Matt Ryan SELECTED BY: Atlanta Falcons Round 1(3)

SI Grade 4.22 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter who totaled career-high passing numbers of 59.3%/4507/31/19 as a senior. ACC Offensive Player of the Year last season and the recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Also named to the All-American team. All-Conference selection as a junior after passing numbers of 61.6%/2942/15/10.

POSITIVES: Smart, savvy quarterback whose skills nicely translate to the next level. Patient in the pocket, poised under all circumstances, and shows outstanding awareness and field vision. Natural looking off the safety, sees the entire field, and knows where his receivers are. Uses all his targets and spreads the ball around. Displays a sense of timing, improvises when things break down, and does not make poor choices. Looks away from covered receivers and goes to secondary targets. Throws with good mechanics and displays outstanding pass placement. Hits receivers as they leave their breaks, nicely places the ball into their hands, and puts touch on throws when necessary. Has an adequate deep arm and does a nice job of putting long throws in front of wideouts and letting them run to the ball.

NEGATIVES: Does not show great velocity on all his throws. Not a quarterback who picks up much yardage with his legs. Loses a lot throwing on the run.

ANALYSIS: Ryan is an intelligent, competitive quarterback who does whatever is necessary to win games. A natural leader, he has great command of the offense and is always in control of the situation. He does not possess the physical skills to be a consistent vertical passer, yet he has enough abilities and intangibles to be a productive starter in the NFL.