2021 NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings Top Ten
10. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
Size: 6-3, 217
The Good: Experience isn’t a problem. Size, leadership, mobility, decision-making – they’re all good enough to be a possible value starter at the next level. He learned to play within the Jimbo Fisher/Texas A&M offensive system and style, he limited his mistakes, and he got better and better as his career went on.
The Not-So-Good: It’s not a knock because it wasn’t really his fault, but he almost never turned it loose. A&M played a slow-and-go, tempo-controlled style which worked, but it also meant that Mond almost never took unnecessary chances. That was fine right up until those moments when he needed to start firing.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s possible he’s the hidden gem in this class. There’s enough skill there, and there’s more than enough when it comes to the intangibles to become a pro’s pro who gets into an NFL camp and takes over. The problem is that he was too often a midrange system passer, and now his game has to change.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Feleipe Franks, Arkansas
Size: 6-7, 234
The Good: It’s ALL there. Size, mobility, arm, fire, attitude, starting QB intangibles – he’s how you make an NFL-looking quarterback. If he doesn’t have the best fastball in the draft – no, really, he has an MLB arm – he’s not far off. He was in a few tough situations with a restructuring period at Florida and then a rebuild at Arkansas, and he pushed through with a terrific 17-TD, 4-interception season with the Hogs.
The Not-So-Good: It’s going to take a little work. Even with all of his experience, it’s almost like he needs more reps to grow into a more confident rhythm passer. As crazy as it might seem considering his tools, he has to trust his arm more – it’s like he’s too afraid of making a mistake.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll probably have more talent and better skills than the starter for whatever team that drafts him. The upside is enormous, he’ll do the work needed to make himself better, and he could be the shot for the stars for a team willing to live through a whole lot of inconsistencies to get there.
Projected Round: Fourth
8. Jamie Newman, Georgia/Wake Forest
Size: 6-4, 230
The Good: Welcome to your best potential value pick among the quarterback prospects. If you’re looking for the right look and the right skills to develop, here you go with the size, mobility, and the arm strength to home there’s something special once he fights through the growing pains.
The Not-So-Good: He really could’ve used that graduate transfer year at Georgia. He was good at Wake Forest and almost certainly would’ve started right away after transferring to Georgia, but he opted out. He only had one year as a full-time starter, and he’s going to need a whole lot of time breaking down and building up his mechanics.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Give him some time, and fight through the growing pains, and there might be something amazing on the other side. As we speak, some quarterback coach and offensive coordinator worth their respective salt are hoping to get this guy to work with.
Projected Round: Fourth
7. Kyle Trask, Florida
Size: 6-5, 240
The Good: Blow off that bowl loss to Oklahoma when most of the star Gators were off getting ready for the NFL. Trask almost pulled off the win over Alabama in the SEC Championship, and even by modern college football standards the stats were off the charts. He was on a better pace than 2019 Joe Burrow was after 11 games, and he did it all against SEC teams. The arm is there, the moxie is there, the …
The Not-So-Good: The pick sixes are there. It’s too big of a problem to ignore. He only threw eight interceptions last season, but there’s a little Matt Schaub in him when it comes to occasionally hitting the guy in the other uniform in stride. Tools-wise, he has the arm, but he doesn’t have the upside developmental skills of some of the other prospects around his range.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: You don’t throw for over 4,000 yards in a season with 43 touchdowns in 11 SEC games without having next-level passing ability, but you’re not getting a runner and you’re going to have to live through a slew of big mistakes.
Projected Round: Third
6. Davis Mills, Stanford
Size: 6-4, 217
The Good: Stanford doesn’t mess around when it comes to quarterbacks who have the NFL pocket passer look. Mills has the size, stature, and arm strength to be right out of central casting with the ability to hang in the pocket and put the ball anywhere he wants. It’s going to require patience, but if he had one more year in college his stock would’ve gone through the roof.
The Not-So-Good: Yeah, he’s right out of central casting … for 1998. There’s not enough mobility to matter in the modern game – there’s only one Tom Brady. Either he fits into your scheme as a pure pocket passer or it’s not going to work. He’s not a total statue – he’s okay throwing on the move – but considering staying healthy has been a a problem, there will be a whole lot of breath-holding when defenders tee off.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The NFL scouting types are going to so desperately want to make this work. That arm, the way his passes look, the zip, the size, it all fits the mold. Again, there’s a chance here that he belongs among the top five of the star passers in this draft. It might not happen right away, some coaching staff is going to love him in camp.
Projected Round: Third