Name Dave Ragone

College Louisville

College Position DE

NFL Position DE

Height 6-4

Weight 255

Positives-The positives with Dave are size, accuracy, and toughness. Ragone has classic NFL size at 6 foot 4 and 255 pounds. I also like his accuracy, he is better on short passes then long passes. Dave completed 55% of his passes this year, and this was a down year for him. I am very impressed with the way Ragone took a beating this year, but kept getting up.

Negatives- The negative with him are pocket presence, ball security, and the fact that he is not real comfortable under center. I have some concerns with the fact that he will take off, and run before he has to. I would not have a hugh problem with this if he was very mobile, but he is about as fast as I am (which is pretty darn slow), I have also noticed when Ragone is under pressure he will hold the ball low, and sometimes with only one hand. Ragone takes most of his snaps in the shotgun, and does not look real comfortable under center. I think this can be corrected with coaching. One last not Dave did not have a big year this year, but I contribute that to a poor supporting cast.

What others are saying- Rob Rang collected by draftbook.com

1-18-03 Classic dropback quarterback with the prototype size, arm strength, accuracy, and experience in a pro-style passing attack. Operates in a QB friendly offense, which balloons his numbers, but hones his coverage-reading skills. Strong arm. Zips the deep out, but also shows touch lofting the ball over the linebacker and under the safety. Solid, athletic frame, and tough. Ragone is the type who will try to run through tackles, but he is also athletic and came shake the unsuspecting defender, as well. Refuses to slide and will take on linebackers head on. Needs to do a better job of protecting the football when moving about in the pocket. Burst onto the scene as a sophomore, replacing the recently drafted Chris Redman (now with Baltimore). Simply out produced the career passing leader in his first season (2,942 passing yards, 29/11 TD to INT ratio). Enjoyed his finest statistical season as a junior when he threw for 3,284 yards and a 26-8 ratio. With favorite receiver, Deion Branch moving on to the New England Patriots, some suggested that Ragone would struggle a bit early this past season. Ragone did struggle, at times, this season though much of that has to be attributed to a lack of support. A southpaw and thus relying on the right tackle to protect his blindside, Ragone was unfortunately surrounded by inexperience along the offensive line and at receiver. He was constantly pressured this season and had some of his best passes dropped. For the year, Ragone threw for 2,687 yards and a more than respectable 23-10 ratio, earning him his 3rd consecutive Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award. Ragone has nice list of positive attributes. Besides the factors listed above, Ragone is a leader and never complained about his lack of support. He works hard in the weight room and studies film and will put the time in to improve. There are, however, legitimate concerns. For one, Ragone has dropped statistically each of the past three seasons - leading some to believe that he is maxed out. Another is that coaches tried to tinker with Ragone's throwing motion a bit this past spring and Ragone and the offense struggled - thus some are wary of his ability to improve mechanically. Like many of the others listed here, Ragone took the majority of his snaps via the shotgun, so his footwork is another concern. Had a chance in Mobile to answer questions about his play, but inconsistent accuracy and decisions with the ball only created more in the minds of scouts. General Grade: 1.78, Position Grade: .71

Overall- Ragone is a player that was very highly regarded coming into his senior year, but struggled this year which will cause his stock to slip. I think he could be an average NFL starter.