STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tanner McKee #18 of the Stanford Cardinal drops back to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Tanner McKee Reminds Former NFL Scout of Mac Jones

September 1, 2022 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

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Tanner McKee makes it look easy, and nothing is a greater predictor of success at the next level.

It was uncanny watching the Stanford quarterback (QB), and just how much he reminded me of watching QB Mac Jones when he was coming out of Alabama in 2021.

It was uncanny because both share one thing in common – – phenomenal downfield ball placement.

What’s the big deal about ball placement?

Ball placement is not the same thing as completion percentage.

Good ball placement is when the QB puts the ball exactly where it needs to be, so the receiver can run right through the catch and pick up additional yardage.

Some QB’s have a good completion percentage solely because they have great receivers who can jump and dive all over the place to make circus catches. That is not what I mean by good ball placement.

I am learning more and more about the importance of great downfield ball placement. It is the thing that really struck me about Jones, and it is the thing that jumped out at me about McKee.

Watching McKee throw the ball in the short to intermediate route levels is like watching someone throwing darts and hitting bullseyes at a bar.

It’s often right where it needs to be.

McKee has been tested by fire

At 16 years old, McKee had cancer.

The way the story goes according The San Francisco Chronicle, even his mom found peace through her son’s composure the day he went in for surgery back in 2016.

“A biopsy of a mole on top of McKee’s head had revealed melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.”

To compound the issue, according to the report, the lymph nodes that needed to be surgically removed were near a nerve that could affect McKee’s throwing motion.

“He was just very calm,” Layna McKee (his mom) said. “I kind of took his lead.”

McKee has shown that leadership at Stanford

Within that same article, Stanford Head Coach David Shaw said last season, “Tanner doesn’t look like a guy in the first half of his first year starting. He looks like a veteran.”

“I’ve never seen him look fazed. I love his energy,” said Stanford fullback Houston Heimuli.

Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins added, “He’s a gritty dude.”

#18 Tanner McKee 6-foot-6, 230 pounds

Daniel Kelly Grade: First Round (15-32) Early Fall 2022 Report

FIRST ROUND MOCK BIG BOARD: QB3

Projected by 11.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick (consensus No . 24 overall) as of September 1, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: USC, Washington, ASU (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of Competition: High

2021 stats: 206/315 (65.4%) 2,327 yards (7.4 avg.), 15 TD, 7 INT.

NFL Comparable: Mac Jones

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Pure pocket passer who stands tall in the pocket with a big league arm. Brings a presence to the field. Has an air of maturity setting up to throw. Remains poised and downfield minded while surveying the field. Maintains excellent downfield focus despite being a dinosaur with limited mobility. Shows toughness and willingness to stare down the barrel of the pass rush before firing. Possesses a cannon for an arm, but can also take something off and deliver touch passes. Top shelf short to intermediate ball placement. Excels throwing slants, working up the seams and working the sidelines. Throws an easy ball to catch. Biggest weaknesses is he will take sacks (2021: 24), has a tendency to lock in with receivers and the inconsistency with his deep game. There is also the concern Stanford lost 7/10 games with him as the starter last season. Has the tools.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

Is he getting away from locking in with receivers?
Is he more consistent with his deep passing game?
Is he throwing the ball away more to avoid taking sacks and yardage losses?
What is Stanford’s record in 2022 with him as the starter?

McKee has the look and feel of becoming a franchise QB in the NFL. How he answers these four questions will determine his path.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.