Grading System

CARSON PALMER

Position: QB Class: Sr School: Southern Cal Conference: Pac-10 Ht., Wt.: 6'5, 232 40 Time: 4.93 Grade: 4.75 Selected by Cincinnati Bengals Round 1, pick 1 (1 overall)

BIO: Four-year starter and winner of the 2002 Heisman Trophy Award and the Unitas Award as well as named Pac-10 co-Offensive Player of the Year. Completed 62.9 percent of his throws for 3,639 yards with 32 TDs and 10 INTs. Set USC single season records for passing yards, passing TDs as well as passing attempts. Garnered All-American and All-Conference honors as well. Junior totals were 58.6 percent-2,717-13-12 after 54.9 percent-2,914-16-18 the prior year. Set Pac-10 career marks for the following: total yards, passing yards, passing TDs, and completions. Has 10 games of 300-plus yards passing in his career including a single game high of 434 last season against Oregon. POSITIVES: Athletic passer who greatly enhanced his draft ranking as a senior. Sets up with solid footwork, poised in the pocket and throws with good mechanics. Patient, buys time for receivers and withstands the rush scanning the field to find the open wide out. Goes through receiver progressions, gets the ball to secondary targets and always takes what the defense gives him. Effective rolling outside the pocket, losing neither arm strength or accuracy throwing on the move. Spreads the ball around to all his targets and the passes have speed. Places his corner routes well, leads receivers with passes and overall an accurate thrower. Quickly sets up and delivers the ball off a three step drop, does not wilt as the pocket collapses around him and always looking to make positive plays. Sells play action pass, displays a good pump fake, and in control of the situation. NEGATIVES: Very erratic with his defensive reads and understanding of the offense until last season. Needs to improve his long accuracy and is still prone to forcing the ball into coverage on occasion. ANALYSIS: Combines the athletic skill, size, and arm strength needed to be an effective starting QB at the next level. May require some hand-holding and exclusive one-on-one coaching through the early years of his NFL career, but if coddled and handled in the correct manner, could be productive very early into his rookie season. PROJECTION: Early First Round Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

2002 Rushing Statistics
Rushing Yards	Attempts	Average per Rush	Touchdowns
-122	50	-2.44	4