Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
PROVO — Few people envisioned a viable NFL career for Kedon Slovis after the past season where his campaign was cut short due to injury among other issues as BYU's starting quarterback.
But several indicators have surfaced over the past few months that indicate Slovis may have a legitimate shot at finding himself a spot on an NFL roster following his up-and-down collegiate career.
The NFL draft begins Thursday, and while it's still dubious as to whether Slovis will even be selected in the later rounds, what has become apparent is that he'll be afforded a good opportunity to make a roster, whether it be via the draft or a free agent contract.
In the last eight years, 95 quarterbacks have been drafted; that's approximately 12 quarterbacks per draft class. Is Kedon Slovis a top 12 QB in this year's draft class and what are the experts saying about Kedon Slovis?
Expert opinions
- Mel Kiper (ESPN): 10th
- Dane Brugler (Athletic): 14th
- Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports): 12th
- Tom Pelissero (NFL.com): 10th
Pelissero quotes two NFL scouts in his article that provides a good synopsis of Slovis' draft status. While experts provide good opinions, in some regards, it's the NFL executives that will ultimately be making draft decisions, relying heavily on input from their scouts.
"He's had just such a roller-coaster ride throughout his career," an AFC scout said. "He's worthy of being drafted. You go back to the stuff at SC, it's good tape."
"I say no (he won't get drafted), but he's the kind of guy somebody could take a swing on in the seventh," an NFC scouting director said. "He actually ran pretty good (4.55 40 at the combine, tops among quarterbacks). But you worry about (the fact that) he's regressed almost every year since he was at SC."
So why the rise in Slovis' stock on the heels of a 2023 season where he threw for just 1,716 yards while warranting a 121.1 passer rating?
Faster than you thought
One of the first significant notices Slovis served, at least in the general public's eye, was clocking a 4.55 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine held in early March.
It was a time that certainly improved his status, sure, but in my opinion the greater benefit was that it helped shine a light on Slovis' other attributes, which are still viable even after his generally unremarkable performance for BYU last season.
"It opens up some opportunities for what teams may think of him. ... Ultimately teams are going to project him a bit differently, I think, because he's not the same athlete that they were expecting," said Kent Lee Platte, founder and publisher of the Relative Athletic Score, on my show on ESPN 960.
So what type of quarterback is Slovis, and how is he being viewed by those that matter heading into the NFL draft?
Consider Slovis' entire body of work, which includes 11,689 career passing yards, 80 touchdowns, and a 140.6 quarterback rating, and it becomes easier to argue his ability to produce positive results at the NFL level.
Throw in his stellar 40 time, and combine it with his apparent ability to manage the pocket effectively while making all the throws, and it stands to reason why Platte, and other NFL draft experts, are now entertaining the possibility of Slovis sneaking into the later rounds of this upcoming draft.
With regard to his 40 time, it speaks to a quarterback who is capable of more than just dropping back and operating within a pocket. No, Slovis shouldn't draw comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or even Aaron Rodgers with regards to his escapability and ability to operate outside of the pocket. Not even close.
But he should be viewed as more mobile and athletic than many regarded throughout his collegiate career.
"Kedon is getting an opportunity to show these NFL teams what he's capable of, and he's doing a great job doing it. ... Kedon battled an injury and a situation at Pittsburgh, and unfortunately battled (the same) at BYU," said former BYU quarterback John Beck, who currently operates the 3DQB quarterback program. "Those type of things don't necessarily help players, so what's cool is that teams are getting a chance to see Kedon's capabilities."
Beyond the combine
Slovis' initial reminder to evaluators of his NFL potential came during the East-West Shrine Game, where he showed off a live arm among other attributes.
"Slovis did do a fairly nice job resetting his feet on rollouts and finding his check-downs, particularly in 7-on-7s. And on one play, he dished a laser of a deep crosser to Lideatrick Griffin off play action from under center. Great drop-back mechanics allowed him to stay efficient, and he was decisive in taking the shot," wrote Pro Football Network's Ian Cummings. "Miscues and missed opportunities are still present on Slovis' practice tape, but they aren't numerous. While he can continue to cut down on those, he's given NFL teams reason to be intrigued."
Slovis's play worked to impress other evaluators from other pre-draft showcases, including Jim Nagy, director of the Senior Bowl.
"(Kedon Slovis) is one of most naturally accurate passers in the 2024 class. When we talk to NFL scouts, they love his ball placement on midrange throws that are so critical in the pro game. The NFL is all about fitting the ball into tight windows, and Slovis has that skill," Nagy said.
Slovis' stints at both Pittsburgh and BYU did little to promote what was once viewed as prime NFL draft stock following his freshman year at USC, but they shouldn't hurt it, either.
"There's no shortage of tape out there. There's no shortage of coaches to talk to. And at the end of the day, it only takes one to fall in love with you for it to work," Slovis said on ESPN 960. "And I know an opportunity will come somewhere at some point, and I'm just excited for that to finally come to fruition."
Criddle's conclusion
When I evaluated Slovis in fall camp last year, I said to myself immediately: "This guy can play in the National Football League."
I received plenty of flack for tweeting my observations thereafter from both BYU and Utah fans alike — feel free to peruse the below tweet and the subsequent responses:
"Kedon Slovis is a great QB. I don't want to overhype him b/c I don't want anyone on twitter / message boards to blame me when he throws his first pick and tells me that I lied them.
But he's an NFL talent no question."
I stand by what I said back then, and believe my observations have largely been validated by Slovis' current status, as judged by expert evaluators and NFL scouts.
Slovis possesses the arm talent, football IQ, productive collegiate resume, and athleticism that typically warrants a mid-round pick in the upcoming draft. Don't be surprised if he gets drafted late, and don't be surprised if he makes an NFL roster.
