2019 NFL Draft: Trace McSorley can’t avoid a Christian Ponder feel

Trace McSorley is one of the most successful QBs set to enter the 2019 NFL draft. He might also be the one who creates the most arguments.

Position: QB

School: Penn State

Year: Senior

Height: 6’0

Weight: 202 lbs

STRENGTHS:

• Accuracy isn’t a big issue with him. He shows consistent ball placement at the short and intermediate levels and can hit his receivers even in crowded areas.
• Highly mobile. The kid is a natural scrambler, able to keep plays alive or pick up 1st downs with his legs, which makes him a prime candidate for a heavy run-pass option offense.
• Doesn’t lack for toughness. He takes a lot of hits both when dropping back to pass and when taking off to run. They don’t seem to affect him all that much either way.
• Certainly fearless. Not just because he’s willing to run but in his decision-making. He has no qualms about taking shots down the field, putting the ball up for grabs in certain situations.
• A leader on the offensive side. His teammates respond to him with big plays and he tends to deliver in a lot of high-pressure situations.

Just read the situation. Conference game against a tough opponent in Iowa. There are four seconds left on the clock and a touchdown is needed to win. It’s the last play of the game. McSorley doesn’t panic at first, letting the play develop and then fires a perfectly placed pass between two defenders to his open receiver for the winning touchdown. That’s the sort of mental fortitude he brings to a team.

• Sells his fakes well in RPO situations as well as play action and pump fakes. Can often get defenders to bite just enough for a big play opportunity.
• Pocket poise is there at times. He doesn’t fear taking the hits if he can deliver the throw and shows promise at stepping up to avoid pressure.

WEAKNESSES:

• Size isn’t everything in the NFL but it does matter. Shorter quarterbacks have a harder time finding success and being 6’0 means any team will have to get him into clean throwing windows.
• Arm strength just isn’t there. Even from the pocket, his ball lacks true zip and on the run there’s just not a lot he can do from a passing standpoint.
• Not the type who goes through his progressions as a passer at this point. Usually takes one read. If it’s not there he’s looking for the open lane to run.
• While he’s not afraid to take chances, he can sometimes get a little too reckless, walking that fine line. This has led to some rough turnovers in the past.
• Passing mechanics are erratic at times, especially under pressure. This has led to a number of throws that are off target or lack velocity, making for easy INT opportunities.

Pro Comparison:  Christian Ponder

There was no question that Ponder was a leader and an athlete coming out of Florida State in 2011. The Vikings liked him so much for those reasons along with his great fit in their offense that they took him in the 1st round. It didn’t take long to realize his physical limitations, most notably his arm. He just didn’t have enough of one to scare defenses. Combine that with injury issues and a somewhat reckless playing style and it never worked out. McSorely is even shorter than him with less arm strength.

Projection:  5th round

McSorley is going to get drafted. That much is easy to see. He’s way too good of a big game player and a top quality athlete to let slip too far down the board. However, his limitations as a passer and size put his ceiling on the third day of a draft. He looks like the sort of guy who can make a long career as a backup in the NFL thanks to his mental toughness and playmaking instinct.