2021 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - QUARTERBACK

Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:

QB #1: TREVOR LAWRENCE, CLEMSON TIGERS

Height: 6’6”.   Weight: 220lbs

PRO’S: Generational talent. One of the cleanest prospects to enter the NFL. Ideal pro size with a cannon for an arm. Elite pocket presence, able to make subtle movements to stay clean and manipulate throwing lanes. Ultra calm in the pocket, staying patient and waiting for routes to develop. Excellent accuracy at all levels of the field both in the pocket and on the move. Throws with anticipation, leading the receiver so they don’t break stride. Smart and intuitive passer who knows when to gun it in and when to put some touch on his ball - there’s not a throw in any situation he cannot make. Excellent athleticism; thrived in scripted runs and able to scramble away from danger and create plays. Tough - will get the hard yards and finish his runs with physicality, and isn’t afraid to take a lick to deliver the football. Clean, tight throwing motion and can adjust arm angles to make difficult throws under duress. Consummate professional, true team leader and teammate galvaniser. Battle-tested; 40 games at Clemson against some of the toughest competition out there, with playoff appearances in each year. Quite simply, Lawrence is a star.

CON’S: Minor consistency issues with accuracy; a play or two will get away from him. Not averse to throwing an interception, with 17 on his resume in three years at Clemson. Will linear frame be vulnerable to big hits at the next level? And how much did his elite supporting cast elevate his game?

SIMON CARROLL: “Trying to find issues with Trevor Lawrence’s game is difficult; he’s as perfect a prospect as you can find for a quarterback in today’s NFL. There’s not a hint of rawness to his game, and he arrives at the pro level with as polished a skillset as many ten year starters in the league. The size, athleticism, arm strength, poise, character, pocket presence, accuracy, winning mentality - it’s quite simply all there. Questions of him being a product of his environment fade away when you see him creating something out of nothing outside the pocket, and whilst Jacksonville will want to protect their prized asset i’m sure Urban Meyer won’t mind leaving some college concepts in the playbook to give him the platform to produce the big plays. A high floor, high ceiling prospect, it’s fair to say with as much confidence as possible that Lawrence will be a multiple All-Pro franchise QB for the next two decades.”

NFL COMPARISON: ANDREW LUCK

PROJECTION: #1 OVERALL PICK

QB #2: JUSTIN FIELDS, OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 223lbs

PRO’S: Mobile quarterback with elite arm strength and excellent accuracy throwing on the move. Compact, well-built frame that will withstand the brutality of the NFL inside or outside the pocket. Easy mover behind the line, with deft footwork to manipulate the pocket and avoid the heat. Tough as they come - countless examples of him taking the hit to deliver the ball, will fight for yardage on the move, and has battled through injury to stay on the field and lead his team. Excellent execution of mobile-QB plays such as RPO’s or play action where he can utilise his elite athleticism; an excellent blend of power and speed that will cause defenders issues on designed runs or QB scrambles. Doesn’t overly rely on his mobility, and will look to stay in the pocket for as long as possible if the play dictates. A winner - didn’t lose one game as The Buckeyes’ QB outside of the college football playoffs.

CON’S: Has a tendency to loiter in the pocket for too long, waiting for his receivers to come open. Working through his progressions is sometimes tardy, whereby he lingers on his first read hoping for it to develop. Showed a lack of awareness of the rush coming off the edge against the better defenses. Absolutely fearless throwing deep - an admirable trait but has come unstuck when hitting the seams, sometimes not seeing the safety.

SIMON CARROLL: “Justin Fields is a stud. It’s that simple. He has everything required to be a high calibre starting quarterback in the NFL. He’s got the arm, smarts, and athleticism to be a danger in every facet the position demands. The ultimate competitor, Fields was ridiculously overlooked by Georgia in favour of Jake Fromm, yet instead of heading to a school a tier down for guaranteed starting time, went to Ohio State - a program battling yearly for a spot in the college football playoffs. And he thrived - a perfect Big Ten record, and was dominant in the Buckeyes’ upset of Clemson this year, upstaging Trevor Lawrence. Fields has the ideal skillset for the modern game, flourishing in an RPO, QB-mobile offense where he can make quick reads, use a lot of play action and either get the ball out fast or tuck it and run. The time in the pocket and awareness of danger is a common flaw for quarterbacks of his ilk - if he was too skittish and took off all the time we’d be slating him for not standing tough. They’re minor flaws that an NFL team will happily live with. In my mind he’s better than Zach Wilson - or certainly has a higher floor anyway - and despite undeserved, stereotypical narratives being thrown out there I cannot see him falling outside the top five.”

