| 2022 | 15 | 310 | 455 | 68.1 | 4128 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 27 | 7 | 160.8 |
| Totals | 41 | 601 | 924 | 65.0 | 8429 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 66 | 21 | 160.7 |
Stetson Bennett NFL comparisons
Best-case scenario: Matt Moore
Matt Moore hung around the NFL for a long time by being a viable "break glass in case of emergency" guy.
With the Panthers, Dolphins and, for two seasons, Chiefs, Moore was a player it wasn't devastating to have come in in a pinch but fans didn't want to see starting a whole season. The one season in which he started most of the year -- 2011 -- the Dolphins went 6-6 with him at the helm.
Being realistic for Bennett, that would be the best spot for him. A team with an established starter where he isn't going to be asked to do too much early (or even later). Because of his frame and some of his tape, it's hard to imagine him taking someone's job in camp.
At his best, Moore was a fringe starter. That's likely what Bennett will aspire to as well.
MORE: Ranking the top 10 QBs in the 2023 NFL Draft
Worst-case scenario: Johnny Manziel
They say the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. There aren't a lot of cases that's more true of than Johnny Manziel.
Bennett's forecasts are very different from Manziel's. Manziel was a first-round pick by the Browns who also had some known character concerns coming out of college. He had a few moments in the NFL, but never really got off the ground.
Bennett has a similar frame to Manziel (Manziel is actually a bit bigger) and the off-the-field issues ring similar to Johnny Football.
Although it's hard to imagine a team ushering Bennett into a starting position the way that Manziel was, it's not unfathomable to think Bennett could see playing time due to some extenuating circumstances and find himself out of the league somewhat quickly.
Stetson Bennett mock draft
Mock draft projection: No. 171 overall
TSN's seven-round mock likes Bennett going to the Rams with a comp pick at 171 overall. There, he could comfortably serve as a backup for Matthew Stafford. Based on the rumors around Bennett, if he gets drafted a fifth-round pick isn't unreasonable for him. But it will depend on how the rest of his draft lead-up goes.
