QB, Florida
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 239 lbs
Class: rs-Senior
Few players have elevated their draft stock as much in 2020 as Gators quarterback Kyle Trask. At the time of writing he leads the FBS in passing touchdowns and ranks second in passing yards. Alongside Mac Jones he is the favourite for the Heisman Trophy. The big question now is whether or not he can be a first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
You can read more of my 2021 NFL Draft content here.
Strengths
It is difficult to argue with the numbers Trask has put up in 2020. Through nine games he’s thrown for 3,238 yards and 38 touchdowns. For context, Joe Burrow had 33 at the same point in his historic, 60 touchdown 2019 season. Trask ranks third in passer rating amongst FBS quarterbacks and is one of just nine quarterbacks averaging over 10 yards per attempt.
Trask showcases good arm strength, with the ability to make plays at all levels of the field. He is pretty accurate too, with his 53 per cent completion rate on 20+ yard passes ranking fourth in the nation. You’ll be hard pressed to find a quarterback who is more assured in the pocket. That said, his toughness can occasionally turn into obliviousness.
His processing has improved substantially in 2020 and he’s able to progress through his reads if his first option is not open. His eye discipline is noteworthy too and he is excellent at manipulating safeties. All of these are traits that translate well to the NFL.
Trask has shown substantial improvements in other areas of his game this season. His technique looks much better, particularly his footwork. He has a smooth and clean release too that allows him to get the ball out quickly. One other noticeable improvement since last season is his work to improve his mechanics, allowing him to throw much more consistently to the deep and intermediate areas of the field.
Weaknesses
Despite his high level of performance, Trask remains one of the draft’s more divisive prospects. The main reason for this is his lack of mobility. Trask is a more traditional pocket passer and offers no real threat as a runner. This one dimensional play style is an increasing concern in the NFL, where athleticism is becoming increasingly important. It also does not compare favourably to many of the other quarterbacks in the 2021 class. In the NFL he will be much more dependent on solid pass protection from his offensive line.
Another concern will be his lack of experience. He didn’t even start in high school and only got an opportunity in 2019 when Felipe Franks went down injured. As a result you still see some basic mistakes on tape. One is his tendency to force passes or take sacks rather than throwing the ball away and living for another down. This can see him throw balls into double, sometimes triple coverage. This hasn’t shown up in the box score with just two interceptions in 2020, but remains an issue.
There will also be questions about Trask’s responsibility for his production. For starters, his top three receiving weapons have all been excellent after the catch, accounting for 43 per cent of their total yards in 2020. He also plays in an incredibly quarterback friendly offensive scheme under Dan Mullen. The scheme is excellent at producing open receivers and does not often rely on Trask to make tight window throws, the kind of plays he will need to make in the NFL.
Bottom Line
Trask has been one of college football’s best players in 2020. If he were coming out a decade or two ago he would be a sure-fire first rounder and potential top ten pick. The NFL has changed a lot since then though and his lack of mobility will severely impact his draft stock. There will be concerns about his scheme dependency too. Trask has the potential to become a starter at the next level, but he will be more scheme specific than some of his draft classmates. I have him as a day two prospect, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes higher.
Big Board Rank: #63
Positional Rank: #6
