Intriguing Choice
April 8th, 2021
Talks Bucs draft.
Hey, if you are going for development, why not?
Joe wrote here weeks ago that it’s acceptable for the Bucs to draft Alabama quarterback Mac Jones at No. 32. Some mock drafts still had him on the board at that time.
In recent days, Jones lasting through the first round seems far-fetched.
Lately, Joe has read former scouts on Twitter raving about Stanford quarterback Davis Mills, who is a pro-style quarterback (meaning he can throw but he cannot run). Now, a prominent NFL insider thinks Mills playing for the Bucs is not an absurd thought.
Closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager, co-host of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” decided to come out with his mock draft (Joe hopes it is his last — why do mock drafts if you change them each week?) and he has the Bucs drafting Mills at No. 32.
Now this seems like a reach. For example, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Mills as a third-round selection (he has Kyle Trask going in the fourth round, for example). Remember, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians just said he is not opposed to drafting a quarterback for development to back up Tom Brady.
And per Brugler, that is exactly what Mills is: development. While he shows some elite traits, he needs polishing.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Stanford, Mills operated in offensive coordinator Tavita Pritchard’s pro-style scheme and split his snaps from under center and shotgun. The No. 1 quarterback in the 2017 recruiting class (ahead of Tua Tagovailoa), his college career was interrupted by the left knee injury from high school and then a COVID-shortened 2020 season and he finished with basically one full year of starting experience. A loose, well-built passer, Mills shows the ability to scan, operate from various platforms and throw with touch/anticipation. He is one of the best middle-of-the-field passers in the draft, but needs time to grow and eliminate the “what are you doing?” plays from his tape. Overall, Mills is still learning the throws he should and shouldn’t make, but he has size and mobility and delivers a very catchable ball with the field-reading skills to be a developmental NFL starter, although the health of his left knee is a strong concern.
Well, Joe knows who Schrager talks to, so this is not an absurd take. He’s tight with a lot of shot-callers in the NFL. So the feedback he must be getting is that Mills isn’t as awful as some think.
Given what Joe has read from former scouts, where Mills is selected may surprise people.
Another added element: Arians does not like running quarterbacks. Mills doesn’t run a whole lot. And hey, if the guy went to Stanford, he ought to be able to pick up Arians’ playbook.
Joe will remind readers that the Bucs currently have no backup quarterbacks on the roster unless you consider reserve wide receiver and former Florida State, Auburn and “Last Chance U” quarterback John Franklin a backup quarterback.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:37 am
Brady runs this team & he wants no QB in draft.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:38 am
Maybe 2nd round.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:42 am
I don’t know if Mills is the one or not. I’m sure the Bucs scouts have assessed the potential of all QBs in this year’s draft. As long as they get one, I’m good. Don’t care if it’s the first or sixth round. Just get one and start developing him. If he doesn’t pan out, the post-Arians coach can draft another. But at least give this a shot. With Brady and all the QB-oriented coaches, it would be malfeasance not bring a young QB into this organization and began mentoring him in the ways of a successful QB in the NFL. Please don’t waste this unique opportunity.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:44 am
No, not with a first round pick. I say 3rd rnd for Mills.
April 8th, 2021 at 11:47 am
knee issues. no thanks…not at that age anyway
April 8th, 2021 at 11:47 am
Might be a good time to trade out of the 1st round, get more picks, & draft him in the 2nd?
April 8th, 2021 at 11:50 am
Next year for the QB…..
Maybe this year in a later round….
April 8th, 2021 at 11:51 am
I like the pick but with the Bucs second round. Looks like outside of the top 5 QB’s he has the most upside with talent. He certainly has the arm strength to make every NFL throw.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Any QB the Bucs draft should have at least average mobility. It would be stupid to draft a Glennonesque statue. This is the 2020s not the 1970s. Brady is a freaky exception.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Never pick a QB before the 6th round.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
I’m more impressed by Fehoko, the WR.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Intriguing just doesn’t get it for me……interesting….nope…..how about fantastic……
April 8th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Mills ran a 4.66 40 pretty good athlete
April 8th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Psych. And Trask is an early round bust. JPP, Jensen, Suh are all UDFA in 2022. Gotta start rebuilding the trenches, especially if it’s gonna be guys that can watch and learn for a year.
April 8th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
my man schrager only does two mock drafts a year and he is actually really good. well connected. so he isnt blowing smoke
April 8th, 2021 at 12:29 pm
remember the last time we drafted a quarterback that didnt understand how to address the “what are you doing typle of plays?” my god please not another jameis
April 8th, 2021 at 12:30 pm
*UFA
April 8th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
We should bring in QB Alex Smith as backup.
April 8th, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Chris Thomas from Heaven Says:
April 8th, 2021 at 11:37 am
untrue on both counts
April 8th, 2021 at 1:02 pm
He will not be the BPA at that pick.
April 8th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
Kellen Mond has really developed into a nice quarterback and would possibly be there in the 3rd round.
April 8th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Dline, then maybe a QB!
April 8th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Bucs should focus in getting steals, BPA at 32, 64, 96 and should reinforce trenches. QB is a possibility if its a steal but not the Stanford QB in the first round, if that was BPA somehow trade down. I wonder what the scouts have found in minor teams, that has been a strength in Licht’s scouting team. Peter Schraeger was trying to be funny with his 6 QBs in the first round take. I personally would like a LB to sit behind Lavonte and a strong O line prospect. I haven’t seen replacement for either Suh or JPP in the draft, not convinced by Oweh nor Barmore.
April 8th, 2021 at 3:15 pm
I bet AnyOne that Trask has a better NFL career than other QBs in this draft not named Lawrence or Wilson.
April 8th, 2021 at 4:46 pm
looked like a highlight clip for #13 the wide receiver
April 8th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Not in the first 2 rounds. So let’s shoot for 3rd or 4th round. We need OL and DL depth.
April 8th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
The Bucs have never signed a QB they drafted to a 2nd contract, why exactly do we expect this to change? The team has won 2 SB’s with veteran QBs – not guys they developed in house. Stop wasting picks on QBs – just build a good team and plug in a veteran. Rodgers should be hitting FA about the time that Brady hangs it up, he’d be a good plug and play fit.
April 8th, 2021 at 9:02 pm
@Cobraboy
I was thinking the same thing. I liked his WR’s.
April 9th, 2021 at 1:54 am
Run first QB in college never make it in the NFL … From Tebow to Jackson, once you get to the playoffs level these teams have a good enough defense and know how to stop running QBs …. You have to be able to pass from the pocket and make quick reads and be extremely accurate to be a successful NFL QB …. If you can only make 2 reads then have to take off while missing wide open 3rd options then you will not be a good NFL QB
April 9th, 2021 at 1:56 am
The only running QB that I can think of that had extreme success in the NFL was Steve Young… That guy could do both!!