Ted Nguyen analyzes Carson Strong...

[Mr. Scot]

...and concludes he'd be talked about as a clear first rounder if not for the medical questions.

QB Carson Strong could be the Draft's biggest wild card

Excerpts:

If it weren't for the concern with Carson Strong’s right knee in which he had to replace cartilage with cartilage from a cadaver in 2021, we might be talking about the former Nevada quarterback as a first-round pick. Watching the film, he’s only second to Liberty’s Malik Willis when it comes to arm talent. Strong has been open about his recovery process. He said his dad advised him not to play the first part of last season because the surgery he had typically required a year to heal and he came back in six months. Strong was determined to be there for his team and boost his draft stock. He admitted his knee affected his play and mobility.

...

Despite the injury, he threw for 4,175 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, while completing 70 percent of his passes in an offense that emphasized vertical passes. Strong practiced and played in the Senior Bowl without a knee brace. If there were a game today, he could play but the concern is with the longevity of his surgically repaired knee.

“Each team views it a little differently,” said Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert. “(Strong) has had numerous surgeries and is healthy to go play a game right now. But long-term there are concerns. Enough that will take him off some boards. Decent chance he’ll end up being a terrific value for the team willing to take the chance.”

...

Strong throws a beautiful deep ball, can zip passes into tight windows and has a good sense of ball placement. He has experience playing under center in a heavy dropback offense, can manipulate defenses and changes protections and audibles at the line of scrimmage. As far as traits, his biggest weakness is his mobility, but if you’re betting on him, you’re betting that he’ll be able to move better as his knee continues to heal.

...

According to Pro Football Focus, Strong is tied for first with 55 big-time throws since 2020. Basically, big-time throws are throws that are high in difficulty and value. For example, a long-distance throw into a tight window that results in a third-down conversion or touchdown would be considered a big-time throw. Even though Strong attempted a lot of high difficulty throws, he’s only thrown 19 interceptions in his three seasons as a starter.

...

Strong has prototypical size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), has good arm talent, is aggressive and has experience throwing concepts that will translate to the NFL. His mobility could be an issue but again if you’re betting on his knee, you’re betting that he can move a little better if he gets healthier. He’ll never be confused for Josh Allen, but you don’t have to be a scrambler to win in the NFL. Drafting him will be a gamble with his medical history, but if he can get healthy and stay healthy, a team could be getting a first-round type talent at the most important position later in the draft.

Edited April 8, 2022 by Mr. Scot

[kungfoodude]

Boy it would be nice to have that 2nd round pick......

[ForJimmy]

5 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Boy it would be nice to have that 2nd round pick......

[unicar15]

5 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Boy it would be nice to have that 2nd round pick......

Honestly with the medicals and that he’s not “prototype” anymore I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls to the late 3rd or 4th. 

[Panthera onca]

Damn at first glance I thought that said Ted Nugent analyzes Carson Strong.

[kungfoodude]

34 minutes ago, unicar15 said:

Honestly with the medicals and that he’s not “prototype” anymore I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls to the late 3rd or 4th. 

If he falls to the 4th, we better make that pick.

[BrianS]

I am actually less concerned about the knee than I am about the offense he played in.  Air Raid QB's typically don't fare all that well in the NFL.  But, obviously:  Patrick Mahomes.

Strong is going to get drafted.  He's going to get a chance to take snaps in the NFL.  He's a risk, yes.  But honestly, I'd rather draft Strong than Willis.  Strong has actually shown things against big boy competition.  He's been remarkably consistent over the last two years despite the injury.  What I like about him is that you saw the growth from his first year starting at Nevada to his second and then he continued to perform that way the year after.  He showed growth, and proved it wasn't a fluke.

[Ricky Spanish]

Him and Corral are my two favorites this year. 

[thunderraiden]

2 minutes ago, stbugs said:

Let’s be honest, it isn’t really Sam’s fault. He didn’t make the trade or accept the 5th year option. That’s on Rhule and Fitterer.

Facts. It was so bad no one wants to trade for a qb in the entire NFL now unless they think they can be elite.

[ColumbusCounty]

I've been mentioning this guy the past three months. Hell of an arm. 

[Call Me James]

Unfortunately for him staying healthy is a big part of the game and teams also want l9ng term health at the QB position.

[Khyber53]

He's interesting, especially after that read, but...

we've got a long wait after pick #6, what chance does he have of still being there when we're finally able?

[Waldo]

If not for the knee he would be a hell of a QB prospect. 

[LinvilleGorge]

57 minutes ago, stbugs said:

Let’s be honest, it isn’t really Sam’s fault. He didn’t make the trade or accept the 5th year option. That’s on Rhule and Fitterer.

Of course it's not. I never blame the player unless it's obvious they're not putting in the work. All the player can do is put in the work. If he's still not good enough, then it's a coaching and/or talent evaluation issue.