The Mountain West has produced some successful quarterbacks over the years, notably Derek Carr and Josh Allen, and Carson Strong looks to follow their lead.
The Nevada product has spent the last three years playing in the program's Air Raid offense and has arguably been the conference's best offensive player over the last two years, throwing for 4,175 yards this past season — eighth-best in the FBS.
Here's more on what to know about Strong:
Measurables: 6’4”/215
School: Nevada
2021 stats: 4,175 passing yards, 36 TDs, 8 INT, 70.1 completion percentage, 8 yards per attempt
Accolades: Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year (2020), set school record with 36 TDs (2021), Nevada's Offensive Scout Player of the Year (2018), first freshman to start at Nevada in 20 years
Strengths: When it comes to arm strength, Carson Strong may have the strongest arm in the draft class. He can make a 60-yard pass downfield look easy. He also has accuracy and precision on his throws, fitting the ball into tight windows. He protects the football well and displays patience in the pocket. He was a team captain regarded for his leadership qualities, too.
Weaknesses: Strong is a pure pocket passer, which seems to be a dying breed in the current NFL. Lack of mobility can lead him to force the ball under pressure in the pocket. Strong also tends to linger on his primary receiver a little too long. Perhaps most concerning is his injury history. Strong has been dealing with a lingering right knee issue since high school that is a cause for concern among draft evaluators. He had cartilage in the knee cleaned out after the 2020 season and another procedure to clear scar tissue in August. He's had the knee drained multiple times since and questions remain if he can stay healthy in the NFL.
NFL comp: Joe Flacco
What experts are saying:
"While he possesses the physical skills to start at the next level, Strong never developed at Nevada. He’s a nice-sized pocket passer and one of the best arm talents we’ve seen in the draft over the past 20 years. But oftentimes, Strong is too intent on launching deep passes (which he was able to get away with at Nevada), and he never developed as a short or intermediate passer. Strong comes with tremendous upside, and if he is medically cleared by teams, could eventually develop into a starting quarterback if he develops as a total passer." - Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network
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