I had read a couple pre-draft profiles that pegged him as the most likely QB to be a starter during his rookie year.
So "everyone" knew he'd be great, lol. Probably both articles by the same writer. He was the one player I was hoping for in that draft.
Others projected 5th round or maybe even UDFA, on account of his height. I figured Hawks would be able to take him in the 3rd round.
I recall a picture of Schneider and Carroll at the combine, and who was in the background of the picture but RW3.
Most likely starter in a draft that included Andrew Luck?
Many people thought VERY highly of Russ pre- draft. On this board, it was almost nauseating. I remember joking on a number of people's mocks that it had apparently become illegal to make a mock that doesn't have us landing him in the fifth or sixth round.
There were certainly things to like. It was clearly nowhere near consensus nationally that he'd be great though. People claim Kiper ripped the pick, but I thought it was pretty complimentary. Basically what he said was that nobody with Russ's measurables has ever been a franchise QB, but if anyone was going to make it work, it'd be him. He had to do something that hadnt been done before.
He was the guy everyone wanted late, but nobody wanted to gamble on too early.