Height: 6’2″
Weight: 211 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.81 (official)

NFL Comparison: Poor man’s Colin Kaepernick

Scouting Notes:

Don’t feel too bad if this is the first time you’re hearing about Bennett. He played at a small school for only two seasons after all, and if we hadn’t covered the Senior Bowl so extensively where Bennett was a late-add, he might have escaped us as well. A former Oregon backup who changed schools after losing out starting duties to one Marcus Mariota (Phil Savage calls him ‘Mariota Jr.’) Bennett spent his final two seasons leading Southeastern Louisiana in rushing and passing yds before entering this year’s draft. A natural athlete, Bennett has quick feet, and he’s a threat to take the ball and run on every play. When he does throw, Bennett has great touch, if not a massive arm, and he operates well under pressure. On occasion he does overthrow the ball, which I guess is better than throwing it short into coverage. He overthrew the football consistently at the Senior Bowl and was inaccurate badly at times. Bennett possesses acute pocket awareness, which should help him transition in the NFL from the option style offense he ran in college. At times, he’s a bit too quick to abandon the pass, forgoing his reads preemptively. That worked for him in the FCS, but he isn’t quick enough to do that so successfully in the NFL. We worry most about his inability to separate himself during a week of practice at the Senior Bowl from a very mediocre group at the position.

 

Fantasy Outlook:

Due to his non-disastrous Senior Bowl and capable showing at the combine, Bennett has a sneaky chance to be drafted within the first three-to-four rounds. His game is similar to Mariota’s, so perhaps a team who misses out the Oregon standout will take a chance on the guy he beat out for the starting job. Fantasy-wise, I always love QBs who can run the ball, as they generally have a higher floor. Should Bennett work his way under center his first season, his feet will provide instant fantasy production- think a poor man’s Kaepernick. For this reason I think Bennett is worth a speculative add in dynasty leagues, if he lands on a team where he can compete for the starting job.