NFL COMPARISON: CAM NEWTON

PROJECTION: TOP FIVE PICK

QB #3: ZACH WILSON, BYU COUGARS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Playmaking, confident quarterback who can make all the throws and has no problem going off-script to deliver the football. Showed tremendous growth in his final season in Provo,  racking up huge numbers (3,692 yards, 33 TD’s, just 3 interceptions) as he led BYU to an outstanding season where they flirted with the college football playoffs. Huge arm; can make every throw from every conceivable angle, and is adept at contorting his throwing motion to avoid traffic and get the ball where it needs to be. Doesn’t need to set his feet, and can deliver the football off-platform even if he’s throwing across his body. Unbelievable accuracy on deep balls, able to split the safety and corner consistently. Elite field vision; goes through his progressions rapidly and effectively. Intuitive in the pocket, showing a feel for pressure and can make the modest positional adjustments to counter. Big time playmaker, able to extend plays and routinely find a target when all hope looks lost. Has scrambling ability, and will break the pocket and move the chains with his legs if necessary.

CON’S: Sometimes over eager to make the big play, when taking what he can get might be more prudent on occasion. His base when throwing the football is intermittently a little wide, and if he corrected that he could get even more juice on his throws. Seems too keen to break the pocket and throw on the move which might cause protection issues and irritate offensive coordinators who run systems reliant on strict schemes. Elite production in just his final year at college, and it came behind an outstanding offensive line and against a lower standard of competition than some of his peers - Wilson is 2-4 against ranked opposition in his BYU career.

SIMON CARROLL: Zach Wilson oozes composure and confidence, and his magnetic demeanour gives his teammates total confidence that, no matter the situation, he will come up with the goods. And in 2020 he did exactly that - a meteoric ‘Burrow-esque’ rise as BYU had an excellent season against a rather tricky and unpredictable COVID backdrop. His pro day showed that, regardless whether you consider him a ‘one year wonder’ he has all the traits you look for in a franchise Quarterback. His tendency to throw the script out the window and make his own magic is a double-edged sword; whilst it undoubtedly highlights his insane playmaking skills, it will likely be less effective at the next level and leave him more exposed against NFL defenses. There’s just the faintest whiff of bust about Wilson that makes me prefer Fields as the safer prospect, but the ceiling for this kid is off the charts. It’s no doubt risky to compare him as such, but there are definite Patrick Mahomes vibes here.”

NFL COMPARISON: PATRICK MAHOMES

PROJECTION: TOP 5 PICK

QB #4: TREY LANCE, NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 224lbs

PRO’S: Intelligent dual threat quarterback who had as perfect a season as you could imagine in 2019. Ideal build for a mobile QB; thick lower half that looks durable as well as powerful. Big arm when he uncorks it - made every throw asked of him at North Dakota State. Excellent pocket mobility and alertness; great feel for pressure and can move around the pocket easily and reset to make the throw. Will hang in there and not accelerate his release, with a confidence he can use his legs to escape danger if need be. Devastating scrambling ability to turn plays that are perfectly defended into first downs. Demonstrates elite football IQ - knows his opponent’s tendencies inside out, appreciates where the danger lies and adjusts his decision based on the development of said dangers each play. Able to adjust on the fly rather than stick to a bad script. Ultra-safe with the football; had just one interception in 19 college games (17 starts), and had a pick-free season in 2019 where the Bison went undefeated and claimed the FCS National Title.

CON’S: Accuracy showed some slight inconsistencies, and has failed to lead his receiver on occasion. Very small body of work - just one full season as a starter, playing against a lower standard of competition in a run-focused offense; Lance broached 23 passing attempts in a game just twice. Sometimes nervous to pull the trigger, and fails to show that gunslinger mentality when a throw is there to be made. Instead, Lance will hold fire knowing that, if all else fails, he can bolt the pocket and pickup yardage with his feet. Slightly elongated and low throwing motion could leave him susceptible to fumbles when delivering the football. 

