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I'm going to ask a question that I already know 'the answer' to.
Why is no one talking about Washington drafting Florida QB Kyle Trask?
Here's the 'conventional wisdom':
Could everyone be wrong on Kyle Trask? Let's take a closer look at him.
First and foremost, Kyle Trask is an imposing QB. 6' 5" tall and 240 lbs, he is a big dude and that used to be viewed as a significant positive for NFL rookie QBs. Trask is not an RPO QB, but the claims he is 'slow' are relative, as he was able to run a 4.98 40 yd dash during a recent pro day. While no one would claim that Kyle Trask has the strongest arm in this NFL draft class, he certainly has adequate arm strength. His average yds/completion in 2020 was more than 10 yds - higher than consensus #1 pick Trevor Lawrence (and the 8th highest average of 235 draft-eligible QBs). I think it's hard to make the argument that Trask is just a 'dink and dunker' who may only be suited for a West Coast offense that puts a priority on the short passing game.
Even considering the NFL's shift to more mobile dual threat QBs, it is surprising that Trask is seemingly getting so little consideration, in light of his 2020 Heisman candidate-worthy season at Florida. Critics will quip that there's irony in Trasks record-shattering 2020 season, since the guy whose single season passing yard record Trask eclipsed was Danny Wuerffel. But Trask, who has waited patiently most of his high school and college career to get the starter's nod, had a truly impressive 2020 campaign.
301 completions on 437 attempts.
68.9% completion rate.
4,283 passing yards.
43 TDs.
8 INTs.
Season passer rating of 180.
Those are gaudy numbers against some stout SEC competition.
Now, Washington fans should understand from recent history, that looking at a single season and evaluating a QB prospect is a risky proposition. But Trask had similar production in 2019 while sharing QBing duties with Feleipe Franks and Emory Jones, completing 67% of his passes for nearly 3,000 yds with 25 TDs and 7 INTs.
Most scouting reports concede - Trask is a very accurate passer with excellent ball placement ability, who is able to skillfully read defenses, play from under center or shotgun, and who is an outstanding decision-maker.
Critics will undermine Trask's 2020 accomplishments by giving credit to Florida TE Kyle Pitts, or by suggesting that Florida QBs always look good due to that school's traditional focus on the passing game. But a fair assessment reveals that Kyle Trasks calm, capable QBing and decisive accurate passing was a central to the offense's success in 2019 and 2020.
Is Kyle Trask a fit for a Scott Turner offense? I've asked this question myself, and my current answer is, I don't know. At a passing glance, perhaps not. Turner's offense seems ideally suited for QBs in the Alex Smith/Kyle Allen/Taylor Heinicke mold, guys who create a dilemma for the defense with their ability to use their feet when necessary. While Trask did show an ability to use his big body to pick up short yardage when needed, he is most definitely not a threat to beat you with his feet. On the other hand, Trask is poised in the pocket, has good awareness of pressure, can read defenses, and makes great decisions with the ability to deliver the ball on time and with accuracy. Those attributes are essential for QB success in almost any NFL offense.
In our recent podcast, we spent a lot of time talking about Kellen Mond, who is certainly an intriguing prospect, and one who absolutely fits what we think Scott Turner covets in a QB in his offense. But should the team not pick up Mond, Trask may be the most talented Day 2 QB still on the table.
Would Washington draft him as a potential future starter?
One final thought. What other teams might be most interested in Kyle Trask in the upcoming draft? It's rumored those teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New Orleans Saints, and the New England Patriots - not too shabby in terms of teams that know what's required at that position and have made a living off of being right. I think it's possible Washington may also be evaluating whether this underrated QB could be an option.
It will be interesting to see where Trask goes and which teams try to get him.
Why is no one talking about Washington drafting Florida QB Kyle Trask?
Here's the 'conventional wisdom':
- Trask is slow and immobile, traits that are anathema for the modern NFL QB
- Trask is a throwback pocket passer who is ill-suited to the RPO-style game that most NFL teams are implementing
- Trask has a weak arm
- Trask is a subpar athlete
- Trask is a poor fit for a Scott Turner offense
Could everyone be wrong on Kyle Trask? Let's take a closer look at him.
First and foremost, Kyle Trask is an imposing QB. 6' 5" tall and 240 lbs, he is a big dude and that used to be viewed as a significant positive for NFL rookie QBs. Trask is not an RPO QB, but the claims he is 'slow' are relative, as he was able to run a 4.98 40 yd dash during a recent pro day. While no one would claim that Kyle Trask has the strongest arm in this NFL draft class, he certainly has adequate arm strength. His average yds/completion in 2020 was more than 10 yds - higher than consensus #1 pick Trevor Lawrence (and the 8th highest average of 235 draft-eligible QBs). I think it's hard to make the argument that Trask is just a 'dink and dunker' who may only be suited for a West Coast offense that puts a priority on the short passing game.
Even considering the NFL's shift to more mobile dual threat QBs, it is surprising that Trask is seemingly getting so little consideration, in light of his 2020 Heisman candidate-worthy season at Florida. Critics will quip that there's irony in Trasks record-shattering 2020 season, since the guy whose single season passing yard record Trask eclipsed was Danny Wuerffel. But Trask, who has waited patiently most of his high school and college career to get the starter's nod, had a truly impressive 2020 campaign.
301 completions on 437 attempts.
68.9% completion rate.
4,283 passing yards.
43 TDs.
8 INTs.
Season passer rating of 180.
Those are gaudy numbers against some stout SEC competition.
Now, Washington fans should understand from recent history, that looking at a single season and evaluating a QB prospect is a risky proposition. But Trask had similar production in 2019 while sharing QBing duties with Feleipe Franks and Emory Jones, completing 67% of his passes for nearly 3,000 yds with 25 TDs and 7 INTs.
Most scouting reports concede - Trask is a very accurate passer with excellent ball placement ability, who is able to skillfully read defenses, play from under center or shotgun, and who is an outstanding decision-maker.
Critics will undermine Trask's 2020 accomplishments by giving credit to Florida TE Kyle Pitts, or by suggesting that Florida QBs always look good due to that school's traditional focus on the passing game. But a fair assessment reveals that Kyle Trasks calm, capable QBing and decisive accurate passing was a central to the offense's success in 2019 and 2020.
Is Kyle Trask a fit for a Scott Turner offense? I've asked this question myself, and my current answer is, I don't know. At a passing glance, perhaps not. Turner's offense seems ideally suited for QBs in the Alex Smith/Kyle Allen/Taylor Heinicke mold, guys who create a dilemma for the defense with their ability to use their feet when necessary. While Trask did show an ability to use his big body to pick up short yardage when needed, he is most definitely not a threat to beat you with his feet. On the other hand, Trask is poised in the pocket, has good awareness of pressure, can read defenses, and makes great decisions with the ability to deliver the ball on time and with accuracy. Those attributes are essential for QB success in almost any NFL offense.
In our recent podcast, we spent a lot of time talking about Kellen Mond, who is certainly an intriguing prospect, and one who absolutely fits what we think Scott Turner covets in a QB in his offense. But should the team not pick up Mond, Trask may be the most talented Day 2 QB still on the table.
Would Washington draft him as a potential future starter?
One final thought. What other teams might be most interested in Kyle Trask in the upcoming draft? It's rumored those teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New Orleans Saints, and the New England Patriots - not too shabby in terms of teams that know what's required at that position and have made a living off of being right. I think it's possible Washington may also be evaluating whether this underrated QB could be an option.
It will be interesting to see where Trask goes and which teams try to get him.
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