2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT

Starkel

Film Watched: Southern Utah 2021, UNLV 2020, New Mexico 2020

Pro's:

  • Tall, lean quarterback with a big arm that loves to attack downfield
  • Aggressive with the football – almost gunslinger mentality, unafraid to challenge DB’s
  • Ball comes out with plenty of velocity to all levels of the field
  • Intermediate sideline passes thrown to back shoulder, away from the defender
  • Experienced QB who has seen it all at the line of scrimmage for three different teams
  • Able to diagnose defenses pre-snap, adjust progression priority as suited
  • Works through his progressions well, and checkdowns nicely when the heat comes
  • Climbs the pocket well to remain in structure and deliver the football
Credit: @MathBomb (Twitter) / https://ras.football

Con's:

  • Limited to little athleticism; might move the chains with his legs once in a while, but little else
  • Accuracy concerns on deep passes – ball has the legs but often drop wide of the target
  • Repeated danger throws downfield – really relied on his big receivers to come down with the ball
  • Would like a wider stance as he throws, particularly with his lean physique
  • Interception machine, usually as a result of taking one too many chances in tight windows
  • Acknowledges outside rushers but blind to interior pressure, resulting in unnecessary sacks

The Verdict:

“Did The Spartans just catch lightning in a bottle in 2020, or is Nick Starkel a toolsy NFL prospect with all the measurables to be a quintessential pocket passer? There is no doubt that the nomadic quarterback’s arrival in San Jose was a big catalyst in the success of the program, culminating in them winning the Mountain West for the first time in their history. A live arm and the aggression to use it, Starkel finally found a home after stints with both Texas A&M and Arkansas ended in him being benched for Kellen Mond and KJ Jefferson respectively. Questionable decision making and an uncontrollable urge to force the football makes him a day three risk at best, but I can see at least one NFL team believing they are able to rein him in a little and take advantage of his undoubted physical skillset.”
Mock Draft
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content

NFL COMPARISON: JOE FLACCO

PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST.

5/5