Top 5 Potential “Wild Cat” Quarterbacks in the 2009 Draft Class

The NFL goes through many fazes: the 3-4 defense, the 46 defense, the Cover Two, the Shotgun, spread formation, and so on down the line. But seldom has one team used a formation on offense that sparked a revolution for NFL teams across the board.

On Sunday, September 21, 2008, the Miami Dolphins used the now-famous Wild Cat formation, borrowed from the University of Arkansas, to defeat the Super Bowl runner-up New England Patriots. Miami was prolific that day, rushing for 216 yards and 4 touchdowns while passing for 245 yards and another touchdown. Ronnie Brown, a running back, used his role in the new formation to score all of those touchdowns (passing for the only aerial score of the day) and to completely confound the Pats. That day, the Dolphins showed the rest of the league how to run the offense, and it took off like wild fire.

Most teams use a wide receiver or a tailback to run this for this formation, but I think that using a good collegiate quarterback with the ability to run would be just as effective. It would not only open up the passing game from the formation, but also allow for the young player to garner experience on the field.

So here are the top 5 candidates for that role, and what spot they will be drafted in.

1.) Pat White, West Virginia, 6-0, 197 lbs

Pat White was a great college QB, throwing for 5,576 yards and 52 touchdowns in 4 seasons at WVU. But the NFL thinks he is too small to play that spot. I politely disagree. He will be an effective Wild Cat player and will one day develop into a starting NFL QB. I guarantee it. Look for the Dolphins and perhaps the Eagles or the Cowboys to target this guy in Round 2.

2.) Chase Daniel, Missouri, 6-0, 218 lbs

Chase Daniel has been written off as an NFL QB because he is small and lacks ideal arm strength. But any team that brings this guy in will find a gamer who has athleticism, accuracy, and play-making ability. Look for him in the 5th-FA area of the draft and think of him as the ideal Wild Cat trigger man.

3.) Chase Clement, Rice, 6-1, 208 lbs

This guy is a true dual-threat QB who ran the spread offense at Rice. He rushed for 1,741 yards and 25 touchdowns during his time at Rice, and he threw for an astonishing 44 touchdowns with only 7 picks to the tune of 4,119 yards aerially in 2008. Clement runs a 4.6 40 yard dash, so he could switch to receiver and get noticed, but why do that when he could put his great passing ability to good use? Look for him to sign as a free agent with some team and show off his athletic ability in the Wild Cat set.

4.) Brian Johnson, Utah, 6-1, 211 lbs

Johnson led his team in a BCS Bowl win against Alabama as a senior, and his accuracy and leadership had much to do with that win. As a senior, he completed 68% of his passes and threw 27 touchdowns with only 9 picks. Brian lacks ideal size for an NFL QB, so naturally, he will not be drafted. But if he makes it to an NFL team, he can show off his leadership ability and make up for lost time on the college football stage.

5.) Bobby Reid, Texas Southern, 6-3, 235 lbs

It’s crazy to believe that this guy once ran an offense at Oklahoma State that averaged 39 points per game. But after the whole affair with Coach Mike Gundy and the screaming at reporters, Reid bolted for Texas Southern to rebuild his career. He is extremely athletic. This guy is a no risk, minimal reward type of signing. If he plays well as the Wild Cat trigger man, maybe he could also play the 2nd or 3rd QB spot, or play on special teams like Matt Gutierrez did for the Patriots in 2007. If he doesn’t, he gets cut like everyone expected anyway.