SIMON CARROLL: “Trey Lance will be just 20 years old on draft day, yet his mental processing and understanding of the game would have you believe he’s a ten year NFL veteran. The intangibles he brings to the position are elite: unrivalled film room work ethic, leadership on the field, pre-snap recognition of what the defense are doing - it’s all there. Then throw in the traits; Good size, big arm and elite athleticism, and you have yourself a high calibre quarterback prospect with immense upside. The concerns are valid - 17 starts at the FCS level would make it a huge leap to NFL standards for any normal prospect. But I would argue that the ‘he needs time to develop’ narrative is lazy and doesn’t take into account how prepared he is every time he steps foot on a football field. He’s likely a top ten pick and those guys don’t tend to get the luxury of holding a clipboard; if a team needs him to start they’ll build a game for him that highlights his athleticism whilst he acclimates to the step up in speed.”

NFL COMPARISON: JOSH ALLEN
PROJECTION: TOP 10 PICK

QB #5: MAC JONES, ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 217lbs

PRO’S: Instinctual, anticipatory Quarterback who led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. Demonstrates complete control of the offense; comfortable in a pro system changing plays at the line of scrimmage and helping to identify defensive schemes. Impressive accuracy, throwing with anticipation and leading his receiver so they don’t need to break stride. Clinical when throwing into tight spaces, showing quick decisiveness when necessary. Extremely composed under pressure and can deliver the football when being harassed; only four turnover worthy plays on 131 pressured dropbacks (per PFF). Works through his progressions well, quickly finding the open receiver and getting the ball out. Has a level of comfort in the pocket and can make the subtle movements to avoid pressure and open passing lanes. Can make all the throws at all three levels of the field.

CON’S: Underwhelming athleticism; pocket passer who doesn’t have that extra dimension to his game and won’t move the chains frequently with his legs. Focus on footwork and base when delivering the football needs improving; would enjoy much better torque though his throwing motion with a better stance when delivering the football. Brings just one full year of starter tape to the table. Ridiculously good weapons around him may have inflated his stats and performance. Arrested for a DUI as a freshman in 2017.

SIMON CARROLL: “Mac Jones is the centre of a lot of conjecture and draft talk after the 49ers moved up the board for (presumably) their future quarterback. Whilst I don’t quite have him in the same league as the four prospects above him on this list, he has a skillset that is extremely transferable to the NFL and I can understand why certain offenses may zero in on him on April 29th. He’s essentially already proven that he can operate an NFL offense against some of the best defenses the college game is able to offer. and whilst he might lack a little x factor of his peers I would argue his leadership, anticipation and safe execution give him a high floor that creative co-ordinators will appreciate. To me you want to take advantage of his quick metal processing and get him in a West coast system where he can get the ball out fast and not necessarily have to challenge a defense vertically. He’s comfortably a first round pick for me, and as a quarterback I would be shocked if he’s not gone in the first fifteen selections.”

NFL COMPARISON: MATT RYAN

PROJECTION: TOP 10 PICK

QB #6: KYLE TRASK, FLORIDA GATORS

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 239lbs

PRO’S: Thickly built pocket passer with a gunslinger mentality. Excellent accuracy on short to intermediate throws, with plus accuracy down the field too. Drastic growth in 2020 as he became more decisive and aggressive with the football - full comprehension of the playbook and willing to trust his targets more to be where they’re supposed to be on time. Works through his progressions efficiently and shows consistency choosing the right option. Removed fear from his game - utterly willing to fit the ball in gaps, none more so than between the corners and safeties, and will sit in the pocket and take a lick if it means making the throw. When he has a good base his arm shines and can challenge the deep field. Was utilised in some pro schemes and has taken the snap from under center. Showcased determination and overcoming adversity as his path to starting QB was anything but easy. Stepped up in the toughest games as a senior.

