Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 226 lbs
School: University of Nevada
Arms: 32”
Hands: 9 1/8”
Carson Strong 2022 NFL Draft Profile
Strong’s Career at the University of Nevada
Carson Strong is a redshirt junior from the University of Nevada. Strong seeks to join Colin Kaepernick, Derek Carr, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love as the only Mountain West Conference passers drafted in the first two rounds. He was very productive while on the field for the Wolf Pack with 9,368 yards, 74 touchdowns, completing passes at 68.1%. Strong started as a redshirt freshman in 2019 until forgoing his senior season to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nevada QB Carson Strong has announced that he will be declaring for the #NFL Draft, via @CarsonStrong_. pic.twitter.com/KcTMnXFuPW
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 15, 2021
Health Issues
The talented passer has a history of knee injuries stemming back to high school. Strong was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OD) his senior season at Wood High School in California. OD is a degenerative joint condition resulting in cartilage death due to lack of blood flow. This cartilage can become lodged into the joint and cause knee pain, weakness, and dysfunction. Strong had surgery after the 2020 season to clean up the cartilage in his knee and remove scar tissue. He continued to struggle with his knee, requiring fluid drained multiple times.
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Strong has a very talented arm able to complete all the throws at every level. Teams are sure to show interest in Strong’s elite arm talent and big play ability. However, difficulty with pre-snap reads, mobility, and extensive knee health history could cause Strong to slide further down in the draft.
Strengths
- Elite arm talent featuring arm strength and touch
- Great leader with long history commanding the locker room
- Ability to make off-platform throws
- Interceptions are few and far between
Weaknesses
- Knee health and stability
- Reduced mobility
- Lack of experience with pre-snap read
- Hangs on to the ball too long leading to sacks
Teams With Need at Quarterback: Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts
Pro Comparison: Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady
Carson Strong fits the mold of Roethlisberger, Rivers, and Brady. Strong has big shoes to fill before scratching the surface on these three potential hall of fame quarterbacks. However, Strong is a big-bodied passer with limited mobility and an elite arm. With his rare combination of touch velocity, Strong could surprise NFL teams and make for a career starter.
QB Carson Strong balled out in Nevada's W.
The Wolf Pack are now 3-0 for the first time since 2010, when Colin Kaepernick was QB. pic.twitter.com/FGHFBIuLNL
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 6, 2020
Projection: 3rd Round
Summing Up Strong’s Scouting Report
Carson Strong is a big-bodied passer with elite-level arm talent combining arm strength with touch. He is able to complete every throw at every level of the field and takes care of the ball consistently. The former Wolf Pack passer adopts a gunslinger mentality with big-play potential on every snap. Strong also shows a willingness to climb the pocket and pass off-script as well as off-platform.
Teams will likely pass on Carson Strong in the NFL Draft for other passers and/or playmakers due to his extensive knee injury history. His knee injuries stemming from high school could limit his already subpar mobility. His injury history could also keep him sidelined with injuries. Other concerns causing a third-round slide include pre-snap read difficulties and high sack potential due to hanging on to the football too long.
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