Colt McCoy played in DC and also played for Kliff Kingsbury, so if anyone outside the Commanders organization has an idea of which QB may fit the new regime best, it’s him.
”I love Kliff man, he's one of my favorites. A grinder who loves football, and he played quarterback at a really high level in college and a little bit in the pros, and it's fun to play for guys like him who played the position,” McCoy told Grant & Danny Tuesday. “They just see it differently. They have your back and you know their mission, and how they want the quarterback position to be played is very clear. I think Kliff is gonna have a ton of success in Washington. I'm so happy for him.”
And, what the recently-retired McCoy, now working with Underdog Fantasy to evaluate this draft class, told Grant & Danny Tuesday is that in his mind, it’s Jayden Daniels who is the guy for Washington.
“Nobody knows what's gonna happen, but I'd be shocked if Washington doesn't take Jayden at No. 2,” Colt said. “He just brings so much to the table. He can make plays with his feet when he needs to, and in Kliff's offense, I played in it for a few years and I'm probably the least athletic guy that he's had, but I think just his intangibles and his athletic ability, and he's also really accurate as a passer. If you watch all his tape, you see how at LSU he got really polished and confident; he had some great receivers to throw to, but he helped those receivers, right? He had an understanding of his offense and throwing on different levels, throwing off platform. I just feel like he has all the tools; with Kliff as his coach and the things that he brings to the table, it seems like that's a match to me.”
That said, McCoy does like Drake Maye, too.
“I think Drake is awesome, but he's a young guy, just super, super raw. He's a guy who played in two different systems just like Jayden, didn't have as much success last year, but he also lost some playmakers and had a new coach, so there was some learning a learning curve there,” Colt said. “I think Drake has a super high ceiling, kind of reminds you of a Josh Allen; I'm not comparing him, but it's just he's more athletic than what people give him credit for. He makes plays with his feet, but he also has a big arm and is not afraid to throw aggressively. There's a lot to really like from him, and a lot there for a coach to think they can coach this guy up to be a really special player in the NFL.”
Both have weaknesses, too, and will have a learning curve to the NFL, but with Kingsbury, McCoy knows what it takes, and what the coach brings.
“I think coaches are looking at just ability, talent, quick release, mechanics of the throw, and then do they fit my system and what we wanna do? The windows are tighter, so balls gotta come out sooner, more in rhythm, and that's a learning curve for everybody. But you know those two guys, when you watch them on tape, you know they'll be able to make that transition,” McCoy said. “Jayden and Drake both have high ceilings, but I just don't see that Washington passes up on Jayden at No. 2. If he gets in open space, like, good luck finding a way to get him down. He's shifty, he's quick, he's athletic, but he's shown the last couple of years, especially last year, that he can read concepts, he can drop back in rhythm, read the defense, and put the ball on the money.”
And, of course, that ability seems to be more coveted in today’s NFL.
“Accuracy is the most important thing; athletic, dual-threat, that scares the defense, but you gotta be able to make pre and post-snap decisions and throw the ball accurately from the pocket and with the pocket collapsing,” McCoy said. “You have to have the ability to stand in there and make big throws on third down. That's why Kirk Cousins and these guys who are pure passers can play for a long, long time. The ability for guys to make some plays when it breaks down is great, but they can't rely on that. What has been proven is being accurate, making big throws on third down, and situational football.”
Take a listen to more from McCoy above, including his thoughts on J.J. McCarthy and Caleb Williams, how the draft could shake out, what he’s looking at in evaluating this class, and more!