Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL draft, this early edition of the Brad Kaaya scouting report should offer some interesting insight.

Position:  QB

Height:  6’4”

Weight:  209 lbs

Year:  Junior

School:  Miami (Fl.)

Strengths:

• Plenty of size that should fit well with the NFL mold, but more than that is his toughness. Took several hard shots in games and kept getting up without mishap.
• Handles pressure well. Can move in the pocket to buy time but is still able to reset his feet and deliver accurate passes. Also not flustered by blitzers in his face.
• Stands tall in the pocket and can deliver pinpoint passes down the field on time and in rhythm.
• Shows no fear at attacking defenses with the deep strikes. Will take his shots when circumstances seem favorable to it and more often than not produces a big play.

Note how Kaaya goes through the progression of the play, selling the fake to hold up the rush just long enough for his receiver to get downfield. Then there is zero hesitation. He throws it the moment he hits his back step and not only connects on the pass, but shows an ability to put the ball towards the shoulder away from the defender, giving his receiver the best chance to catch it.

• Makes good decisions with the football. Doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions and often will throw the ball either in the dirt or out of bounds rather than force it into tight windows.

Weaknesses

• Not a pure runner. Likely will be limited to a classic pocket passing offense rather than bootleg or read-option attacks.
• Though his passes are often on target, they also don’t get lots of air under them at time. Can have a tendency to throw line drives, allowing them to get tipped at the line.
• Ball tends to lack consistent spin. Passes come off wobbly at times, suggesting smaller than average hands. That is supported by the seven fumbles he had in 2015.
• Doesn’t spend much time under center, instead running most of his plays from the shotgun in the read-option style despite lacking the mobility to make it truly effective.

This shows his lack of understanding with something so basic as taking a snap from center. He started pulling back before he had the football and his suspect hands lent to there being a fumble. No doubt he’s going to need lots of practice time once he gets to the pros in order to get used to this, which may slow his growth somewhat depending on which team takes him.

Pro Comparison:  Eli Manning

As has often been the case throughout his career, the numbers aren’t always pretty for Eli Manning but when he’s on his game it seems like there isn’t anything he can’t do. He has the arm to get the ball almost anywhere on the field and shows zero fear or hesitation at taking his shots deep. At the same time he’s limited to doing his damage from the pocket given a lack of mobility. Kaaya reflects a very similar style.

Projected Round:  1^st

Barring injury or a massive regression in his development, it’s hard not seeing Brad Kaaya go somewhere in the top 32 picks next April. He’s got the big body, strong arm, throws accurate passes and runs the offense with efficiency. It shouldn’t be too difficult for him to adjust to a classic drop back offense provided the coaching staff doesn’t rush him.