Unpredictable Tim Tebow

Unpredictable Tim Tebow

Predicted anywhere from a first-round franchise savior, to a mid- round fullback/tight end prospect, Tim Tebow definitely offers the most intrigue and curiosity in this year’s NFL Draft. How he produces at the highest level becomes another question.

Questions lay abound for the 6-2 236-pound star out of Florida who played with his heart on his sleeve every down of his college career. Most NFL decision makers are centering their concerns around his throwing motion (which he has revamped and will unveil at Florida’s Pro Day), his ability to escape pressure and whether he can succeed as a dropback passer in the NFL.

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated, projected Tebow to be picked 26^th, by the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN.com graded him at a 71, which would put him toward the end of the third round. Some analysts believe he’d be a good fit for a Wildcat team, while others think he’s too big and not quick enough for the formation.

Whether Tebow becomes the next Peyton Manning, Lorenzo Neal or Jim Sorgi (Manning’s lightly used backup for the past seven years), there should be no doubt that Tebow will be around the league for a long time. He is a natural leader who will offer much more than an accumulation of stats to a franchise, its city and surrounding area.

More importantly, Tebow is a man who feels he cannot lose. While he’d surely love to be a first-round pick and a starting quarterback in the league, he has the tools and beliefs to succeed at more than just football. He appears to be the type of guy who could be just as satisfied being a missionary, a corporate spokesman or a pizza delivery guy. That intangible alone should endear him to a football franchise looking to create or continue a positive image.

The running cliché that rings truest is that it will only take one team to fall in love with Tebow to make him an early pick. That team could prove to be Jacksonville, Buffalo, Oakland or Washington, to name a few. Those teams seem to have the most need and should be most willing to take a high-risk, high-reward gamble.

Teams that take a shot at Tebow will get a winner, one way or another. He’ll surely be a winner off the field. But, it remains to be seen whether he can win on it.

Follow us on Twitter: @GridironExperts