EX-NFL SCOUT BELIEVES USC DRAFT PROSPECT QB KEDON SLOVIS HAS NO CHANCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE NFL

Scouting Report: Kedon Slovis 6’3″ 216 (USC)

Spring 2021 Film Exposure: (2020) UCLA, Oregon and Washington State

Quarterback with frail looking frame, below average arm strength, average mobility and erratic accuracy and ball placement. There was nothing inspiring or exciting about watching him play. Operated exclusively out of shotgun formation and clapped to get the snap. While he was not perfect in the short throwing range, the short throwing range is where he made his best throws. Tends to hold the ball too long and he does not make quick throwing decisions. Lacks poise and confidence. Can look absolutely overwhelmed when the protection breaks down. At best looks like a below average game-manager who is going to have a very challenging time at the NFL level. 

Slovis does not look comfortable in the pocket. He tends to move around a lot and bounce around. Does not firmly always set his feet. He lacked poise in the pocket and he did not look smooth setting up shop. Looked fairly jittery. Average ball handling skills and play-action fake. Seemed unsure to pull the trigger. Tends to lock in with targets. Several balls batted down at the line of scrimmage versus Oregon. Sometimes pats the ball pre-delivery and telegraphs throws. Tends to do this halfhearted wasted throwing motion after a hand-off yet does not fool anyone. Perhaps the best part of his game is his escape ability. Good job buying time. Does have mobility to get out of trouble sometimes. 

Slovis lacks arm strength. This is apparent at every route level (short, intermediate and deep). Throws a soft looking ball. There were a couple of short screens that looked wobbly. His best looking routes are the quick slant and the end zone fades. Tends to compensate for lacking arm strength with high placement, but that was inconsistent. Really had to push and drive the ball out there on intermediate routes. Tended to put too much air under the passes at that level and on deep routes. Receivers had to noticeably wait on passes many times at the intermediate level. Slovis did not throw NFL looking deep passes. They fell from the sky like rocks straight down, to the point receivers could not make the receptions. It looked awkward at times. Does not have a normal looking arch or trajectory deep. 

He looked very average running the ball in the open field – nothing special and he is not elusive whatsoever. 

Slovis is touted as being a top ranked prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft, but I did not remotely see it against these noted opponents. His lack of arm strength, average mobility and inconsistent touch, placement and accuracy at all three route levels is going to get him killed in the NFL. His play lacked energy. He looked absolutely snowed under and overwhelmed at the end of the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon. I am not seeing it at all with this prospect. The best part of his game is his ability to escape under heavy pressure. A very raw looking prospect at a big program. 

Where is Kedon Slovis on my Draft Board?

Daniel Kelly’s Draft Board: He is not on it. I can not warm up to this guy at all after what I have seen come through the NFL over the past 40 years. Guys like this would not even get a try-out in the NFL I grew up with or worked in. NFL corners are going to eat this guy alive. Slovis has UFA written all over him (Undrafted Free Agent). I would not even bring him in as a UFA. He showed zero dominant traits for the quarterbacking position. 

Probability of being a bust: It is a lock. 

If I were a GM, this is the question I need to have answered in my mind about Kedon Slovis: I would ask him if football is his true passion? He looks more like a baseball player (first baseman) trying to play QB. 

Top 10 concerns about Slovis:

1. Lack of arm strength.

2. Lack of confidence.

3. Holds the ball too long.

4. Pats the ball sometimes prior to delivery. 

5. Tendency to lock in with receivers. 

6. Looks absolutely overwhelmed at times.

7. Deep passes look awful. 

8. Receivers having to wait on intermediate passes. 

9. Takes too many sacks and does not throw the ball away.

10. Lack of consistency with touch, placement and accuracy. 

How NFL defenses will beat him: Pressure and blitz up the middle in his face. Do everything possible to make him uncomfortable. Exotic blitz packages. Constant 8 in the box and force him to beat a defense. 

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 currently writes for Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions and he is a contributing evaluator for Draft Diamonds. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @danielkellybook and his Facebook page is WHATEVER IT TAKES NFL TALK.