By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Stanford produced a number of pro-style quarterbacks during the impressive run of former head coach David Shaw, and McKee is the final one following Shaw’s resignation after the 2022 season. In 2021, McKee became the Cardinal starter and completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,327 yard, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Stanford struggled in 2022, plus a number of the program’s receivers were injured. McKee connected on 62 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,947 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
McKee has traits that project to him having the potential to become a NFL starter, or at least a solid backup. Possessing both big size and a quality arm, McKee shows pocket-passing ability, standing tall and delivering the ball with solid mechanics. He has nice footwork while utilizing a smooth delivery and release. That leads to McKee throwing a very catchable ball and gives him the ability to loft in touch passes down field. With nice timing and anticipation, McKee 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 toward quarterbacks with running ability and athleticism, but McKee does not fit that trend. While he isn’t a complete statue, he is not a running threat and will not be a quarterback who can frustrate a defense with his mobility. As a passer, McKee needs to speed up the process and get faster at working through his progressions.
McKee should have gone back to school to get more playing experience before moving on to the NFL, but he decided to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. McKee could start out as a backup as a pro, but he has the arm talent to contend for a starting role. McKee has a shot at being a second-day pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he could end up as a mid-rounder.
Player Comparison: Derek Anderson. In terms of skill set and playing style, McKee is reminiscent of Anderson. They are almost identical in size with capable arms and pocket passers. Anderson was more of a backup, and I could see McKee being similar in the NFL.
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