NFL Draft 2018: Why Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen don't stack up to Eagles' Carson Wentz

NFL Network's Mike Mayock doesn't think this year's NFL Draft prospects at quarterback stack up compared to Eagles' Carson Wentz.(Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports)

There's been a perception about this year's NFL Draft quarterback class, that it's deep and more talented than usual at the top-end.

That might be right. USC's Sam Darnold, Wyoming's Josh Allen, UCLA's Josh Rosen and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield all have a case for being Top-5 picks. Louisville's Lamar Jackson isn't far behind.

Are any of them franchise quarterbacks? Maybe.

The way NFL Network's Mike Mayock sees it, none of this year's prospects are clear-cut future NFL stars. At least, not compared to two recent quarterback draftees who carried all of the traits Mayock looks for when he's evaluating quarterbacks with franchise-changing potential.

One is Andrew Luck, drafted No. 1 out of Stanford by the Colts in 2012.

The other: Eagles' Carson Wentz, drafted No. 2 two years ago out of North Dakota State.

"The two easiest quarterback evaluations I've had in the last 8-10 years are Andrew Luck and Carson Wentz," Mayock said. "That's because everything checked off both on the film and all the intangibles. Those two guys walked and talked like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, etc. I don't see anybody in this class that I get the same gut feeling for as those two."

Luck left Stanford as one of the most highly-touted quarterback prospects in recent memory after a stellar collegiate career, and he was continuing that success in the NFL before missing the entire 2017 season with a shoulder injury.

Wentz was -- and is -- a physical specimen coming out of college wit a 6-foot-5, 237-pound frame and top-level arm talent and athleticism for a quarterback prospect. It wasn't quite the same consensus as Luck was, though, as Wentz had a history of injuries and played at the FCS level. The Rams traded up to pick Jared Goff over him. It seems to be working out just fine for the Eagles ...

As for the 2018 prospects, Mayock is a little less sure. Here's specifically what he said about Darnold, Allen, Rosen, Mayfield and Jackson as it relates to the Wentz/Luck comparison.

Darnold: His No. 1 guy because of Darnold's ability "to beat you from both inside the pocket and outside the pocket."

Allen: Has the "biggest upside in the draft" but has to improve his accuracy, timing and anticipation.

Rosen: The "most natural thrower in the draft" but compared him to ex-Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford due to questions about his durability.

Mayfield: He said "the film's good" but questioned whether some teams want Mayfield "being the face of your franchise."

Jackson: It was mostly positive about Jackson, who Mayock said is the most "spectacular athlete in the draft" and that a team might have to change their schemes and philosophy to fit his skillset.

Still, Mayock sees none of these quarterbacks -- even though he's particularly high on Darnold and Jackson -- as the same level of prospect that Luck or Wentz were coming into the NFL.

"When you look at those five kids," Mayock said, "history tells you we'll be lucky if we get 2-3 that become franchise quarterbacks."

Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter  @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.