The immense amount of success from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy — who was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — has scouts across the league in search of the next late-round gem under center.
Tulane’s Michael Pratt has some of the consistent mechanics, tempo variation to get the ball up and down appropriately when touch throws are required, eye manipulation, and functional athleticism to make for an intriguing Day 2 or 3 selection.
Which teams are the best potential landing spots for Pratt approaching the 2024 NFL Draft?
Which Teams Could Draft Michael Pratt?
Atlanta Falcons Could Add Kirk Cousins’ Backup on Day 3
The Atlanta Falcons just dropped a boatload of money on free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins — a contract worth up to $180 million, to be exact — but coming off a torn Achilles tendon at age 35 doesn’t exactly make Cousins a guarantee to be ready for the start of the season.
Pratt has some play-style similarities to Cousins, which could put him in an ideal understudy position in a scheme that utilizes play-action to help create bigger throwing windows on the second level. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson comes from the Los Angeles Rams, who called 110 play-action passes in 2023.
Pratt could serve as an early starting option if Cousins isn’t ready for the season opener, plus develop in the offensive scheme with talents like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson to eventually become a potential starting option down the road.
Miami Dolphins Select Tua Tagovailoa Backup Plan With Michael Pratt
The Miami Dolphins will have to make a long-term decision on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the very near future. His performance in big games and disastrous outing in the postseason against the Kansas City Chiefs last year could give the organization a valid reason to invest some draft capital in the position for a prospect they believe could succeed in this system.
One common knock against Tagovailoa and Pratt is their lack of NFL arm strength. This is true, yet the Dolphins’ starting QB led the league in passing last year with 4,624 yards.
Tagovailoa accomplishes this by throwing with exceptional anticipation into the middle of the field. Pratt has flashed some of this same ability but hasn’t captured the type of consistency in this department to warrant a first-round draft pick.
When considering Tagovailoa’s contract situation and durability history, Pratt would make for an intriguing prospect in Miami’s offense to sit behind the incumbent starter in 2024.
New Orleans Saints Select Derek Carr Understudy
New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr didn’t exactly get off to the best start last year, but he managed to do enough to keep the starting gig heading into 2024.
The Saints released Jameis Winston this offseason, which does open up a potential roster spot for a Day 2 or 3 QB prospect from this draft. With a solid camp, Pratt could be a developmental piece to compete with Jake Haener for the backup spot.
KEEP READING: Bo Nix’s 2024 NFL Draft Landing Spots
Pratt’s decision-making, catchable ball, and functional athleticism give him a quality floor despite not having the elite arm talent of the other prospects in this class. He doesn’t project as an immediate starter in the league, but Pratt could certainly be in the mix for a late-round selection who develops into a potential starter down the line in Klint Kubiak’s system.
If Carr and the Saints can’t put it all together this year to make a postseason push with an aging and expensive roster, New Orleans could be in for a youth movement on both sides of the ball in the very near future.
Denver Broncos Add Pratt After Passing on Quarterback on Day 1
Once upon a time Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took a quarterback who didn’t have the strongest arm and helped turn him into one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. I’m not saying Pratt is a Drew Brees’ caliber prospect, but Pratt’s ability to feather in throws with touch over the middle of the football field is certainly a good starting point for the Tulane product potentially fitting into Payton’s offensive scheme.
The Broncos are going to be strapped for the cash the next couple seasons and may need to do the bulk of their roster reconstruction in the NFL Draft. If Denver doesn’t like J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, or Michael Penix Jr. at 12th overall, then they will be turning to the later rounds of the draft to address the most important position in the sport.
One overlooked factor with regard to Pratt potentially being an option for Denver is that Tulane’s offensive line coach last season — Dan Roushar — spent time on Payton’s staff in New Orleans, which could help with the team’s evaluation process. Pratt certainly proved capable of working the intermediate part of the field, that translates well to Payton’s scheme.
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