Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane, 2024 7th round pick #245
Posted: 27 Apr 2024 17:51
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/101 ... -tulane-qb
POSITIVES
— Good pocket toughness. Willing to stand in collapsing pocket and make throws.
— Functional athlete. Balanced, powerful runner. Can be used in short-yardage situations.
— Above-average touch accuracy. Shows the ability to put air under the ball and layer throws both over the middle and outside.
— Showed the ability to handle pre-snap operation with checks and protection calls.
NEGATIVES
— Below-average arm talent. Lumbering release with middling velocity on the ball.
— Often double-clutches and loses confidence when operating beyond first read.
— Below-average processing speed. Too many instances where he misunderstands coverage shells or loses sight of zone defenders moving post-snap.
OVERALL
Michael Pratt has all the qualities of a solid backup quarterback in the NFL, but he lacks the polish and high-end traits to be a developmental starter.
Pratt's toughness and aggressive mentality are the basis of his game. He is fearless in the pocket. At least a few times per game, Pratt will take a clean hit to ensure he delivers a ball where it needs to go. That toughness and team-first mentality will serve him well.
That mentality extends to Pratt's risk tolerance. He is an aggressive passer. Pratt always looks for angles to throw down the field if the pre-snap look from the defense allows for it.
Pratt is a somewhat functional athlete as well. He isn't quick or fast, but there is a degree of power and balance to Pratt's game that serves him well as a designed runner in short-yardage situations or in the red zone.
From an arm-talent perspective, Pratt is lacking. He has a lumbering release, and the ball does not pop out of his hand with good velocity. Pratt too often lacks the ball speed to make certain throws, especially outside the numbers, and he doesn't have a loose arm that can access different throwing angles.
Pratt's saving grace is his touch accuracy. Though not special in any way, Pratt does show the ability to layer throws over defenders.
At the same time, Pratt lacks the decision-making and vision that his four-year starter status suggests. Pratt too often fails to see defenders in the middle of the field or adjust to any post-snap rotations, be that by the safeties or blitz packages with defenders dropping off the line of scrimmage.
Pratt can be a useful backup in the NFL. His toughness, touch accuracy and moderate athletic ability should help him keep the ship afloat in a pinch. However, Pratt's uneven decision-making and lack of high-end traits limit his upside.