Zach Mettenberger has gone from being the best "late-round" quarterback option to getting red flagged just 24 hours before the upcoming NFL Draft. Many teams in need of a future star have targeted the former LSU quarterback as someone who could develop into being the face of a franchise in a few years. However, a failed drug test and back issues have put that into question.
Mettenberger had been wowing NFL scouts during pre-draft visits. The quarterback ended his college career with a torn ACL, but appears to be well on his way to full health as he has not been held to any restrictions during team workouts. Numerous teams have pegged him as an option to develop behind a veteran already in place, but his stock has taken a hit lately.
Mettenberger was part of a group that reportedly failed drug tests at the NFL Combine. The quarterback was found to have a diluted sample. His agent stressed that Mettenberger was merely following doctor's orders to hydrate heavily in order to recover from ACL surgery. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported that Mettenberger claimed to have serious cramping during recovery and the hydration was supposed to help. The failed drug test will certainly raise eyebrows no matter what the reasoning is.
On top of that issue. Mettenberger has been medically red flagged after getting diagnosed with a back issue called spondylolysis. The condition will reportedly not need surgery and was simply something that flared up during the 2012 season. LSU trainer Jack Marucci to NFL.com that Mettenberger was fully healthy and these reports were merely a smear campaign against the quarterback to hurt his draft stock. So has it hurt interest from teams?
The Oakland Raiders might no longer be looking at Mettenberger. NFL sources say Reggie McKenzie is looking at these reports as a final strike against the quarterback. The Raiders are favoring a late-round quarterback over one with their first overall pick and the general manager does not want a player that has been seriously injured or posted any sort of red flags.
The Baltimore Ravens remain an option. NFL.com is reporting that team has looked at every aspect of Mettenberger's game and believe he can develop into a real star that might be able to replace Joe Flacco one day. The Kansas City Chiefs are saying the same thing. The team will be in the market for a quarterback to backup Alex Smith and eventually replace him and Chiefs like what they see in Mettenberger regardless of the reports that have surfaced.
While the failed drug test is certainly a concern, the lower back issue is likely just draft talk. Mettenberger showed no signs of injury in his final season before hurting his knee so teams likely will not put that into consideration when it comes time to draft a quarterback.