Dan Pompei

If Tim Tebow becomes to the NFL what Tim Tebow was to college football, move over Peyton Manning.

But there aren’t many NFL front office men who believe Tebow can become an elite NFL passer. There are some who absolutely love the Florida quarterback as a football player. And it’s not out of the question that he can be a first-round pick because all it takes is one team to rate him as one.

But the consensus on Tebow — based on conversations with numerous talent evaluators — is that selecting him high will be a risky move. In fact, Tebow is not considered among the top three quarterbacks in the 2010 draft at this point even though most probably consider him the best college quarterback.

The top-rated quarterback prospects are Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford (assuming he checks out medically) and Washington’s Jake Locker and Florida State’s Christian Ponder (assuming the juniors come out early). Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen and Texas’ Colt McCoy probably would be in the second tier.

Tebow, though, is the most fascinating. One AFC general manager suggests he would be more comfortable drafting him as an H-back. An NFC college scouting director said Tebow would make a great fullback.

Slideshow   Early entrants? Taking a look at some of the juniors from around the country that could be entering the 2010 NFL Draft. NBC Sports

But Tebow isn’t going to play anything but quarterback. Why isn’t he considered an ideal quarterback?

Because he mostly is a runner at Florida who works almost exclusively out of the shotgun. “He makes more plays with his feet than his arm,” the GM said. “And he has such a low carriage of the ball in the pocket that he has a long release. He is not a prototype quarterback.”

Whoever drafts Tebow will need to have a special offense in place to take advantage of what he does best. He isn’t going to fit in a West Coast offense.

“If you get him you are going to design your offense to suit him,” said an AFC personnel director. “Whoever gets him, you’re going to see a lot of play action, probably a lot of quarterback runs, some Wildcat-type stuff. You probably won’t see a lot of downfield stuff initially.”

Tebow won’t be able to make a living as a runner in the NFL. No quarterback can because the defenders are so much bigger, faster and stronger than they are in college. Eventually, it catches up to quarterbacks who can’t pass.

It also doesn’t help Tebow that he’s a lefty. Many offensive coordinators can’t warm up to left-handed quarterbacks because their offenses are set up for righties.

The team that drafts Tebow also will need a quarterback guru in place who believes he can work with Tebow’s mechanics and refine his passes. “If you think you can work with his throwing motion, you’re going to love everything else — scrambling ability, leadership, work ethic, size, strength, running ability,” the AFC personnel director said.

Tebow has some advantages over every other draft prospect. “He may not be the best quarterback, but he may be the best football player in the country, and the best competitor,” the GM said.

Tebow and the 2010 NFL draft Getty Images Pompei: Tim’s a physical freak, but is he ready for the NFL?   What round will he be drafted? Johnston: Get ready for a mass exodus of college stars   PFTV: How upcoming labor negotions will affect the draft Evan Silva’s 1st-round mock draft   Slideshow: Juniors who may enter the draft

At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Tebow has the stature to play linebacker. The NFC scouting director said Tebow is as strong as a linebacker, and he can shake off hits.

Tebow does not fit into any mold for a quarterback. Is he like Vince Young? Michael Robinson? Michael Vick? Not really.

“The guys who end up being good players in the NFL are the guys who are physical freaks,” the AFC personnel director said. “He’s a physical freak. And I think Tebow is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Colts, Saints not about to lose now   PFTV: Can the Saints go 16-0 this season?   Video: Saints ‘trying to give back,’ Brees says   Fantasy Fix: Time to give up on Cutler? PFT: Saints’ Bush, Ellis out vs. Bucs PFT: Holmgren back to Seahawks in front office? Polamalu could miss three games PFT: Shanahan interested in Cowboys, Redskins, Texans? PFT: Roddy White will play for Giants PFT: Hurting Giants lose LB Pierce indefinitely NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: