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.

Case File No. 39: Jalen Milroe

 

Jalen Milroe. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images.

Today, I dig into the file of Jalen Milroe, winner of the William V. Campbell trophy (considered an academic version of the Heisman), and is a prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-2 WT: 216

College: Alabama

Class: Senior

Credentials:

William V. Campbell Trophy (2024)

Second-Team All-SEC (2023)

Strengths:

-Intangibles

-Powerful arm, an accurate deep ball

-A threat as a runner 

Weaknesses:

-Pocket game needs improvement 

-Lacks touch on some throws

-Inconsistent

-Turnover prone in the red zone

-Relies too much on his legs

Final Analysis:

One of the traits that stand out to me about Jalen is his resiliency. When he was benched the season before last, he could've easily complained or did something low brow, but he dealt with it admirably, and became a starter again the following week and didn't look back.

He's not easily rattled and will persevere and rally the team when they fall behind, whether it was comebacks or near comebacks.

He has a rocket arm and a deep ball that's pretty and accurate. He's capable of producing explosive plays as a runner.

While he's usually accurate with his deep ball, his overall pocket game needs work. To his credit, he improved compared to his previous years, but it's still an area of improvement such as his accuracy on intermediate throws, and his decision making isn't always the best.

During the first half of last season, he looked like a potential Heisman candidate, but in the second half, he looked like the erratic Jalen Milroe from previous years.

While he has made plays in the red zone, he has turned the ball over in that area seemingly just as much.

Although he's not projected to go in the first round, with his physical tools, I can see why some teams would be tempted to pick him early--maybe in the second or third round--based off his potential, but I see him as a draft-and-develop prospect, versus someone you can start right away.

Wherever he goes, I think he's better off sitting and learning for a year, getting some spot duty here and there. Overall, with time, I think he can thrive in the right offense.

Case File No. 38: Athena

 

Photo Credit: wrestlinginc.com.

Today, I open the case file of All Elite Wrestling/Ring of Honor's Athena. The current ROH Women's Champion, she has the longest reign with the title, and I can see why.

HT: 5-2

Promotion: AEW/ROH 

Credentials:

ROH Women's Champion (current)

Strengths:

-Versatile in wrestling skills and as a performer overall 

-Good on the mic/cutting promos

-Strong for a wrestler her size

Weaknesses:

-Diminutive size 

-Will underestimate her opponent sometimes 

Final Analysis:

Athena is a great performer who can wrestle in any kind of match. 

Although her main style seems to be brawling, she will use submission and high-risk styles as well. She also has good strength for a wrestler her size. She's good on the mic and at cutting promos. She knows how to get a reaction out of people with her vicious tactics and unpredictable antics.

Bigger wrestlers can overpower her because of her diminutive size. Underestimating her opponents gets her trouble at times. Although she usually wins, this is something that could hurt her in the long run.

Athena is a total package of wrestling and mic skills. Personally, I think she's underrated. She doesn't get the credit or recognition of a Naomi or Mercedes Moné, but I like her better than both. I like her better than most female wrestlers nowadays.

She's the current ROH Women's Champion, currently with the longest title reign--she has had the title for nearly two years--and I understand why. She deserves it. Right now, it's too early to determine, but at the rate she's going, and if the creative team continues to cultivate her character, the "Fallen Goddess" could very well be mentioned among the best female wrestlers of all-time.

Case File No. 37: Cooper Flagg

 

Cooper Flagg. Photo Credit: Gregory Payan/AP.

Today, I open the case file of Cooper Flagg, a five-star recruit who has committed to Duke. He led his high school to their eighth national title, and was ranked the third best prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Position: Small forward 

HT: 6-9 WT: 205

College: Duke 

Class: Freshman 

Credentials:

National High School Player of the Year (2024)

Strengths:

-Can shoot on all levels 

-Can score in multiple ways 

-Good ball handler 

-Absorbs contact and finishes when attacking the basket 

-Able to maintain his dribble through traffic and when defenders get into his body 

-Runs the floor 

-Very good shot blocker

Weaknesses:

-Thin frame 

-Dribble looks languid at times 

Final Analysis:

Cooper looks the part of a Top Three recruit. There wasn't much I saw that I didn't like. He can shoot on all levels: off the dribble, spotting up, pull-ups, and coming off screens/picks.

