JRP has stated publicly that he thinks he is among the top 32 quarterbacks in the world; do professional teams share his opinion?
Nearly two months have passed since the former UCF Knights quarterback and field outfielder expressed his confidence on The Paul Finebaum Show, saying, “Yeah, I think I can be a weapon in many different ways and I think I can do a lot of things. But if you ask me if I’m one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the world, then I think, ‘yeah,'” Given the opportunity that I have and will continue to have, I believe that. This week, as we approach the 2024 NFL Draft, we will find out.
What is the NFL’s opinion?
Sadly, nfl.com rates the most successful quarterback of the Gus Malzahn era to date as a “average backup or special teamer.”
Scouts have criticized Plumlee for a number of things, including his below-average stature (which also affects his durability), his arm talent for deep passes, and his awareness of coverages. Having said that, he might be among the top athletes in the NFL Draft due to his quickness, speed, and ability to break tackles. Furthermore, observing the progress he made as a starter between the 2022 and 2023 seasons may indicate that he is coachable enough to overcome some inadequacies for a team to take a chance on.
Plumlee would be best suited to sign with an NFL team that already has a starter whose game heavily depends on mobility. The Arizona Cardinals (backing up Kyler Murray), the Jacksonville Jaguars (backing up Trevor Lawrence), and the Baltimore Ravens (backing up NFL MVP Lamar Jackson) are a few examples.
Plumlee has conceded that there are further ways in which he could be used as a weapon in an offense. In the vein of former New England Patriot, Miami Dolphin, and Denver Bronco Wes Welker, he can contribute as a slot receiver given his 4.49 40-yard dash and 6.96 3-cone drill times from the Big 12 Pro Day.
On the other hand, Plumlee could be a perfect fit to contribute as a kickoff and punt returner given that the NFL will be implementing new kickoff rules in the upcoming season, which will require players to line up more like a line of scrimmage rather than charging the entire field. If Plumlee isn’t selected over the weekend, he could be a great addition to the UFL.