STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Travion Brown #82 of the Washington State Cougars sacks quarterback Tanner McKee #18 of the Stanford Cardinal during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Stanford, California. Washington State won the game 52-14. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The McKee to Success, an Addendum -Tanner McKee, the Stanford Cardinal

February 7, 2023 | William Yanish | Articles

Reading Time: 3 minutes

First Round Mock NFL Draft Analyst William Yanish believes after watching more game film that Stanford’s Tanner McKee is dropping on the draft board, and he explains why.

Looking for a later round potential sleeper at QB?

There’s a lot to like about #Stanford QB Tanner McKee
6’6 226
Big Arm (53 yard strike below)
65.4 comp %

pic.twitter.com/lDfyljQ0Ap
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) January 24, 2023

Of everything that happens as a Draft Analyst, sometimes you have to rework an evaluation. I am still a rookie, but I was certainly picked for this position.

My earlier evaluation, Man on a Mission -Tanner McKee, The Stanford Cardinal, has been bothering me. For all the talent this Stanford quarterback (QB) has, his leadership ability has been swinging, and singing in my subconscious since I finished his evaluation on Christmas Eve.

The kid has character and he has tackled adversity. He’s also a cancer survivor. However, the kid is an enigma.

I believe now that he was told by coaches what to do, and when the defenders started chasing him, all he knew to do was what he was told to do.

I’m not changing my evaluation of him, but I am changing my grade pre-draft.

McKee to be continued…

This is only a continuation, or amendment to my previous article.

I really don’t know if I would draft McKee. Taking a middle round flyer on him with a QB-needy team, would be an option.

I am shaking up my QB draft board. My BIG Three is also going to be my Top-3 prospects at each position. McKee is not included.

This kid was literally taking sacks, because I believe he was told to stay in the pocket. That doesn’t fit well with me. A QB who can’t improvise, and lead his team, is a problem. I just like those that can take a team by the reins, and rock out.

McKee has got a live arm and he can sling it.

I have heard things like Kentucky QB Will Levis’ arm was bigger than McKee’s. I was almost in tears, chuckling to myself.

The Buffalo Bills are now on the clock?

McKee is a project, but he needs a great QB coach. The going rate for a backup QB is a fifth-round pick. I’ll just tell you right now, he would be a great pick for the Buffalo Bills in the fourth-round (#128 overall) or in the fifth (#135 overall).

I have nothing, but respect for ex-QBs coach and current Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey of the Bills.

Some prospects I will give you their dream scenario, or I will give their worst nightmare.

If McKee gets on a struggling team with coaches trying to fit him in a Run-Pass Option (RPO) offense, like Stanford did last season, he will bust. That’s not what he is meant for. Guys who are 6-foot-6 and built like McKee just don’t run the RPO well.

He has all the physical talent in the world. Although, he is not very mobile, and will need an offensive line.

No BIG Three. All of the questions are his to answer. I will say projected fourth-round value. Maybe I’ll call it an addendum.

I like that.

Here is some film. Then you can see for yourself what I mean about #18. No matter the circumstances, the game film never lies.

Game film reviewed

Kansas State ’21

Utah ’22 (Not good)

Washington ’22 (Even worse)

William Yanish III is a life long football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.