2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kellen Mond





  • Kellen Mond, 6-2/205

  • Quarterback

  • Texas A&M


  • Kellen Mond Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Quality skill set
  • Strong arm
  • Can push the ball vertically
  • Can fire fastballs into tight windows
  • Quick release
  • Can buy time with his feet
  • Capable of picking up yards on the ground
  • Can throw some perfect passes
  • Good amount of playing experience; 3-year starter
  • Avoided turnovers
  • Good ball security
  • Quality intangibles
  • Upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Inconsistent
  • Streaky passer
  • Narrow frame
  • Mechanical passer
  • Inconsistent accuracy
  • Needs to improve his feet
  • Throws a flat ball
  • Predetermined passes
  • Needs to improve putting air underneath the ball


  • Summary: Mond was a top recruit coming out of high school and decided to go to Texas A&M. In 2018, the Aggies hired Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State and Fisher got to work developing Mond. Fisher groomed three future first-round quarterbacks with the Seminoles, Jameis Winston, E.J. Manuel, and Christian Ponder, so he has a track record of producing prospects for the next level. Mond took over as the starter in 2018, completing 57 percent of his passes for 3,107 yards with 24 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. Mond improved during his second year under Fisher, completing 62 percent of his passes in 2019 for 2,897 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions while running for 500 yards and eight touchdowns. Mond considered entering the 2020 NFL Draft, but he wisely decided to return to school,as NFL sources felt he needed more development in college before going pro.

    Mond completed 63 percent of his passes in 2020 for 2,282 yards, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions. The senior added four rushing touchdowns and some solid yardage on the ground. He played well in leading the Aggies to comeback upset over Florida and was respectable against Alabama, but he turned in ugly performances against LSU and Vanderbilt.

    From the perspective of physical skills, Mond has the tools to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He is tall enough and has a strong arm capable of making all the throws required. To go along with arm talent, Mond is a good athlete who has running ability to avoid pressure and can create some positive plays for his offense using his feet. He is a threat in short-yardage situations and is a dual-threat quarterback who can hurt defenses on read-option plays. However, Mond seems to run only when all other options are exhausted, and he is not a dynamic or aggressive runner like a Lamar Jackson or a Deshaun Watson. Mond does a nice job of moving in the pocket to buy time and scramble his way into a positive play when blocking breaks down. Mond is a streaky and inconsistent player though and needs to continue to improve significantly in order to become a starter at the next level.



    As a passer, Mond has a strong arm with the ability to really spin the ball. He can push the ball vertically downfield with the ability to throw a tight spiral into small windows. While Mond can be a bit mechanical in the pocket, he has a quick release and shows the ability to throw some superb passes on the run. At times, Mond has the look of a competent passer, but he lacks consistency and is streaky. He runs hot and cold from week to week and during stretches in games. Mond has to vastly improve his reliability and efficiency.

    The biggest issue with Mond is a lack of accuracy. At times, he throws some perfect well-placed passes that are things of beauty. But he also sails passes off the mark regularly. The lack of accuracy and precision are big hurdles for Mond to become a NFL starter. Mond’s issues start from the ground up, as his footwork is inconsistent, and that leads to him being inaccurate. Mond showed some improvement during his junior and senior years, but he needs to make a big jump to become a pro starter.

    On top of his accuracy, Mond needs to continue to improve his field vision and ability to throw touch passes. He throws a flat ball sometime, and that is a common issue with big-armed quarterbacks who grow reliant on throwing fast balls.

    Mond has solid intangibles according to team contacts. Some team sources said they gave Mond a third-round grade, but others have him graded on Day 3. Mond has an outside shot of sneaking into the third round, but his more likely range is the fifth or sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.



    Player Comparison: Josh Dobbs. Some team source see Mond as a poor man’s Colin Kaepernick, and others think he is a better version of Josh Dobbs. Dobbs (6-3, 216) and Mond are similar in size and possess some athleticism to go with arm strength. Dobbs was a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and Mond could go in that range in the 2021 NFL Draft. Dobbs’ limitations as a passer lead to him being a NFL backup, and Mond could follow a similar career track.






    RELATED LINKS:


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


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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