2019 NFL Draft: Kyle Kempt is a bigger Jake Delhomme

Kyle Kempt certainly has the look of a pro quarterback, but does his tape show enough to be worth the risk in the 2019 NFL draft?

Position: QB

School: Iowa State

Year: Senior

Height: 6’5

Weight: 230 lbs

STRENGTHS:

• When it comes to NFL size, Kempt fits the exact mold of what teams are looking for. He’s not only tall but well-proportioned. He looks like he can handle the hits.
• Accuracy jumps out right away. When he’s got the chance to square his body properly, he can deliver the ball with consistent touch and placement anywhere on the field.
• Intelligence and leadership praise constantly follow him. Was a team captain and his own head coach said coaching will be in his future when he’s done playing.
• Wide receivers didn’t do him a lot of favors during games, frequently dropping a lot of passes that should’ve been caught.

This is the sort of situation NFL quarterbacks are expected to handle. It’s going in to score on 3rd down. The ball is snapped poorly, coming out low. Despite being 6’5, Kempt shows his calm and athleticism by handling it. Then he’s able to swiftly evaluate the field before getting the ball out just before the hit. It’s put in a place where only his wide receiver has a shot at it, which is caught for a pretty touchdown.

• A football player at heart. Not afraid to pursue a play down the field to help out with blocking even after the pass has long been completed.
• Field vision is good, as is his processing speed. Surveys the landscape well and tend to always find where the open receiver is.
• Shows an ability to read what the defense is doing. Has been able to identify and beat blitzes multiple times for big plays.
• He’s not a pure runner but he’s more mobile than he gets credit for. Moves well for a guy his size and has that run-pass option capability teams will like.

WEAKNESSES:

• Arm strength is somewhat lacking despite being such a big guy. A lot of his deeper throws tend to come up short of their intended target.
• Throwing motion is a bit unnerving. Has a bit of a windup that takes time to get the ball out, opening him up for strip sacks and bad throws while big hit.
• Mechanics are inconsistent. Footwork is all over the place which leads to his constant issues with overthrowing what should be fairly simple passes.
• The combine will reveal the results but his hand size must be on the smaller size. Too many throws tend to come out fluttering and wobbly.
• He never completed a full season playing at school. The most he managed was eight games in 2017. Injuries have held him back throughout college.

Pro Comparison:  Jake Delhomme

Delhomme was an undrafted free agent out of Southwestern Louisiana. He spent six seasons as a backup for the New Orleans Saints, taking frequent trips over to NFL Europe where he continued to hone his craft and put together strong tape. Finally in 2003 he became a free agent and was signed by the Carolina Panthers where he went on to two Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl appearance. He didn’t have the strongest arm, but he was cool under pressure and got the ball out with accuracy to give his receivers a chance.

Projection:  6th round

Right now Kempt has the look of an ideal backup quarterback. He’s intelligent and embraces his role as a teammate and leader. It’s like having an extra coach on the sideline. His injury history and lack of arm strength though won’t put him atop many lists come draft time. That said, he has enough ability to be intrigued by his upside. In a more complex and QB-friendly offense, he could end up being an effective starter if given the chance down the road.