2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kyle McCord (QB – Syracuse)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kyle McCord

Kyle McCord (QB – Syracuse)

6-foot-3 | 220 Pounds

Background

Kyle McCord’s father Derek played quarterback at Rutgers. McCord was a four-star recruit who originally attended Ohio State and backed up C.J. Stroud (apart from one start against Akron) for his first two seasons.

He then won the starting quarterback job in 2023 and led the team to an 11-1 record as the starter, finishing with 3,170 yards (66.4% completion rate, 9.1 yards per attempt), 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Transferred to Syracuse for 2024 and went 10-3. He finished with 4,779 yards (66% completion rate, 8.1 yards per attempt), 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to conclude his collegiate career.

Positives

Well-built two-year starter with a 22-4 career record. Put together a huge season in 2024. Gets the ball out pretty quickly on rhythm throws underneath, which were a major staple of Syracuse’s offense. Willing to hit the check-down option when his primary read isn’t available.

When McCord sets up properly, he shows pretty good width to his base and can dig his cleats in and transfer weight to generate power and drive the ball. Shows some ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes. Can make some first-read throws with anticipation. His throwing mechanics are very nice, with a quick delivery and a high release point.

Arm talent is solid; spins a pretty nice spiral with good velocity and has the strength to make pro-style throws to the sidelines or down the field. Can stick a bullet on a receiver running a slant against tight coverage. Ball placement on throws over the middle of the field is generally pretty good, especially when he’s throwing to his primary read.

Can get some loft under throws to layer them over defenders when needed. Knows how to take something off throws to provide a catchable ball. Poised player who does a nice job of keeping his eyes up and staying composed when facing down pressure. Shows some pocket movement skills to buy time. Not a good athlete, but can throw with accuracy when rolling to either the left or right on designed plays and even the occasional scramble.

Negatives

Syracuse’s offense had a lot of (often short) single-read throws off of run-pass option (RPO) plays. Wasn’t asked to work through a ton of progressions. Some tendency to stare down his primary reads, allowing defenders to undercut throws (see Pittsburgh game.)

Placement on some of the quick throws can sometimes be inefficient, forcing adjustments that limit yards after the catch, mostly due to back-foot throws; puts throws behind targets due to throwing before he’s established a platform or while moving backward off of play-action.

McCord Doesn’t always do a great job of getting re-aligned when he works to his check-down options. Pure pocket passer who doesn’t pose a threat as a runner. Could be a little better about sensing backside pressure, as he can end up getting stripped or fumbling (six in 2024.) Tends to backpedal rather than climb against outside pressure.

Summary

A well-built pocket passer who makes good decisions with the football, McCord gets the ball out quickly. Shows good arm talent and accuracy (especially over the middle of the field). Looks poised against pressure.

While he’s not the most athletic quarterback and occasional placement issues crop up on routine short throws when he’s not playing with a solid base underneath him, McCord shows the ability to make pre-snap reads and execute first-read throws.

Looks like a solid mid-round developmental option with some upside.

Projection: Round 5

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Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)

A confident rhythm-based passer who works through progressions, makes pretty good decisions with the football and throws with impressive accuracy/placement. At his best, pulls the trigger early, puts the ball right on his target and works his way down the field methodically through a series of short and intermediate throws over the middle of the field.

However, Sadners can sometimes be too slow to get the ball out, can’t consistently escape from pressure when he’s being pursued and his overall arm talent is closer to adequate. Could draw a wide range of evaluations, as he’s not a perfect fit for every scheme, but still looks to be in the conversation for the first overall pick. He should easily be one of the first two or three passers off the board.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Shedeur Sanders

Cam Ward (QB – Miami)

A highly productive five-year starter who made major strides this past season after arriving at Miami. Ward plays with impressive composure, shows the ability to work through full-field reads and has solid arm talent and accuracy. Is capable of escaping from pressure and making the occasional splash play. At the same time, there are some risky elements to his game, which often come as a result of trying to do too much, leading to dangerous throws, interceptions or fumbles.

Consequently, how willing teams are to tolerate that risk to reap the rewards of his playmaking skills will be interesting to monitor. Either way, Ward is among the candidates to go first overall and should be one of the first couple of quarterbacks off the board.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Ward

Jalen Milroe (Alabama)

One of the most physically and athletically gifted dual-threat quarterback prospects you’ll see, with plenty of arm strength and elite speed, explosiveness and power as a runner who has some work to do on his game. To reach his sky-high potential he needs to show more consistent weight transfer on his throws, increased touch underneath, slightly faster processing and improved play under pressure.

However, those types of issues could be remedied with experience and coaching, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a patient and somewhat risk-tolerant team take a shot on him in the first round.

Projection: Round 1/Round 2

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jalen Milroe

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