He can create his own shot, usually using jab steps to create separation. He's able to absorb contact and finish when attacking the basket.

Very good ball handler, he's able to maintain his dribble through traffic and make plays. Although he looks to score most of the time, he is a capable passer with good vision and timing.

An aggressive shot blocker, quite often I saw him rotating to block shots or chase down blocks. 

Like most shot blockers, he tends to fall for pump fakes and head fakes. He has a thin frame, and while this might not be much of an issue in college, players will look to overpower or bully ball him at the next level.

His dribble looks sluggish and lazy at times, as if he's just going through the motions. That he needs to be mindful of because occasionally falling asleep, so to speak, can get him trouble at the next level where there are more aggressive defenders.

Considered to be one of the top prospects for next year's NBA draft, with his length, versatility, and being able to score at a high level consistently, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a one-and-done player after this upcoming season.

Case File No. 36: Trevor Lawrence

 

Trevor Lawrence. Photo Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images.

Today, I open the case file of Trevor Lawrence, who recently became the highest paid player in the NFL. Despite the numbers, he has had an okay start to his career. There has been talk of him being a bust. I'll give my take on that later.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-6 WT: 220

Credentials:

Pro Bowl (2022)

CFP Champion (2018)

2x First-team All-ACC 

Strengths:

-Resilient 

-Good poise in the pocket 

-Quick release 

-Makes tough throws 

-Very good arm strength 

-Can make plays with his feet 

Weaknesses:

-Turnover prone 

-Will force some throws 

-Doesn't always protect the ball 

-A bit inconsistent 

Final Analysis:

Trevor has the size (6-6, 220) that most coaches covet. Not prone to injury, but if injured, will usually play through it. I think his pocket presence is pretty good. He goes through his progressions and gets the ball out of his hands quickly.

He's very good at making tough throws, fitting balls into tight windows, completing passes in awkward positions. Has very good arm strength, with nice placement on his deep throws. Can make plays from the pocket as well as with his legs.

His biggest issue is the turnovers. He will force throws at times, and I think that's part of what leads to the interceptions, but he also doesn't always protect the ball the way he needs to, which leads to strip sacks.

Despite having pretty good numbers overall, Trevor has had an okay start to his career. He guided the Jaguars to their first playoff win since 2018 in comeback fashion, but regressed a little last season.

He has been hot and cold so far; the aforementioned comeback playoff victory is another example of that. He threw three interceptions in the first half, which was part of how the Los Angeles Chargers took an early lead, but bounced back in the second half to guide the Jaguars to a seemingly improbable victory.

There's a lot to like about Lawrence's game, he just needs to be more consistent and smarter with the ball. Right now, I think he's overhyped, but I don't think he's a bust. However, I think he has the upside to live up to the first overall pick status. 

Case File No. 35: Jordan Travis

Jordan Travis. Photo Credit: Joshua Bessex/Getty Images.

 

 

Today, I look into the case file of Jordan Travis. A fifth round pick by the New York Jets, I think he would've went higher if it weren't for his injury.

Team: New York Jets 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-1 WT: 200

Credentials:

ACC Player of the Year 

ACC Offensive Player of the Year 

First-team All ACC 

Strengths:

-Respected leader 

-Poised in the pocket

-Accurate 

-Has the arm strength to make most throws

-Can make plays from the pocket and with his feet

Weaknesses:

-A bit undersized 

-Injury prone

-Occasionally escapes the pocket too quickly

Final Analysis:

Jordan has an effortless way he quarterbacks the game, and that's something you can't teach. He has poise, usually able to make throws in the face of pressure, and he's accurate. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he can make most throws.

He can beat you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He had the respect and admiration of his teammates, and I think it was mostly due to his resiliency and overcoming adversity.

Listed at 6-1, 200 pounds, he's a bit undersized for the position, and he has had occasions where he escaped the pocket too soon. I think both of these are part of what led to him being plagued with injuries, having a small frame and sometimes taking hits that he shouldn't have.

Overall, I think he's an underrated talent who would've been at least a third round pick if it wasn't for a season-ending injury late last season. As I've mentioned in my 747 blog, he's in a perfect situation, sitting behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for a year or so, which gives him time to learn and develop and recover from his injury. He just need to get stronger and polish a few areas. I think he will be ready to take over as the leader of New York when his time comes.