2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

PLAYER PROFILE

Height: 6-2

Weight: 221

College: Clemson

Class: Junior

SIZE/PHYSICAL TRAITS — 4/5

ARM STRENGTH/VELOCITY — 12/15

ACCURACY/BALL PLACEMENT 18.75/25

Pretty good general short-to-intermediate accuracy
Deep accuracy (20+ yards) is highly inconsistent; typically sails deep throws, occasionally underthrows targets
Solid accuracy on the move
Ball placement on intermediate and deep throws can be very spotty
Over-the-middle throws like slants and crossers are oftentimes thrown a little behind the target, which forces receivers to break stride and adjust
Good timing — gets ball out on schedule
Very good at throwing the back-shoulder fade
Struggles with accuracy vs. pressure (36% catchable pass rating when pressured)
47% completion percentage on passes 15+ yards down the field
Balls get batted down at line of scrimmage a lot (13 times in 2016)

MECHANICS — 4/5

MENTAL PROCESSING — 13.5/20

Very good at identifying favorable matchups pre-snap
Displays limited ability to read the field (almost exclusively half-field reads, vast majority of throws are to first read)
Shows some ability to move defenders with his eyes
Struggles to recognize zone coverage, doesn’t see lurking zone defenders underneath
Sometimes misses wide open receivers underneath
Stares down receivers more than you’d like
Shows some ability to throw receivers open, anticipate throwing windows
Forces too many throws into double, sometimes triple coverage
College system featured many predetermined reads, didn’t have to make as many decisions on his own/outside of the structure

POCKET PRESENCE — 12/15

Very good pocket awareness
Has a good feel for when and how to move in the pocket to avoid the rush
Does a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield when he’s forced to maneuver within the pocket or escape
Calm demeanor in the face of pass rush
Will bail out of clean pockets at times

MOBILITY — 4.5/5

Legitimate dual-threat (ran 4.66 in the 40-yard dash); can be utilized on designed runs
Good speed, elusiveness, vision, and instincts as a runner
Very good at extending plays outside the pocket with his feet

INTANGIBLES — 10/10

2.5-year starter
32-3 career record
Led his team to two consecutive national championship games and won one of them
Excellent football and personal character
Great leadership skills
Mental and physical toughness — played through torn ACL as a freshman; doesn’t get rattled by mistakes
Intelligent and hardworking — graduated with Bachelor’s in Communication in three years
Clutch factor — plays his best when the stakes are highest and the spotlight shines the brightest

TOTAL GRADE: 78.75/100.00 – (EARLY) DAY 2 – complimentary starter or raw player with star potential

NFL COMPARISON: (Rich Man’s) Tyrod Taylor

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