Curtis Painter QB 6'3 225 Purdue 4.99

Painter gained some valuable experience as a freshman, completing 52.3% of his passes for 932 yards, and a 3/5 TD to INT ratio. As a sophomore, he threw for a school record 3,985 yards, while completing just under 60% of his passes for 22 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Painter continued to shred opposing defenses as a junior, completing a career high 62.6% of his passes for 3,846 yards and 29 TD’s to just 11 picks. Painter took a step back in his final season for the Boilermakers. He threw for 2,400 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 picks, while completing just under 60% of his passes.

Strengths

Painter is a very good pocket passer that has shown the ability to sling the football all over the field, racking up amazing numbers in the process. He has a strong frame and the toughness to sit in the pocket until his man gets open. Painter also shows a very good arm, and should not have any problems getting the ball to his receivers at the NFL level. He also has a knack for being able to elude the rush and buy time to make things happen.

Weaknesses

The big issue with Painter is the issue all Purdue QB’s face, and that is the system. It is favorable to posting very good stats for the QB, but more importantly, has the QB lining up in shotgun formation. Painter will need to learn to take the snap from under center, and learn to start reading the action dropping back instead of getting the ball in position to see the entire field. The progress he displayed as a junior was halted as a senior, where he looked more like he did during his first two years in the program. He was getting flustered in the pocket and forcing bad throws down the field.

Future

Painter was arguably the top senior QB entering the season but like his main competition for that title, Cullen Harper, he struggled. He took a step back and is now a late round pick at best. He has some tools to develop so someone may take a flyer on him but Painter has a tough road ahead of him and will have a long wait on draft day.