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Dak Prescott, QB Mississippi State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Shawn Spencer

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Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

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Dak Prescott was a three-star recruit in 2011 who chose to attend Mississippi State despite offers from home-state programs such as LSU and Louisiana Tech. Was utilized as a short-yardage QB early in career, but has gone on to start 32 career games and set 38 school records. Prescott announced last season he would declare for the 2015 NFL Draft if the advisory committee gave him a first-round grade, but that did not happen and he returned to school for his senior season. Adequate height and good weight with a thick frame and good athletic ability.

Player Information

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 230 lbs.

Estimate 40-yard dash time: low 4.7s

Games Watched

2015: LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M, Missouri, Alabama

Strengths

Prescott’s biggest improvement from a year ago is his mental processing. Both pre and post-snap, he shows a solid understanding of defensive alignments and concepts. After the snap, he does a good job analyzing the field and going through his progressions. He understands when to escape the pocket and has the agility and quickness to avoid the pass rush and extend the play. He also showcases athletic ability outside the pocket while keeping eyes downfield.

Here’s an example of Prescott extending the play, not outside the pocket, but inside. On this play against Alabama late in the season, he feels pressure off the edge and navigates the pocket brilliantly. His eyes stay downfield the entire time and by extending the play, gives his receiver time to create separation on a crossing route over the middle.

Good decision maker who will check down or run with the ball if initial reads aren’t open. Places proper touch on the ball and displays solid play strength by throwing an accurate pass with defenders in his face. Demonstrates good composure in two-minute drill, staying calm and managing the offense. Very good competitive toughness in the red zone (17 touchdowns and no interceptions) and after mistakes (70 percent completion rate on first pass after a sack or interception).

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Areas for Improvement

Prescott has made significant improvements from the pocket this season, but there is still a lot of work to be done. When the pocket isn’t clean, his mechanics revert back to 2013-2014 form. His poor footwork throws off his balance and he releases the ball falling away from his intended target.

On this play, both feet are in front of him and nearly parallel to the 33-yardline at the release point. After the release, he spins away from the pressure and his right shoulder is pointing towards the target on the follow through. The result is an overthrow of more than five yards to a receiver who could have walked into the endzone for a touchdown.

A slow release and inability to consistently hit receivers in stride limits yards after the catch. Passes thrown outside the numbers from the opposite hash are begging to be intercepted as a result of marginal arm strength. The same can be said for passes thrown deep downfield as he simply doesn’t have enough arm strength to hit his receiver before the safety gets there.

Despite being a mobile QB, he possesses only adequate accuracy on the move. Marginal situational awareness, taking nine sacks on third down this season. As a runner he struggles to break tackles and takes unnecessary punishment as a result of not sliding.

Overall

Overall, Dak Prescott is a backup in the NFL who can win with his mobility and accuracy on short and intermediate passes. He is not someone who possesses the arm strength or poise under pressure to be a starter at the next level. While he has made great strides as a passer this season, he’s still a work-in-progress. I wouldn’t select him any earlier than the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

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