2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Davis Mills





  • Davis Mills, 6-4/217

  • Quarterback

  • Stanford


  • Davis Mills Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Quality mechanics
  • Smooth delivery
  • Good size
  • Quality arm
  • Stands tall in pocket
  • Can work off first read, but developing
  • Lofts ball well
  • Throws a catchable ball
  • Able to loft in touch passes
  • Stands tall in the pocket
  • Good timing
  • Shows anticipation
  • Quality decision-maker
  • Pocket composure
  • Good fit in a West Coast offense




  • Weaknesses:
  • Quality arm strength, but not elite
  • Not a running threat, lacks mobility
  • Ball placement needs improvement
  • Spotty field vision
  • Needs to speed up the process
  • Limited experience


  • Summary: Mills was a star recruit coming out Georgia and ended up at Stanford. After a redshirt 2018 season, Mills took over in 2019 once K.J. Costello was injured. That season, Mills completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,960 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was then the full-time starter in 2020, but he was also limited by the shortened Pac-12 season. He completed 66 percent of his passes on the year for 1,508 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

    Mills has traits that project to him having the ability to develop into a NFL starter. He has good size and a quality arm that help him perform in the pocket, where he will stand tall and deliver the ball with solid mechanics. Mills has nice footwork while showing a smooth delivery and release. That combination leads to Mills throwing a very catchable ball and having the ability to loft in touch passes down field. With nice timing and anticipation, Mills can beat good coverage by dropping in passes to his receivers. He showed reliable decision-making and ball security at Stanford.



    The NFL is trending towardsquarterbacks with running ability and athleticism, but Mills does not fit that trend. While he isn’t a statue, he is not a running threat and will not be a quarterback who has frustrating mobility. Mills still needs to improve his ball placement and has spotty field vision. At times, he scans the field, and at other times, he struggles to get beyond his first read. Mills needs to speed up the process and get faster at working through his progressions.

    As a football player, there is no doubt that Mills needs development, and starting only 11 games in college has slowed down his maturation. Mills should have gone back to school to get more playing experience before moving on to the NFL, but he decided to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. Mills could start out as a backup in the NFL, but he possesses the physical talent to develop into a pro starter. He has a shot at being a second-day pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and could be a mid-rounder.



    Player Comparison: Andy Dalton. In terms of skill set and playing style, Mills reminds me of Dalton. If Mills turns into a solid backup or starter, he could be a Dalton-style quarterback.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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