INDIANAPOLIS — In one sense, Steven Montez came along two years too late.
The Colorado quarterback would have fit in well with the QB class of 2018, when the “Big Four” took turns answering questions as to whether they were the best.
“I’m the most accurate quarterback in this draft by far,’’ said Baker Mayfield at his 2018 NFL Combine media interview session. “I think I’m the best quarterback here,” said Josh Rosen.
“Yeah, absolutely,’’ said Josh Allen when asked if he thought he was the best quarterback in the draft. “I don’t mean to say that in a cocky way, but I think every quarterback should think that. If you’re not thinking that you’re the best quarterback in this draft, you probably shouldn’t be here.’’
Sam Darnold was the only member of the Big Four who deferred.
“I don’t think that’s up for me to decide,’’ he said.
As it turned out, none of the Big Four was the best. That distinction belonged to Lamar Jackson, the fifth QB drafted who spent his combine press conference explaining several different ways why he’s a quarterback and not a receiver.
Montez arrived at the 2020 Combine with a second draft day skill set and third day production. He did extremely well in the QB athletic drills here Thursday, especially in the 40-yard dash where he tied projected first-round pick Justin Herbert for the third-fastest time at 4.68 seconds.
Montez was also top seven among quarterbacks in the vertical jump, broad jump, cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. And he would add that’s not the best of him.
“Two things, my knowledge of the game of football and then my arm strength,’’ he said at his press conference. “I think I have the biggest arm in the draft, point-blank, period.”
For all his tools, Montez was wildly inconsistent at CU, posting 5-7, 5-7 and 5-7 records in his three seasons as a starter.
He threw three touchdowns with no interceptions in a victory against Cal as a sophomore, and threw three interceptions in a loss to Cal as a junior.
His first college win as a starter was at Oregon as a freshman when he threw three touchdown passes. He threw four picks with no touchdowns in a loss to Oregon as a senior.
To Montez’s credit, he admits to his mistakes and inconsistency – without sacrificing his extreme confidence.
“In my opinion, I think I have all the arm talent in the world,’’ Montez said. “I can make every single throw on the football field but what made me inconsistent was my footwork and was my feet. My feet were so inconsistent that it was hard for me to have the same stroke every time.’’
He has been working in California with noted QB guru Jordan Palmer – who also trained Darnold and Allen entering their rookie seasons.
“That is something that me and Jordan have been working hard on this off-season and just trying to get those feet in the ground and make sure I stay balanced,’’ Montez said. “Jordan calls it, “keeping all your cleats in the ground,’ and not getting on your heels and not getting on your toes. Just trying to stay balanced.’’
Montez did display a strong arm at the Combine. He also demonstrated top-shelf athleticism, especially given his nice size at 6-foot-4, 231. So far, Montez’ talent hasn’t quite matched up with his play. But there is something there for an NFL team to work with, including enough humility to learn and give thanks.
“I think my combination of athleticism, arm strength, accuracy and know of the game, I mean you put all those things together and how can you not be on an NFL roster,’’ he said. “At the end of the day I’m just really excited for the opportunity to be here. Like I said earlier it is something I dreamed about my whole life. I’m extremely grateful and blessed. I had a lot of people help me out to get to where I am today. It wasn’t just all me the whole time.’’
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