Maybe “Damn Good” QB Is Not So Crazy?
April 20th, 2021
Quarterback chatter.
Maybe Peter Schrager wasn’t off his rocker?
The closet Bucs fan and popular co-host of “Good Morning Football,” seen weekday mornings on NFL Network, recently guessed the Bucs would draft sparsely-used, bad-knees Stanford quarterback Davis Mills at No. 32.
Mills, who came into college ball as a heralded dropback, pro-style quarterback, has only had 11 college starts and has mediocre numbers, including a 65 percent completion percentage (19th-ranked in college football last year). That completion percentage, for an NFL prospect, is dangerously close to Jay Cutler territory.
Mills also has had two ACL injuries. Ruh-roh.
So of course Schrager’s suggestion that the Bucs would draft Mills at No. 32 was met by howls from Bucs fans.
Perhaps we should rethink that? No less an authority than prickly Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has gone through the tape of Mills at Stanford. And Prisco has given Mills his stamp of approval as a future quality NFL signal-caller.
Watched more Davis Mills today. He will be a damn good NFL quarterback. I thought it early in the process, but now more than ever. He threw 2 really bad interceptions against UCLA, but came back to rally his team from down 14 late with some big-time throws. Says a lot about him.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) April 20, 2021
Joe would not be opposed to drafting a quarterback to groom to someday replace park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, Bucs-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
Joe has been clear for months there may not be a better incubator for a young quarterback than the Bucs have now, given the superior coaching staff, superior pass catchers and the opportunity to learning by observing how the best-ever goes about his business.
In the recent past, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians has hinted he may draft a quarterback. Whether that is just a major draft smokescreen is unclear.
Would Mills be the right pick at No. 32? Seems a bit high. Then again, quarterbacks are often over-drafted so it is very possible Mills isn’t there when the Bucs pick at No. 64.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:18 am
Wouldn’t it be destiny if we drafted a dynasty QB in the sixth round and he’s a Brady clone.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:22 am
If Licht pulls that off he may have a bust in Canton in 20 years.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Wait till next year to draft a QB first round. Tommy still has gas in the tank. One year sitting behind Tommy should be enough. I say wait. Give Tommy more weapons. Or sign AB and then draft QB
April 20th, 2021 at 11:28 am
No context comment:
Trade the farm for Spencer Rattler, bay-BEE!!!
April 20th, 2021 at 11:32 am
Mills seems like an excellent prospect/project. Maybe second round but not the first selection. Priority is D – OLB.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:44 am
Joe, you gotta stop making references to GMF. Licht was talking so much about able to get the BPA for the future. Mills the BPA for the future at 32 is hilarious. If I’m wrong, my credibility at JBF will be stripped forever.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:53 am
It’s one of the most popular shows on sports network TV that doesn’t invent arguments just for the sake of hollering. Why on earth would Joe not want to reference it???
Joe knows exactly who Peter Schrager talks to. And Schrager is plugged in. Kyle Brandt talks to players. Nate Burleson was a player. Joe sees zero reason why he wouldn’t want to pay heed to what they say knowing their backgrounds and sources.
April 20th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
pick a 6th rounder with stones like TB
April 20th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Joe
“I’ll tell you a story. This is a newspaper. It’s 90 percent bullish!t, but it entertains me.”- Training Day
Did you really just back it up with it’s one of the most popular??? Maybe the corniest. At least Skip knows his sh!t about the Bucs. I’ll listen to Nate, but I’m afraid to tell you they talk Tom Brady and the next QB for the Bucs every session for ratings. Come on Joe. You know better than that. Go on that show and they know two things about the Bucs. One is Brady. Two is we brought all our starters back. Have a sit down with them about the other MAJOR fixes in the VERY NEAR future, and i guarantee they know jack sh!t.
So close to the draft I’m taking (wanting) Creed Humphrey at 32 or trade back.
April 20th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
1st round – Landon Dickerson
2nd round – Quinn Meinerz
April 20th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
You clearly missed the phrase about “invent arguments.” Unless you truly believe Skip and Shannon are sincere.
April 20th, 2021 at 12:57 pm
A center in round 1? Hmmm, not very exciting. Still think we need an edge rusher at 32 if we can get one we like. Need to be 3 deep for pure pass rushers if possible.
April 20th, 2021 at 1:10 pm
Would be really surprised if the drafted a qb at 32 probably not likely
April 20th, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Joe,
A 65% completion percentage is not bad. Heck, Tom Brady’s career completion percentage is 64%. Jay Cutler’s was 62%. My concern with Mills is his injury history and limited snaps, but the Bucs have the luxury right now to sit him to let him learn from a legend and a really good coaching staff.
