Stafford and Sanchez lead incoming crop of NFL quarterbacks

As the 2009 NFL draft approaches, The East Carolinian begins to look at the top players available at each position. This year may not be the year to draft a quarterback unless teams are desperate to fill holes. Here's a look at staff writer Sean Labar's top signal callers:

5. Nate Davis - Ball State

Davis proved he can play in the NFL, leading Ball State to an almost perfect season and completing more than 64 percent of his passes. He has an extremely strong arm and shows great pocket presence. Davis also has the ability to see the entire field and make quick decisions under pressure. I see him going somewhere near Round 4 or 5, but I still think Nate Davis will be a dominant force in the NFL.

4. Pat White - West Virginia

White is a unique quarterback, and could fit easily into a system like Miami or even Minnesota, which use the "wildcat" formation. White is the all-time rushing leader for quarterbacks in the NCAA and has many weapons other than his arm. White showcased his talents in the Meineke Bowl in December where he threw for 332 yards and the game-winning touchdown in a win over North Carolina. White was 4-0 in NCAA bowl games, which proves that he can handle the pressure of a big game. I could see White being picked up somewhere in the middle of the draft. I wouldn't sleep on his speed and agility either. White could be what Kordell Stewart was to the Steelers years ago: a multi-purpose player.

3. Josh Freeman - Kansas State

Freeman is the most physically certified quarterback entering the draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds, Freeman has a build like Peyton Manning, a factor that will play a huge role as coaches and scouts analyze the Kansas State standout. Freeman is the Wildcats' all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and total offense. He is only 14-18 as a starter, providing an area for harsh criticism. I see Freeman going late in the first round if he is lucky, but undoubtedly early in Round 2.

2. Mark Sanchez - USC

There is a great amount of skepticism surrounding Sanchez and his lack of game experience. He decided to leave USC after only one season as the starter, but has the stats and skill to hang with NFL defenses. He has tremendous physical skills, especially the ability to find a wide-out deep downfield and complete a beautiful long ball. I feel like Sanchez really sold himself to NFL scouts in the Rose Bowl, where he went 28-of-35 with 413 passing yards and four touchdowns. Pretty impressive. If Sanchez can stay around long enough, I see him as a perfect fit for the New York Jets who are searching for a quarterback in light of the retirement of Brett Favre.

1. Matthew Stafford - Georgia

Stafford is by far the most "NFL ready" quarterback in the class. He has a dominating physical presence, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 236 pounds. As a Bulldog, Stafford completed 60 percent of his passes and threw for 3,459 yards with just 10 interceptions. He shows poise in the pocket and displays the leadership skills necessary to compete on the professional level. I see the city of Detroit smiling big as Matthew Stafford's name gets called with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.