After an 8-5 season, the Nevada Wolf Pack still have a number of prospects heading towards the 2022 NFL Draft. One of those players is an intriguing quarterback option who could be a first-round pick. Here are the scouting reports for Nevada prospect Carson Strong and more.
Nevada 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Strong is not the only Nevada prospect who could make an impact in the NFL Draft. The Wolf Pack also have some interesting names at tight end and wide receiver.
Carson Strong, QB
Positives: Strong-armed passer with the ability to make all the downfield throws. Sells the ball fakes, patient in the pocket, and remains poised under the rush. Keeps his eyes downfield, quickly gets the ball out of his hands, and possesses a massive arm. Launches deep throws and puts passes out in front of vertical receivers, allowing them to run to the ball.
Easily gets the ball through the tight spots, puts speed on all the throws, and powers the ball into targets. Goes through receiver progressions, effectively sets up screen throws, and takes the safe, underneath outlet if nothing else is available. Steps up in the pocket to avoid the rush and works to elude defenders.
Negatives: Struggles with his accuracy when he is forced to move his head away from the primary target. Must learn to take something off throws rather than whipping the ball into the intended target. Needs to improve his downfield accuracy as well as the accuracy of touch throws. Puts too much air under deep passes. Suffered a significant knee injury in high school which must be checked out.
Analysis: During his redshirt freshman season at Nevada, I identified Strong as an up-and-coming quarterback prospect who could develop into a first-round choice. While he possesses the physical skills to start at the next level, Strong never developed at Nevada.
He’s a nice-sized pocket passer and one of the best arm talents we’ve seen in the draft over the past 20 years. But oftentimes, Strong is too intent on launching deep passes (which he was able to get away with at Nevada), and he never developed as a short or intermediate passer. Strong comes with tremendous upside, and if he is medically cleared by teams, could eventually develop into a starting quarterback if he develops as a total passer.
Want more information on Strong? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Carson Strong, Nevada QB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Cole Turner, TE
Positives: Nice-sized tight end who is dependable catching the ball. Tracks the pass in the air, possesses good eye/hand coordination, and extends to pull the ball from the air. Adjusts backwards to grab the errant throw, makes the difficult reception in all types of contorted positions, and takes a pounding, yet holds onto the ball. Shows great focus as well as concentration. Sells pass routes, gives effort blocking in space, and gets results.
Negatives: Rarely used as an in-line blocker. Plays faster than his 40 time, but he’s still not a downfield threat at the position.
Analysis: Turner was a consistent pass-catching target in the Nevada offense and showed development in his game the past two seasons. More of a move tight end to this point, he must improve his blocking, though his ability to catch the ball will surely help him see the field as a rookie.
Want more information on Turner? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Cole Turner, Nevada TE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jermaine Ledbetter, IOL
Positives: Massive interior lineman who takes up a lot of room. Bends his knees, stays square, and explosive at the point. Strong, works his hands throughout the action, and gets movement run blocking. Keeps his head on a swivel and is always looking for someone to block.
Negatives: Doesn’t sink his butt at the line of scrimmage and tends to get upright in his stance. Cannot slide in space. Too large.
Analysis: Ledbetter is a wide-bodied power-gap blocker who must properly condition himself and improve his playing balance for any chance of making it out of camp this summer.
Romeo Doubs, WR
Positives: Sure-handed receiver with an upside. Tracks the pass in the air, adjusts to the throw, and nicely times receptions. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, competes to come away with the catch when defenders are draped on him, and extends to make the reception away from his frame. Snatches the ball out of the air with strong hands and displays terrific eye/hand coordination. Turns upfield and works hard running after the catch.
Negatives: Not quick into routes and floats exiting breaks. Plays to one speed and does not show a true second gear.
Analysis: Doubs was a terrific pass catcher for quarterback Carson Strong, consistently coming away with both ordinary and extraordinary receptions. He possesses nice size but must really improve the details of his position if he’s to factor in at the next level.
Want more information on Doubs? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Romeo Doubs, Nevada WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Sam Hammond, DE
Positives: Tall and somewhat athletic defensive lineman with an upside. Quick off the snap, displays a good change of direction, and moves well around the field. Collapses down the line giving effort against the run, works his hands throughout the action, and is rarely off his feet. Shows the ability to get outside the box and make plays in pursuit.
Negatives: Gets upright in his stance, easily blocked from the action, and shows little in the way of playing balance. Possesses an average closing burst.
Analysis: Hammond possesses excellent length, growth potential, and has shown enough ability to get stashed on a practice squad as he continues to develop his game.