Case File No. 41: Patrick Mahomes

 

Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Today, I take look at Patrick Mahomes, who will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the best quarterback ever. 

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-2 WT: 225

Credentials:

3x Super Bowl Champion

3x Super Bowl MVP

2x NFL MVP

Offensive Player of the Year (2018)

3x All-Pro

6x Pro Bowl

Strengths:

-Unheralded leader

-Great clutch player

-Exceptional poise in the pocket

-Great pocket presence

-Accurate

-Great timing and anticipation

-Can make all the throws

-Can make accurate throws from awkward throwing angles

-Great at reading and manipulating defenses

Weaknesses:

-Occasionally will try to force the big play

-Occasionally will try to force the ball in multiple coverages

Final Analysis:

Patrick is a rare talent. To me, he's in a league of his own. It's almost like watching a "Create-a-Player" on Madden, where you set all of the attributes to 99. He has absolute command of the huddle, and respect from his teammates.

He has poise in the pocket; he's smart with the ball, his throws are usually accurate and with a nice touch, but he can also rifle it in there--the latter can his weakness sometimes, which I'll get to in a little bit--and he has great timing and anticipation. I've heard some claim forcing him to play from the pocket is the best way to stop him, but I've seen him beat teams that way. 

He can make all the throws, and he can accurately make throws from awkward throwing angles or body positions. He can make plays from the pocket, as well as with his feet. An excellent clutch player.

It's difficult finding a glaring weakness in his game. At times he will get impatient and try to force the big play versus taking what the defense gives him. Although he has improved in this area, he will revert back to that occasionally. Like most quarterbacks with great or rare arm strength, he can get too confident in his arm and force the ball in multiple coverages at times. The Catch-22 to that is he usually completes the pass, but there are times when it comes back to bite him.

The way he plays the game is unique, to say the least. I've never seen anybody like in the NFL like him. Now in his ninth year, he accomplished more in his first eight years than most quarterbacks will their entire career. He had an off year by his standards, but there's no doubt in my mind that he will bounce back. He will definitely go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the greatest.

Case File No. 40: Demond Williams Jr.

 

Photo Credit: John Froschauer/ AP Photo.

Today, I take a look at Demond Williams Jr., a quarterback I think has impressive tools, plays bigger than his size, and showed Heisman potential during the first half of the season.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 5-11 WT: 190

College: Washington

Class: Sophmore

Strengths:

-Very good pocket presence

-Accurate

-Very good timing and anticipation on throws

-Can make all the throws

-Can make plays with his arm and feet

-Plays bigger than his size

Weaknesses:

-Diminutive frame

-Doesn't play too well against top-tier opponents

-Must be smarter as a runner

Final Analysis:

I think there's a lot to like about Demond's game. He shows very good poise in the pocket; he goes through his progressions, and usually makes the right decisions. He makes pretty, accurate throws on short, immediate, and deep throws. He has really good timing and anticipation on most throws. He can make plays with his arm and feet effectively.

I find myself saying this about a lot of quarterbacks nowadays, and although he has shown durability, his diminutive frame could be an issue at the next level. I noticed that his high level of play isn't the same against top-tier teams (i.e., Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana) vs. the mid-tier to lower level teams. He needs to be smarter as a runner; he takes unnecessary hits sometimes.

Demond has tremendous upside and showed plenty of promise his sophmore season. He reminds me a little of Jayden Daniels (his last two seasons at LSU) and Bryce Young when he played for Alabama. I think another season in school will do him some good. If he continues to develop and gets better in the big games, he could be a Heisman candidate-- if he's not already-- heading into next season.