Kellen Mond NFL Draft Overview
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’-3”
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Texas A&M
2021 NFL Draft: Kellen Mond Player Profile
Kellen Mond is the most underrated quarterback in the 2021 draft class. A four-year starter for the Aggies, Mond is one of only three SEC quarterbacks to throw for over 9,000 passing yards and rack up over 1,500 rushing yards over a college career. Mond has all the physical traits in terms of size, arm strength, and athleticism but scouts doubt the footwork and the consistency in Monds’ passing accuracy.
Ranked the number one dual-threat quarterback of the 2017 recruiting class by ESPN, Mond committed to Texas A&M under ex-head coach Kevin Sumlin. Mond originally attended Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, before transferring to IMG Academy in Florid for his senior year.
Mond’s college career never hit the heights it was supposed to. After originally backing up Nick Starkel as a freshman, Mond took over the starting job after Starkel suffered an injury in Week 1. Mond led the Aggies to a 7-6 record as Sumlin was fired midseason. Jimbo Fisher came in as head coach and named Mond the starter ahead of the quarterback’s sophomore campaign.
Mond’s next two seasons were full of promise and bright moments, but he lacked consistency. However, Mond ended his college career on a high note. He led the Aggies to a 9-1 record, and a comfortable Orange bowl victory over the North Carolina Tarheels.
Strengths:
- Strong arm for the pro level – makes down the field throws look easy;
- Quick-release;
- Buys time in the pocket with his legs – good athlete to scramble and on designed quarterback runs;
- Good experience – three-year starter, plus starting experience as a true freshman;
- Limited turnovers throughout his career – smart with the football;
- A lot of upside in the right scheme.
Weaknesses:
- Very inconsistent – streaky passing accuracy;
- Footwork on timing routes needs work – often takes extra little steps on dropbacks – throws off the timing with his receivers;
- Could do with adding more touch to some of his passes – fires in strikes a lot;
- The ability to see the whole field and go through his progressions needs to be coached up;
- A lean Build – Needs to bulk up to withstand hits at the pro level.
NFL Comparison: Joshua Dobbs
A career back-up to this point, Dobbs had a very similar build to Mond entering the NFL in 2017. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Dobbs in the fourth round as a developmental quarterback with high upside due to his physical tools. Mond is in a similar position with many of the same weaknesses to his game Dobbs had as a passer at Tennessee.
Teams With Need at Position: New York Jets, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints
Projection: Third/Fourth Round
[pickup_prop id=”3937″]
Bottom Line on Kellen Mond:
Mond has the arm to make all the throws at the pro level. However, NFL front offices would feel more comfortable taking the Aggies quarterback early in the draft if he showed more consistency in college. Even his senior year, the stats don’t jump off the screen. Mond looked after the football well, throwing 19 touchdowns to just three interceptions and the team did go 9-1. However, 2,282 passing yards in ten games doesn’t suggest Mond was the driving force behind the Aggies’ success.
That said, there is a lot to like about Mond. The arm talent and the athleticism are clear to see. He continued to improve every season in his pre-snap adjustments with the Aggies and NFL coaches should like the football IQ and focus on ball security Mond showed in 2020. Mond has starter potential as a developmental prospect, however, he projects as a backup early in his pro career.
Mond has flaws, his footwork in the pocket needs work. There are several instances in games of Mond taking extra steps on dropbacks that throw off his timing with receivers, resulting in inaccurate throws and inevitable incompletions.
Mond has the potential to play in the NFL. He needs at least a year in a system that suits his skill set. Perfecting his mechanics and his footwork while becoming familiar with the complexity of NFL defenses is a must in his rookie season. The upside is clear. Playing for a quality coaching staff would be very beneficial to Monds’ potential long-term success in the NFL.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