CON’S: Poor footwork and base when letting rip, losing torque and having balls die on him when hitting the deep field. Limited athleticism and rarely leaves the pocket to throw on the move or look for yardage via his legs. Struggles to break contain and extend the play by throwing on the move. Deaf to the sound of footsteps to such an extent he doesn’t feel pressure until too late. Sometimes over-aggressive, trying to fit the ball into non-existent gaps, and isn’t averse to an interception. Just the one year of elite production as a senior after a hit and miss 2019. At 23 is a slightly older prospect. Some significant injury history, having broken both feet at different stages of his Florida career.

SIMON CARROLL: “For any teams unable to maneuver into the range to take one of the top five, sure-fire first round quarterbacks in this draft, Kyle Trask may represent the best of the rest. The former Gator exploded as a senior with some serious talent around him, and whilst that might make some scouts pause for thought it should be noted that his whole mental makeup seemed to change over the course of one offseason. In a tough COVID situation Trask almost reinvented himself as a confident, aggressive pocket passer who wasn’t afraid to challenge defenses at every opportunity. Some serious coaching might need to drive out bad habits with his lower half, and a little more experience should help his decision making when it comes to choosing his moments to let it rip. But in my mind, no other day two quarterback in this class has shown the NFL traits that Trask has.”

NFL COMPARISON: JAY CUTLER

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

QB #7: KELLEN MOND, TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 205lbs

PRO’S: Athletic dual-threat quarterback who saw major improvement in performance and stats as a senior at College Station. Rhythm quarterback who has a good feel for timing of his delivery. Ultra-composed; doesn’t get rattled under duress and bounces back immediately from adversity. Stands tough in the pocket when necessary and has shown improved pocket manipulation to flow away from attention and deliver the football. Ball comes out clean with a quick motion reducing the likelihood of fumbles. Operates play action well and is just as comfortable throwing on the move as he is in the pocket. Master of the read option play - had a much better backfield to operate with in 2020 and his decision making and execution at the mesh point was impressive. Brings a little misdirection flair to the table. Quiet but commanding leader of the offense and teammates trust him. Excellent Senior Bowl performance won him some fans during the pre-draft process. 

CON’S: Inaccurate at all levels of the field, but particularly deep. Criminally fails to lead his receivers on the underneath throws, halting the offense and breaking the momentum his system is predicated on. Ball placement downfield just as inconsistent, with receivers frequently having to adjust and compete at the catch point when an accurate throw would have found them in space. Has the arm to get it there but wayward accuracy sees overthrown balls too often. Sideline throws the most affected, with completion percentage dwindling at the middle and deep levels. Reluctant to take calculated risks and push the ball downfield when a big play offers itself. Showed improvement with his progressions but works better with ha;f-field reads where his eyes can dart quicker.

SIMON CARROLL: “An ascending prospect, Kellen Mond can thank his final season and Senior Bowl as much as the demand for a QB outweighs the supply, as it does every year. He’s a hot name to see coming off the board early on day two and there’s definite traits you can hang your hat on in today’s NFL; his athleticism and the execution of a read option offense give you confidence that, whilst he is far from a complete quarterback, you can carve an offense around him. The problem is this isn’t Lamar Jackson, and the returns will be far more modest. Mond’s accuracy issues can nullify any big play opportunities the misdirection early in the play creates. That being said, he improved every season at Texas A&M and if the growth continues then you can understand a team taking a shot on him. For me, he’s a backup quarterback who might be able to hold down the fort in a pinch.”

NFL COMPARISON: TYROD TAYLOR

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

QB #8: DAVIS MILLS, STANFORD CARDINAL

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 222lbs

PRO’S: Prototypical NFL size. Big, live arm that can make all the throws, even off platform in the pocket. Polished throwing motion; ideal arm elevation with quick release and ball leaves his hand in a tight clean spiral. Excellent base when releasing the football, allowing him to drive energy through his core and add more torque onto his ball. Decisive and committed to it; little in the way of self-doubt when executing. Willing to attack the field and take big play shots with confidence. Flashes anticipation on occasion, letting rip whilst receivers are still coming out of their route stem. Composed under duress, able to reset his feet and find a receiver after avoiding the heat. Team captain with excellent leadership skills, able to instill confidence in his teammates in the toughest of situations.

