Gophers’ QB Drake Lindsey Leaves Lasting Impression

University of Minnesota quarterback (QB) Drake Lindsey closed out the season in dramatic fashion. He threw one of his best-looking passes of the season.

I’m still trying to figure out⎯

Was it luck?

–or–

Was it skill?

Either way, Lindsey threw it, and his team won 20-17 in overtime.

It was a big league pass.

How did Lindsey look the rest of the season on game film?

Too inconsistent.

Did he do some things well from an NFL perspective?

Yes.

Did he struggle with doing other things from an NFL perspective?

Yes.

Flashed NFL-level starting quarterback upside

Keyword: flashed.

There was enough to Lindsey at this point in his development to lead me to believe he has some redeeming NFL value. He did some good things where I was like, “Yeah, okay…”

But again, at the risk of sounding repetitive, I repeat, he flashed these things. In other words, it wasn’t dependable.

But it was enough to leave me intrigued.

What NFL traits did Lindsey flash?

• Got to his second or third reads
• Ability to get the ball out of his hand faster
• Throws with anticipation
• Layering passes (sometimes he puts extra “loft” on his passes to get them above the reach of defenders)

Decision-making woes

This is where the Lindsey hype train goes off the tracks for me.

One of the most important traits an NFL starter (or backup) has to have is the ability to make good throwing decisions.

Time and time again⎯

Consistently⎯

Lindsey kept making poor throwing decisions with the football.

I was like, “Oh no, why did you throw that pass?”

“What were you thinking?”

What was the second-worst thing about Lindsey’s game?

Lindsey left a lot to be desired when he was under pressure. His throwing mechanics tended to go out the window. He rushed his throws and made some throws “falling away.”

I’m not making this stuff up either.

Pro Football Focus confirmed the game film. Lindsey’s “under pressure” completion percentage this past season was 44.7%.

Ball security concerns

TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL.

This is another really important thing for quarterbacks to do in the NFL.

Unfortunately, this is another issue for Lindsey.

In addition to Lindsey’s six interceptions last season, I chicken-scratched an additional 34 passes of his that were broken up (PBUs) in the 12 games of film that were available (2.83 PBUs per game average).

Downfield inaccuracy

Another concern?

Yep.

Lindsey’s downfield throwing capabilities were not up to par.

I chicken-scratched 39 attempts that traveled 20+ air yards.

How many of these did he complete?

11.

That’s 28.2%.

Yet, I still like him…

But at the right value.

I’m not as high on Lindsey as the “consensus.” They have him as a second-round value (NFL Mock Draft Database).

No way. No how.

However, I still have a “feeling” about Lindsey. The moments he “flashed” were that good.

He left me wanting to see more.

#5 Drake Lindsey 6-foot-5, 230 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Spring Grade: Sixth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Second-Round prospect as of July 6, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Buffalo, CAL, Rutgers, Ohio State, Purdue, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and New Mexico (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 time to throw 2.61 seconds (Pro Football Focus)

Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle played at Arkansas (Yahoo.com)

Underage drinking arrest (Fox9)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Raw arm talent prospect. Fluid. Athletic. Acclimated quickly. Took snaps under center. Average pocket awareness and behind the line of scrimmage mobility. Average play-action fake. Allows himself to become too overcrowded in the pocket at times. Can get swallowed by the pass rush. Tends to take sacks and yardage losses. Sometimes pats the ball pre-delivery. Flashes the ability to go through his progressions. Tends to throw with below-average to average anticipation. Leans toward making first-read throws. Misses too many layups. Can power throws into the intermediate route level (10-19 yards). Best throws are 10 and outs. Average overall ball placement (63.2%). Tries to aim and steer the ball too much. Not a threat with his legs (34 rushing attempts). Average at protecting his body as a runner.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Making good throwing decisions?

2. Bad-looking passes when pressure is closing in?

3. How do his downfield +20 air yard throws look?

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 is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.