QB Profile : Chad Kelly

Selected with the very last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, 23-year old quarterback Chad Kelly out of Ole Miss was brought into the NFL. The nephew of all-time NFL great Jim Kelly, Chad was a highly watched scout both on and off the field, as he had a tendency of getting himself into poor situations.

What Kelly does well is utilize his powerful arm, meaning that he can fit the ball into tight windows, and can make almost any type of pass that the coaching staff asks of him. He is very mobile, and can even stretch plays longer than what they are meant to be, which also means he can tear up defenses with his ground game. 

The pocket presence of Kelly is above average, as he is able to pick up blitzes easier than others prospects may. He also has an athletic upside, with a great build at 6’2, 224 lbs.

His weaknesses are pretty obvious, beginning with his off-field antics, which resulted in him being prohibited to attend the NFL Combine. In 2014, Kelly was arrested for resisting arrest and committing assault while in Buffalo, as he was also kicked off Clemson due to the circumstances. Needless to say, character issues are a major concern when it comes to Kelly’s ability to deal with starting QB pressure and expectations. 

Kelly has also proven to be prone to make mistakes in clutch situations. On top of that, he has also suffered two torn ACL’s, which is a major concern when it comes to his long-term health. 

In conclusion, Kelly has a long ways to go if he wants to become a starter in the NFL. The rookie was projected to be undrafted, so becoming “Mr. Irrelevant” is almost a compliment from the Denver Broncos. In terms of depth, starter Trevor Siemian and second year QB Paxton Lynch are certainly going to be ahead of this young rookie.

This will be valuable time to learn how an NFL scheme is executed, as Kelly should continue to improve over time. 

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