CON’S: Raw. Only eleven starts at Stanford. As such, many aspects of his game require finesse; working through his progressions being the obvious one. Mills shows hastiness moving on from his first read if not obviously open. Manipulation of the pocket is still a work in progress, and he tends to try and bolt out of the pocket and away from pressure when not necessary. Subtle nuances not there yet; rarely deceives a defense or looks off a safety with his eyes. Downfield accuracy slightly inconsistent but not perturbingly so. Lack of athleticism and isn’t a threat to move the chains with his legs. Significant injury history, particularly to his left knee which required surgery at high school and was re-injured as a freshman.

SIMON CARROLL: “Davis Mills is the ‘hipsters’ favourite quarterback outside of the top five big names, and I imagine it’s down to the upside he likely possesses; a limited body of work at Stanford still showed flashes of high football IQ, a big arm and an ability to move an offense. At the very least there are areas of his game that can easily be cleaned up that will improve his game relatively quickly, but the flashes leave you hoping the ceiling is far higher than that. The problem is these moments are rare, and it is a risky projection - and when you factor in his injury history it likely caps his draft stock to a day two pick. I’m not sure anyone will be taking him thinking he’s the answer to their quarterback conundrum, but there are definite traits to work with as a developmental pocket passer who could become a starter at some point in the future.”

NFL COMPARISON: JACOB EASON

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

QB #9: JAMIE NEWMAN, GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 235lbs

PRO’S: Dual threat quarterback with plus athleticism and an arm to hit all areas of the field. Proficient operator of zone-read concepts and has the mobility to move the chains with his legs. Tough; willing to take a hit both inside and outside the pocket to make the play. Able to lower his shoulder and earn the hard yards in goalline or short yardage situations. Good size and frame to take punishment at the next level. Happy to break the pocket to try and make plays, and has shown the capability to make things happen off-script both passing and scrambling. Quick twitch decision maker; sees it, throws it. Flashes deep accuracy and has some jaw dropping plays on his resume. Plays on his toes and is sensitive to pressure to be able to step up into the pocket and maximises his time to make the throw.

CON’S: Inconsistent. Accuracy is hit and miss, particularly across the middle where he fails to lead his receiver. Inconsistent base when throwing the football leads to the majority of the accuracy issues Doesn’t throw with anticipation and needs to see it to believe it. A lack of field vision in general in that regard; routinely makes the wrong decision when throwing the ball, although on option concepts he’s capable of reading the edge and making the correct choice.. Modest yards per carry on the ground considering the athletic profile. Not the quickest through his progressions and Wake Forest gave him a diluted checkdown playbook to accommodate this, often with half-field reads or hot routes to fall back on when the primary read wasn’t there. Opted out of 2020 immediately after transferring to Georgia.

SIMON CARROLL: “After one promising full season as a starter in Winston-Salem, Jamie Newman looked to take the next step and impress NFL scouts by transferring to Georgia. The Bulldogs muddied the waters by bringing in JT Daniels as well, and with no guarantee of being QB1 and COVID playing their part, Newman ended up opting out of 2020. That leaves his progression as a prospect in some doubt, but the Wake Forest tape does give you a glimpse of the kind of quarterback you may be getting - I’m not as sold on im being a dual threat quarterback as most but he certainly has plus athleticism to scramble for first downs, and a good arm that he demonstrated in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. There’s some technique issues to clean up but it’s the mental side of the game - particularly decision making - that will worry scouts the most, and that was even after Wake limited his options. There’s more to come from Newman no doubt, but anything more than backup potential would surprise me.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

QB #10: SHANE BUECHELE, SMU MUSTANGS

Height: 6’1”.   Weight: 207lbs

PRO’S: Gunslinging quarterback who found a new lease of life after transferring from Texas to SMU, and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Demonstrates good accuracy at all depths of the field - Buechele found success operating in a quick passing rhythm offense that suited his high IQ and anticipation to deliver the football in areas of weakness in the defense. Football smarts demonstrated throughout his game; excellent timing of release, works through his progressions well, and generally makes safe decisions with the football. Re-found his confidence and showed he isn’t scared to gun it into tight windows when the opportunity presents itself. Sets his feet consistently well on every throw. Shows some mobility in being able to get out of the pocket and throw on the move, with reasonable accuracy. Immediately became captain at SMU and coaches rave about his work ethic and leadership.

