Quarterback Avery Johnson Can Provide a Spark

For the second straight season, I’ve liked what I’ve seen out of Kansas State quarterback (QB) Avery Johnson, and I feel like he is trending toward a future in the NFL.

As a franchise starter?

No…

Not yet.

As a QB2 on an NFL roster?

Yes.

I’ll say this⎯

Johnson has elite speed as a runner. He can run like the wind.

I think he may even be the fastest quarterback in the NFL once he gets there.

But…

But…

What about Johnson as a passer?

Well…

What are some of Johnson’s strengths throwing the football?

• Competitive
• Poised
• Even-keeled
• Athleticism (good body flexibility and pocket escapability)
• Fancy ball handling
• Strong arm
• Keeps eyes downfield
• Has some playmaker to him
• Not afraid to stretch the field
• Short-term memory with mistakes
• Presence of mind to throw the ball away under pressure (2025: 13 sacks)
• There’s some “clutch” ability in his game

What are a couple of Johnson’s weaknesses as a passer?

• Ball security: 6 interceptions and 25 pass breakups (PBUs), 2.08 per-game-average
• Average ball placement

FYI: 26 PBUs in 13 games in 2024 (2.00 per-game-average)

What are some of Johnson’s traits that are on the fence as a passer as they relate to the NFL?

• Mix of verbal and clapping cadence
• Took a small handful of snaps under center
• Throws with below-average-to-average anticipation
• Inconsistent at protecting his body as a runner (shows he can slide and run out of bounds, but doesn’t do it consistently)

How did his deep passing game look in 2025?

Decent.

I personally charted his +20 air yard throws this past season.

• 17/40 (42.5%)

Some of his deeper passes looked like they hung up in the air a little too long, and the receiver had to wait on them. At the same time, his deep completion percentage improved from 32.5% in 2024 (14/43 +19 air yards).

What are the four biggest ongoing concerns?

I went back and re-read my previous evaluation of Johnson off of his 2024 game film, and for the second-straight season, some of the same BIG concerns showed up:

1. Becomes too tunnel-visioned at times and throws some ‘what are you thinking passes.’
2. Tendency to hold the ball too long. While he shows he can be decisive throwing the ball, he then drifts into holding the ball too long.
3. Tendency to lock in with receivers (hard-setting) before he throws.
4. Depends too much on his upper body and arm strength when throwing (which causes inaccuracy).

Cooled off down the stretch

I have no choice but to move Johnson down my draft board (a little bit).

He was also noticeably less accurate the final month of the season overall (final four games: 48.5%, 53.6%, 52.2%, and 58.8%). That’s a contrast when compared to his first eight games.

He has to be more consistent.

NFL Projection

At this point in Johnson’s evaluation⎯

I see him as a legit No. 2 behind an established superstar QB in the NFL.

He’d be perfect behind Buffalo’s QB Josh Allen.

#2 Avery Johnson 6-foot-3, 196 pounds

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

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be an Undrafted Free Agent prospect as of August 9, 2026

Former NFL Scout Gives Avery Johnson Second Round Grade (2024: 13 games)

2025 game film evaluated: Iowa State, North Dakota, Army, Arizona, UCF, Baylor, TCU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Colorado (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025: 109 rushing attempts

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Legit dual-role prospect. High energy level. Operates mostly out of shotgun formation. Can move the pocket. Decent in and out of structure. Tough. Good mobility. One-to-two read passer. Got to his third-read a couple of times. Tends to look most comfortable with his first-read throws. Pats the ball before releasing. Relaxed footwork as a passer. Best route: short-to-intermediate slants. Subject to dropped passes. Can make a man miss in the open field as a runner—average injury risk.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Getting the ball out of his hand on time?

2. Throwing risky-looking passes?

3. How does his deep passing game 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.