PLAYER PROFILE
Height: 6-4
Weight: 226
College: UCLA
Class: Junior
TRAITS BREAKDOWN
SIZE/PHYSICAL TRAITS (5/5)
- Ideal height (6-4) and solid bulk (226 lbs.) for the position
- Large hands (9 7/8″)
ARM STRENGTH (12/15)
- Can make 55-60 yard throws in stride
- Adequate-to-good velocity at all levels of the field
- Adequate velocity on drive throws; deep outs and comebacks
ACCURACY/BALL PLACEMENT (21.25/25)
- Very good accuracy/ball placement on short and intermediate throws (72% catchable percentage on 0-10 yard throws; 76% catchable percentage on 11-19 yard throws)
- Can throw a beautiful deep ball, but somewhat of an inconsistent downfield thrower
- Excellent middle-of-the-field passer; attacks MOF fearlessly and routinely threads the ball into tiny windows
- Adequate accuracy on the move when rolling to either side
- Able to make accurate throws from a variety of throwing platforms and arm angles
- Has displayed feathery soft touch at each level of the field
- 58% catchable pass percentage vs pressure (per @NFLFilmStudy)
- 65% catchable pass rating on 3rd and 4th downs (per @NFLFilmStudy)
- 56% 3rd and 4th down conversion rate (per @NFLFilmStudy)
MENTAL PROCESSING (16/20)
- Full-field reader who routinely cycles through progressions at a quick rate
- Great eye manipulation — adept at looking off second and third level defenders to create throwing lanes
- Makes own checks and adjustments at the line of scrimmage
- Good anticipation — regularly throws receivers open
- Good blitz recognition — knows when to throw “hot”
- Needs to dial back the “hero” ball — will force some ill-advised throws at times when the pocket gets messy and he’s unable to throw from a clean platform
- Needs to be more careful with throwaway passes and understand when to take sacks
- Can be too willing to attempt risky big plays when a checkdown will suffice to extend the possession
MECHANICS (5/5)
- Quick, compact throwing motion
- Smooth footwork in the pocket; always in a balanced throwing position
- Resets feet when forced to maneuver within the pocket
- Very comfortable with drop footwork (3-, 5-, and 7-step)
- Able to expedite delivery without compromising base or throwing motion
- Typically maintains sound mechanics when faced with pressure
POCKET PRESENCE (13.5/15)
- Good pocket mobility — climbs to avoid backside pressure and sidesteps to maintain the integrity of the pocket
- Keeps eyes downfield at all times when forced to maneuver within the pocket or escape outside of the pocket
- Good pocket awareness — generally feels pressure well and maneuvers accordingly
MOBILITY (3/5)
- Not a scrambler
- Functional athlete (ran 4.92 in the 40)
- Decent mobility outside of the pocket, but lacks great escapability
- Can pick up small chunks of yardage with legs when needed
INTANGIBLES (9/10)
- 2.5-year starter
- Confidence/poise — never seems to get rattled; led huge comeback win against Texas A&M in week 1 of the 2017 season
- Mental and physical toughness — willing to stand in the pocket and take hits; bounces back well from mistakes
- Athletic pedigree — parents were national gold medal ice dancers
- Multi-sport athlete — nationally ranked tennis player in middle school
- Very intelligent
- Will be just 21 on draft day
- Refined mechanics and quick recognition of coverages suggest high work ethic and attention to detail
- Questions about maturity, outspokenness and leadership
DURABILITY (-1)
- Missed final six games of 2016 season due to shoulder injury
- Missed two games in 2017 due to concussions
VERDICT
NFL COMPARISON: Matt Ryan/Eli Manning
GRADE: 83.75/100.00 — 1ST ROUND — Good player with Pro Bowl potential
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