CON’S: Small for an NFL quarterback with a frame that doesn’t instil a lot of confidence regarding durability. Arm strength is modest, and the ball dies or floats on him on deeper passes, particularly outside the numbers. Loses velocity and accuracy when he tries to add some extra mustard to the pass and really drive it into tight windows. Elongated throwing motion, taking a tick too long from wind up to release. Will make the odd hair brained decision when under pressure and attempt some ill-advised throw that his physical makeup would be unlikely to allow even in optimal pocket conditions. Bolts from the pocket rather than climbs it to make the play, although accuracy on the move seems as good if not better than when he sets his feet.

SIMON CARROLL: “Hailed as the next big thing when he arrived as a five star recruit in Texas, Shane Buechele suffered some adversity when injury allowed Sam Ehlinger to poach his job from him. Buechele got his second chance just up the road, with Sonny Dykes helping him find his confidence again and putting him in a very user-friendly offense to maximise his skillset. He’s a prospect that will fight for every yard and keep coming back no matter how futile the task may be, and his stats have been very impressive in Dallas; 57 touchdowns as SMU became relevant, challenged in the AAC and were even ranked on a couple of occasions the last two years. That likely doesn’t happen without Buechele, but his limited arm strength and size will make life in the NFL an uphill battle. He’s a smart, dedicated kid and  I can see him fighting for backup duties, but that’s probably his limit.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

QB #11: SAM EHLINGER, TEXAS LONGHORNS

Height: 6’2”.   Weight: 222lbs

PRO’S: Competitive, committed quarterback who is as tough as they come. Four year starter who showed excellent leadership at Texas through some tough seasons. Solid, durable frame that will withstand attention both in the pocket and on the move. Plus athleticism, and can get out of the pocket and throw on the move or scramble for first down yardage. Ultra composed in the backfield, even when everything seems on fire; quick to evaluate every scenario and always seems to have an escape hatch to get out of danger. Will take the hit to put the ball where it needs to be, and shows no hesitation lowering his shoulder when scrambling to get the extra yardage. Excellent pre-snap recognition of the defense and what they’re about to bring, and has experience altering protections and changing calls at the line of scrimmage. Adept at creating something out of nothing. Ultimate team leader.

CON’S: Mediocre arm strength and requires everything to be perfect to hit the deep ball. Slow release of the football saw him vulnerable to fumbles and strip sacks in the pocket, and makes it difficult to hit his receivers in stride on quick sharp passes. Not quite mastered climbing the pocket to avoid pressure, instead will be steadfast before escaping the pocket entirely. Accuracy is wayward the further he’s going, another byproduct of his average arm strength. Maddeningly threw behind receivers on crossers over the middle. Only has average athleticism, a bit surprising for a quarterback who liked to move. Decision making with the football generally good, although sometimes lost track of situational football and ended up throwing short of the sticks on occasion.

SIMON CARROLL: “The hometown kid who was throwing up the horns whilst still wearing nappies, Sam Ehlinger played every game for Texas as if the fate of civilisation was on the line. A true leader who gave everything to the cause, his mental attributes will no doubt impress scouts. On the field he made every game competitive even when sometimes it had no right to be (Texas Tech 2020 stands out), but there are some very clear limitations to his game that will put a ceiling on his draft stock and likely his NFL career. Ehlinger doesn’t have the arm strength, excellent accuracy or even the athleticism to be a starter in any offensive scheme you create for him, but the intangibles, work rate and dedication will make him an ideal backup who will be able to create off-script moments of magic to keep his team in games.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

QB #12: IAN BOOK, NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Height: 6’0”.   Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Hard working, dedicated quarterback who leaves South Bend as the winningest QB in Notre Dame history. Ultimate leader; coaches rave about his locker room presence, camaraderie he builds with his teammates and how he leads by example. Tough as they come; willing to put his body on the line for an inch if it was on offer, and never gives up on a play. Nothing fazes him; gone up against some of the biggest opponents in college football and given a good account of himself. Elusive is the best way to describe Book’s mobility - he has a knack for getting out of tight situations and trying to make a play. Able to move around the pocket and is very active behind the line of scrimmage. Capable of creating something amazing out of nothing, with wow moments on his tape. Comfortable off-script and can throw on the move, probably more accurately than he can in the pocket.

