Scout Report – Nate Stanley

• Position: Quarterback – Pocket Passer
• College: Iowa Hawkeyes
• Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 8 of 11
• NFL pre-draft Position Rank:

Age: 22 | Height: 6’4 | Weight: 242 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Jacoby Brissett

RESUME:

• 2nd most passing attempts in the Big Ten Conference (399)
• 3rd most completions in the Big Ten (237)
• 6th in pass completion percentage (59.4)
• 5th most passing yards in the Big Ten (2,951)
• 7th highest Pass Efficiency Rating in the Big Ten (131.2)
• Best Game: v. Miami (OH)
  • 21/30 | 252 pass yds | 70% comp | 3 TD – 0 INT | 5 att | 20 rush yds
• Played against 5 ranked opponents
  • @ #19 Michigan (L 3-10)
  • v. #10 Penn State (L 12-17)
  • @ #13 Wisconsin (L 22-24)
  • v. #8 Minnesota (W 23-19)
  • Holiday Bowl v. #22 USC (W 49-24)
• Played against 5 defenses that averaged 200 passing yards or fewer allowed
  • Nebraska
  • #8 Minnesota
  • #13 Wisconsin
  • Northwestern
  • #19 Michigan
• Academic All-Big Ten (2017-18)
• Maxwell Award and Manning Award preseason watch list (2018)

Strengths:

• Possesses that mature sense of patience instead of forcing a pre-developed play
• Very good at selling the PA/RPO because of the pro-style offense
• Possesses great intuition when pressure is coming
• Balanced stance with chopping feet make maneuverability and throwing motion solid
• Adequate blitz radar
• Possesses good range outside of the pocket, able to throw the ball 30+ yards on the run to both sides
• Throwing mechanics are solid, and do not shake when under pressure
• Protects the ball when forced out of the pocket
• Adequate accuracy on the mid-range
• Above average vision with a solid understanding of where his receivers should be
• Solid physical build with a tall stature
• Swift maneuverability in the pocket with quick jab steps to move when needed
• Can maintain range when under pressure or otherwise compromised
• Play-style is that of a game manager, does not inherently gamble with the ball
• Accurate on short passes and screens
• Has experience as a three year starter
• Good pocket range at about 55 yards
• Can be tough when needed
• Maintains levelheadedness in the face of the pass rush
• Decent deep ball accuracy, but not asked to go deep too often
• Effective range on the run around 30 yards
  

Weaknesses:

• Forces 1v1s way too many times
• Puts too much air on his throws, especially under pressure
• Extremely poor sack evasion
• Poor decision making, forcing balls into windows when other options are available
• Consistently overthrows targets from various ranges, putting too much heat on the throw
• Either does not recognize, or does not call out pre-snap blitz reads, leading to some sacks on unblocked outside rushers
• Extremely slow and stiff on the run, will not gain any yards with his feet
• Slightly over ideal weight
• Poor ball placement, either puts the ball too high requiring receiver to jump, or too low into the dirt
• Incredibly inconsistent in yardage, usage, and efficiency across different levels of opposition 
• Seems to have issue identifying zone coverages post-snap
• Does not seem to always be aware of where the defenders are in coverage, especially in the lower levels like linebackers dropping back
• Has been favored by luck on more than one occasion when competing against stringent defenses
  

Bold Predictions:

• Draft Placement: 5th – 7th Round
• Plays Like: Alex Smith
• Ceiling: NFL Backup
• Floor: 4 & Out

Overview:

Stanley is one of the most disappointing QBs i watched this season. Early on, it seemed like Stanley possessed all of the fundamentals you would want in a QB. Throwing mechanics were pretty strong, progressions and recognizing defenses were about where you would want them for a QB who is going into the draft. Stanley’s production plummeted once he started playing legitimate competition, and the flaw of Stanley came to light: The guy does not seem to have the best ability to maximize his passing ability. He cannot consistently take advantage of ball placement and trajectories, he has trouble reading zone coverage once the ball is snapped, and he forces some throws that are not the best option for him. As he is, Stanley is a backup player or project player for a team to grab in the late rounds. I can see him starting for a few years down the road for about 2 or 3 years before he is either cut, or moved to a backup.