Todd McShay, Sean McDonough discuss realistic NFL projection for Stetson Bennett

The fact that he is in the draft discussion at all is something of a minor miracle, but it’s only realistic to at least consider where Stetson Bennett stands in terms of an NFL future. According to ESPN’s Todd McShay and Sean McDonough — appearing on the “Paul Finebaum Show” — quality backup is likely the best, realistic outcome for Bennett at the next level.

Granted, that’s impressive on in its own right considering a year ago, Bennett was a former walk-on just taking over the starting job for Georgia. A calendar year later and he looks more the part of a playable NFL quarterback.

“This year’s class, I’ve said it before: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis. Those are the clear-cut, top guys. You’re drafting them, giving them $25, $30, $35 million guaranteed in their first contract, to be your starter,” McShay said. “All these other guys we’re talking about, it’s either potential — Anthony Richardson, Tyler Van Dyke — or can they be great backups for us that maybe one or two of these guys develop in to a good starter.”

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Bennett has worked his way into the quality backup sphere with his improved play and physical stature to start the 2022 season. Some of Bennett’s rising draft profile can be chalked up to playing on an absurdly talented offense with plenty of surefire NFL prospects — hello, Brock Bowers — and making easy passes and reads to let the pass catchers and running backs do the work.

McShay relayed an NFL scout who acknowledged as much while still highlight how Bennett is an improved player from last year.

“And he said, ‘Watching his first few weeks, and I know he has so much more talent around him than the opponent, but he’s playing different. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s more aggressive, he’s more decisive.’ He said ‘I haven’t seen him live yet, but it looks like the ball has a little more juice to it,'” McShay said, relaying the scouts evaluation. “So I love players like that, who have kind of fought all of the adversity, have overcome everything.”

McDonough offered his assessment, pointing out Bennett does seem to have ticked up his arm a bit while wondering if it would still be enough.

“As you know better than anybody, you gotta have enough zip,” McDonough said. “The windows get a lot smaller. When Stetson Bennett gets to the NFL, [Kenny] McIntosh and Bowers and those guys aren’t running free all over the place. The windows are tight, there’s very little separation. So, yeah, I think the question to me that he needed to answer is the arm strength part of it and I agree with you, I think he has a little bit more on the ball than we’ve seen in the past.”