Most ‘Josh Allen Like’ in the 2024 NFL Draft: Rocky Lombardi

First Round Mock’s William Yanish takes an interesting look at a prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft he is fascinated with, Northern Illinois University’s Rocky Lombardi

The draft evaluation process is broken, which helps to explain why the San Francisco 49ers traded the farm to land quarterback (QB) Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Lance now plays left bench for the Dallas Cowboys.

After being viewed as the biggest draft day bust in league history, Lance was dealt to ‘America’s Team,’ in exchange for a lone fourth-round draft choice.

Who was Lance replaced with?

Mr. Irrelevant

That’s the name ‘affectionately’ given to the last player selected in the draft. QB Brock Purdy was that guy in the 2022 draft. The same guy who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl this past season.

It happens year after year. Bust, bust, bust, rinse and repeat. Mainstream media overhypes prospects for whatever reason (if you don’t believe me go to nflmockdraftdatabase.com and type in the names and see for yourself).

Click click click.

How’s this for a thought…GAME FILM. Let’s base draft opinions on GAME FILM. Take away these QBs ‘names,’ who their coach is, and what college they went to. Everything must go. Then and only then can we separate the QBs and who translates best from the college ranks to the pro game based on the GAME FILM.

Background

LOMBARDI FULL OFFICIAL BIO

In 2021, his first season at NIU, Lombardi led the second-youngest roster in the country to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship. He rushed for three touchdowns in a convincing win over Kent State, 41-23. Not too shabby after NIU lost every game (0-6), before Lombardi’s arrival, in 2020.

I’m going to be saying this until my hair turns gray, this Northern Illinois QB has everything it takes to succeed in the NFL.

It’s baffling Lombardi wasn’t invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

Some of these QBs who are invited don’t even end up doing the drills, tests, or throwing the ball at the event. Let someone else participate then.

Lombardi is like scratching the surface of a winning lottery ticket. Every time you scratch off a little more, more numbers match.

He’s 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds. An ex-wrestler, who’s built like a tank. This QB is smart too.

The physical traits are obvious, but what’s inside will make the difference.

PRO DAY NUMBERS

The Yanish Report

Lombardi is the most Buffalo Bills’ QB Josh Allen-like prospect since… Josh Allen. However, Lombardi has a supremely softer touch than Allen.

Physical attributes: ✅

Mechanics: ✅

Arm talent: ✅

Clutch factor: ✅

Football IQ: ✅

Awareness: ✅

Intangibles: ✅

Heart: ✅

I have done the work and watched every one of Lombardi’s snaps that is available to the public.

For the win

This is my third and final Lombardi evaluation. The first two were:

These links also back link to more of the game film. I don’t write anything that doesn’t link back to the game film when it comes to evaluations.

I have a request…

Will someone on a major mainstream draft platform please look at the film I’ve provided in this and previous evaluations of Lombardi and let everyone know what they think of him?

To me, Lombardi is one of the most complete football players I’ve ever witnessed. This is a man who could come in and lead a team to the Super Bowl.

LOMBARDI COLLEGE STATS

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: Third-Round

2021 Game film evidence:

Coastal Carolina

2023:

Boston College

Southern Illinois

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.