CON’S: Hazardous style of play. Accuracy ranges from elite to woeful on any given play; for every big moment there is a head scratcher. Delivering the football into tight passing lanes is difficult, and he asked a lot of his receivers at Notre Dame. Arm strength is a big concern, and it has an unmistakable inverse relationship with accuracy the more he tries to put some extra sauce on his deep throws. Pro day was a similar story, with balls either not having the legs or being off target when they got there. Refusal to quit on a play has led to big losses of yardage when sacked a distance behind the line of scrimmage, and there are moments when the ball needs to be thrown away that he fails to do so. Field vision and progressions are okay, but was given a lot of half field reads in the Fighting Irish offense to help him keep the rhythm and timing of his throws intact.

SIMON CARROLL: “There’s something magnetic about Ian Book’s reckless style of play that you just cannot help but love. He’s like a gunslinger without the live arm who brings many of the intangibles you look for in an NFL quarterback but little in the way of traits. His accuracy is wayward, arm strength not quite to the level you want, and his decision making with the football under duress questionable to say the least, and with that in mind it’s highly unlikely he’ll ever be a starter at the next level. But he’s an absolute gamer who won’t back down from anything, and had a knack for just getting the job done at Notre Dame, particularly in his final season as they made the college football playoffs. He’s not conventional backup material in that he’s as far removed from a ‘safe pair of hands’ as you could imagine, yet he’s probably more likely to win you a game than the likes of a Mike Glennon. I truly hope he makes a roster and we see him step into the breach and bring his unique brand of entertainment to the NFL - just hopefully not for my team!

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

QB #13: PEYTON RAMSEY, NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

Height: 6’2”.   Weight: 205lbs

To read Oli Hodgkinson’s interview with Peyton Ramsey, click here:

PRO’S: Intelligent, mobile quarterback who had three years at Indiana before heading to Northwestern as a grad transfer for his final season. Football smarts jump off the screen - relaying information pre-snap at the line of scrimmage, understanding coverages, and decision making with the ball in hand. Intuitive in the pocket with a sixth sense for incoming attention, and able to make the small footwork adjustments to step up and deliver the football. Composed when he has to go off-script and make plays on the run, showing an ability to string out passing plays laterally whilst waiting for opportunities to present themselves. Confident reading his keys on read-options and able to pull the ball back and go at the last moment. Impressive athleticism and he can beat defenders to the marker when forced to scramble.

CON’S: Concerns about arm strength when throwing deep appear on my exposures, with balls losing zip and floating on him, particularly to the outside. Torque on the football seems to be compromised by an inconsistent base; Ramsey can set his feet when everything runs according to plan, but even minor adjustments seem to have him bouncing rather than planting and delivering. Accuracy in general is unconcerning, but under pressure or when creating something out of nothing can be erratic. Touchdown to interception ratio throughout his college career is a little too even for comfort, although the level of supporting cast plays a part in such a stat. A little small and lightweight compared to the prototypical measurements required in the NFL.

SIMON CARROLL: “Peyton Ramsey spent three seasons helping Indiana, against all the odds, become competitive in the Big Ten before enjoying a swansong season in Northwestern where he led the WIldcats to the BIg Ten Championship game. He is a quarterback who has gotten better in every season he has played, and the way he ended his collegiate career with stellar performances against Ohio State and then Auburn in the Citrus Bowl will not have gone unnoticed by NFL scouts. A competitor and a quick processor of information, Ramsey’s intelligence is on display every snap of every game and he takes care to minimise the threats and give himself the best chance of success. Whilst able to produce under pressure, the traits you need for the NFL seem a little wanting and he requires everything to go like clockwork to be consistently effective inside the pocket. The kind of prospect you root for, I can see a team having enough interest to draft him with a role as a backup or practice squad QB a likely outcome.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

QB #14: FELEIPE FRANKS, ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Height: 6’6”.   Weight: 234lbs

PRO’S: Big, imposing quarterback with an NFL arm and plus mobility. Huge jump in accuracy when getting to Arkansas for his senior year, demonstrating touch on apsses at all three levels. Excellent release; ball comes out clean from a high point with a quick motion and has some zip on it with a nice spiral. Solid,, consistent base raided his downhill throws being more consistent in his final year at college. Excellent understanding of defensive schemes and where the opportunities lie based on the play the offense is running. Showcased his athletic ability more with the Razorbacks as Sam Pitman threw in a lot of read option and QB runs to the playbook. True team leader who was a team captain at Florida before heading to Fayetteville and earning the honour there too, despite the small timeframe and COVID interrupted offseason.

