All the lights at the 2023 NFL Draft will be shining on the likes of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, and Anthony Richardson. Rightfully so, as they have all wowed either on film or at the combine thus far. There is a quarterback prospect to keep your eyes on at the back of the pack however in Tanner McKee. He is coming out of Stanford, a team that has not performed well or had many talents of late.
Draft profile
The official draft profile on him out of NFL.com reads like this, “Long, tall pocket passer with better arm strength than arm talent as a passer. McKee throws with an unorthodox delivery that becomes even more irregular when he feels rushed. He can make all the NFL throws and delivers a tight spiral with good velocity on intermediate and deep throws to the field side. However, his heavy feet and a lack of agility limit his effectiveness outside of the pocket and make him a magnet for pass rushers when protection becomes spotty. McKee clearly improved his throwing process in 2022, but he might lack the decision-making and functional mobility to make it in today’s NFL.” If you watched some of his game film, however, it may tell a different story of a quarterback with great size and arm strength with little to no help. It’s hard to succeed at any level with a team that is lacking the ability to keep up with you. In all honesty, he may not be too far from Levis as far as the intangibles he brings to the table. Unfortunately, his team has not had the success nor the weapons, or even blocking to allow him to showcase those skills as much as Levis has.
College Stats
According to Sports-Reference.com, his stats in college were that he played 23 games, threw for 5,336 yards, and 28 touchdowns against 15 interceptions in his three-year career. Obviously, the stats don’t jump off the page to anyone, but again, look at the supporting cast he has had to work with. Before the year began, he was even getting seen as a top-five quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for McKee, when you are on the sideline per se already, if you don’t have a breakout, amazing season you drop even further.
NFL Projection
Maybe others will see the raw potential there, he certainly won’t be drafted high and be the day-one starter for a team. With the proper coaching, however, and some time spent as a backup learning from a veteran, there may be a future for him in the NFL. The intangibles and measurables all seem to be there for him and given the right situation he can succeed and maybe in a year or two have the success Brock Purdy did coming off the bench for the San Francisco 49ers. Hopefully, a team will take a chance on him and help him realize his potential. It would be great to see him get the opportunity to play at the NFL level.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
