2013 NFL Draft: Predicting the Draft’s Four Biggest Busts

E.J. Manuel, QB, Buffalo Bills

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces E.J. Manuel as the number sixteen overall pick to the Buffalo Bills during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

E.J. Manuel definitely has upside, but there are a lot of things not to like about the former Florida State quarterback.

Manuel is a mobile quarterback with good mechanics, and he was the first quarterback picked when the Buffalo Bills took Manuel with the 16th pick in the draft. Manuel threw for 23 touchdowns and was intercepted 10 times in 2012, so he wasn’t extremely conservative or explosive. 10 interceptions on just 263 throws is a lot, especially considering the average quarterback throws more than 26.3 times per game (meaning that if he threw at that rate and threw more than 26.3 times per game, he’d throw an average of more than one interception per game).

In addition, Manuel isn’t extremely accurate, and he is extremely inaccurate on deep balls. Manuel is an inconsistent quarterback who will need a lot of work, and he’s going to have to get a lot better with his accuracy. While he has a lot of upside and the potential to be one of the league’s better quarterbacks, Manuel could also end up turning into nothing.

Manuel doesn’t give his receivers space to work with in the open field because they have to slow down or adjust to catch his passes. Manuel senses pressure early and often forces passes when he sees pressure, which isn’t good. Manuel will likely start his career with an abundance of interceptions, and if he can’t adjust, he’ll struggle to protect the ball throughout his career.

And if he can’t protect the ball and throw accurate passes, he probably won’t have success.