Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden knows a thing or two about evaluating rookie passers.
So when Gruden mentions Cam Newton in the same sentence as Dwayne Haskins, heads are bound to turn.
Gruden did just that while chronicling the draft process at quarterback, according to MMQB’s Albert Breer:
“They’re all pretty confident kids, bright-eyed. I was impressed with the entire class,” Gruden said. “But [Haskins] has a demeanor and aura about him, kind of similar to Cam Newton coming out, just an aura of confidence. There’s something about him. When you’re around him, you feel like he’s got it, everything’s going to be O.K.—that he’s going to be successful, because he believes it.”
It’s quite the noteworthy nod of approval for Haskins, though it isn’t too unexpected based on how the Redskins have targeted captains and players with high marks in the leadership column.
Gruden has particular experience with that 2011 class though because he played a role in getting Andy Dalton to Cincinnati via the second round.
The Redskins were considering the second round or otherwise this year too — but they clearly won’t complain about Haskins in the first.