April 20th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
It’s so hit or miss with young QB’s. I’d love to have the future of the franchise but will he be there come 32? One thing you get from Brady, it’s not about athleticism as much as it is being calm in the pocket and smart. I’ve heard Mills has those qualities, if so I think it could be a great pick.
April 20th, 2021 at 2:55 pm
For college it’s not bad. Cutler’s was under 60.
Read an article once that has long ago been lost to the internet that did research on quarterbacks’ completion percentages related to the draft. The article was right before the 2009 draft.
In the article, it stated any QB with under 60 percent completion percentage in college was a virtual certainty to bust out in the NFL. The list was gnarly and included the likes of Jim Drunkenmiller. On that list, the best quarterback who had any remote success in the NFL was Cutler.
In a perfect world, a quarterback in college should have 70 or over to make a good NFL prospect.
Oh, and guess who else was listed (though not yet in the NFL) who had a below-60 percent completion percentage in college?
Josh Freeman.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
No, this is too much of a gamble and I’m pretty sure the guy will drop well into the 2nd and maybe later. TWO ACL injuries. Nah, I doubt most teams would cry if he proved everyone wrong, it’s just too much unknown with this guy.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Davis Mills a great prospect. None of the fans knew about him because the early mock guys under evaluated him. The Scouts and GM’s have not.
It is so funny that fans can want us to take Jayson Oweh for his potential but somehow want to act like the potential of Davis Mills is not as exciting.
I watched his pro day. It was the best pro day of any QB this year. He ran a 4.58 second 40-yard dash. Most importantly, Mills was outstanding throwing the ball. He completed 50 out of 54 passes during a windy, rainy day.
Game play is more important but again as a prospect he is right up there with anyone.
Personally want one of the talented CB’s at the end of the 1st. However, if it came down to taking an edge guy like Oweh or taking QB Mills – then Mills would be the pick in my opinion.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:22 pm
IF he’s the guy Arians and staff want, you don’t take him at 32 nor do you wait until 64. Trade back into Rd 2 and take him in the 40-50 range. Use your other picks for best available O- and D-line.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Mills is a decent prospect. Very small sample size for a QB. Not before round 3, if at all.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
QBs are always overdrafted. If he has the upside people talk about, round 2 isn’t unreasonable for Mills, as long as his knees are sound and he’s got the head for being an NFL QB.
April 20th, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Our QB of the future isn’t in this draft. I’m thinking Carson Strong from Nevada, maybe next years draft
April 20th, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Windbaggery
RT at #13 isn’t very exciting either. But look how that turned out. Dude is a rock. Need to continue building the young oline before Brady ends up on his back or this Stills gets another Achilles. One year under Jensen and Brady we got a stud center in the future. And when I said trade back, Joe Tryon on the edge is my boy.
April 20th, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Pete Prisco says:
He threw 2 really bad interceptions against UCLA, but came back to rally his team from down 14 late with some big-time throws. Says a lot about him.
OMG! No! five years of loser Jameis Winston was enough! Bucs are better off without turnover prone quarterbacks!
April 20th, 2021 at 6:07 pm
Is there a chart that shows qb success by draft round?
April 20th, 2021 at 7:24 pm
ONLY if he’s there in the 3rd. We need OL/DL depth still.
April 20th, 2021 at 7:31 pm
If you think a QB can play, you take him in the 1st, no matter the amateur fan projections. As for the pick, I’d do whatever would make Brady the most happy. The Bucs have never signed a QB they drafted to a 2nd contract, so why waste a pick on someone you’re just going to get rid of anyways. No, draft another WR if you can’t bring Brown back, or get an interior OL to add depth this year and have them ready to take over next year. Anyways what the Bucs should do is play Brady as long as he’s willing to keep going, then move on to another veteran QB. The Bucs have won two SB’s, one with Brady, one with Brad Johnson, so the important part is making sure the name of the QB has B-R-A-D in it somewhere.
April 20th, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Like this offense- this all star offense,
Is gonna want a Rookie QB when Brady retires!
Lol
You guys are smoking the good stuff
When Brady retires( hopefully years from now), this team is gonna have to trade for the best Vet QB they can afford- and keep on chooglin!
They ARENT gonna want to put up with a rookies growing pains!
April 20th, 2021 at 9:28 pm
Pick 32 is easy…
Just take the best available player…And if that’s the plan, I’m 1000% sure Davis Mills wont be the pick…
Jaime Newman is a sleeper imo, and he’ll probably be available day 2 or 3…
April 20th, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Brady has deep seeded insecurities about his job. He wouldn’t be happy if they take one high. Why would you waste the time anyway? You’ll suck plenty when he retires. Draft a qb then.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:02 pm
I take that back, you drafted winston last time. Don’t draft one ever. Better start the cloning process, or take a page from the movie Ted 2.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Prisco’s track record at opining on QBs is bad. He loved Johnny Manziel for example.