CON’S: Game took a huge jump at Arkansas, but was it scheme over growth? Franks benefitted from a friendly playbook that incorporated a lot of ‘easy yardage’ in the form of dump offs, read-options, play action, screens and RPO’s. Field vision is the biggest concern working through progressions seem laboured and he was often given just half field reads to accommodate this. Feel for pressure in the pocket doesn’t exist; Franks is tough and will stand in and make the throw, but it’s quite often where he takes a sack rather than throwing the ball away. Climbing the pocket is an artform he hasn’t quite mastered, and he’s more inclined to escape and go off-script. Locks on to his targets with his eyes, giving defenders big hints where he wants to send the football. Dominated the easy aspects of the schedule but struggled mightily against the tougher SEC defenses he faced.

SIMON CARROLL: “Feleipe Franks rescued any NFL ambitions with a surprisingly effective season at Arkansas. At Florida there was the feeling he was a fish out of water with a scheme that didn’t play to his strengths, and choosing to head to their SEC rivals was a risk that paid off. There are still major fundamental flaws to Franks game that will give him a ceiling as a backup at the next level; lack of composure and anticipation, trouble working through his progressions, and taking sacks and making mistakes at key moments will make even the most confident QB coach question their ability to transform him into someone who can start on Sundays. But the intangibles are all there, and if you give him a condensed, mobile friendly playbook that accentuates his strengths like they did in Arkansas there might be something you can work with.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

QB #15: KJ COSTELLO, MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 222lbs

PRO’s: Big arm and gets impressive velocity on his throws; cna absolutely gun it in there when necessary. Excellent base when setting up to throw gives him all the torque in the world. Ball comes out clean and in a tight spiral. Showed good accuracy on short to intermediate routes, and fairly good accuracy to the outside and down the field. Throws with anticipation and instills confidence in his teammates by trusting them to come down with the football when needed. Brought a level of swagger to his game early in his collegiate career, and his confidence helped him remain composed in tough situations. Plus mobility allows him to move around in the pocket to avoid pressure, and he has enough juice in his legs to move the chains when necessary. Extremely effective when facing man coverage and he was able to lead his receivers when they had earned separation.

CON’S: All went wrong for him as a senior. Significant injury history, primarily concussions, and it decimated his final year at Stanford. Costello opted to transfer to Mississippi State for a fresh start and hopefully explode in Mike Leach’s air raid offense; it didn’t happen. Just 1,283 yards in Starkville, half of which came in the opening game against LSU. Costello lost the swagger and confidence with the Bulldogs; his accuracy waned, decision making went downhill, and his comfort standing tall in the pocket to deliver the football disappeared. Throws too many interceptions and is reckless with ball security; holding it low and away from his body in the pocket. Unorthodox throwing motion that changes based on scenario - helps him make angled passes but over reliant on side arm delivery and will be preyed upon at the next level.

SIMON CARROLL: “You can blame the move to Mississippi State as the catalyst for KJ Costello’s disappointing end to his collegiate career, and perhaps it was a poor decision given the pandemic and lack of opportunity to learn a pass happy system. But Costello’s slide began at Stanford. The concussions really did rock him, and he has never been the same quarterback since. That being said, you don’t lay 620 yards and 5 touchdowns on the reigning National Champions in your first game in a new system with less than ideal preparation unless you have something about you. Costello can sling it, of that there is no question, and when he’s on top of his game you have yourself an accurate, instinctive quarterback who is a respected team leader and can galvanise an offense. Sadly, we haven’t seen that consistently for more than two years, and he’ll need some serious time to acclimate to the net level, something a bottom of the roster guy might not necessarily be afforded.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

QB #16: BRADY DAVIS, ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS

COMING SOON! (REBECCA RENNIE)

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.  HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.

5/5