3 Iowa State Cyclones to watch for in the 2022 NFL Draft

Brock Purdy

For the Iowa State Cyclones, and the 2021 squad, in particular, everything starts and ends with the quarterback — Brock Purdy. He’s the machine that makes everything go for the Iowa State Cyclones offense. That said, he may be the least appealing of the three NFL Draft prospects on our list today. That’s not to say Purdy is a bad prospect, however. That speaks more to the quality of the next two players more than anything.

Purdy has a number of the tools scouts look for in a top-flight NFL Draft prospect. Arm strength, one of the biggest traits scouts look for, isn’t an issue with Purdy. He may not have the biggest arm in the 2022 NFL Draft class, but his arm is plenty lively enough.

He can make every throw on the field and does so with consistency. Consistency that is owed to tight mechanics. From the waist up, Purdy’s mechanics are solid, which allows him to generate the torque he needs to make big-time throws.

Purdy’s accuracy is another big checkmark in the “plus” column. He has a big arm, and he’s got the zip to fit throws into tight windows, giving his receivers an opportunity to catch the ball. This is something his receivers struggled with at times, but that’s less a reflection on Purdy and more the inconsistency of those he was throwing to.

There’s a lot to like on Purdy’s tape, but there are some major areas he’ll need to clean up before the 2022 NFL Draft.

Athleticism is a trait that is becoming more and more of a requirement at the quarterback position. However, being athletic at the position can sometimes be a double-edged sword, as it sometimes is for Purdy. Purdy has good athleticism for the position and can use his legs not only to extend plays but to make them when nothing is available.

However, Purdy can have a tendency to rely on athleticism too much. Too often Purdy gives up on a play and tries to make something happen with his legs, rather than going through a full-field progression.

Purdy’s lively arm can also get him in trouble. While Purdy has the ability to make every throw on the field, he also has the ultimate “gunslinger” mentality, which will sometimes lead him to make throws he shouldn’t make.

Numerous times, particularly in last season’s film, you’ll see Purdy make head-scratching decisions, relying on his arm to compensate for a poor read. He can get away with it at Iowa State, he won’t be able to in the NFL.

If Purdy can learn to hang in the pocket a half-second longer, get better about going through his progressions, and clean up the decision-making, he should wind up as a Day 2 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.