2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Aidan O’Connell (QB – Purdue)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Aidan O’Connell.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Aiden O’Connell (QB – Purdue)

Aidan O’Connell (QB – Purdue)

6’3″ – 210 lbs.

Background:

Started three games as a freshman, replacing Jack Plummer and finishing the year with 1,101 yards (61.3%, 6.6 YPA), eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Started another three games in the shortened 2020 season, passing for 916 yards (64.2%, 6.7 YPA), seven touchdowns, and two interceptions, then took over the starting role in week five of the following year, finishing with 3,709 yards (71.7%, 8.5 YPA, 28 touchdowns, and eleven interceptions. Was less efficient this past year, with 3,483 yards (63.7%, 7.0 YPA), 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Positives:

Well-built two-year starter who looks the part. Has experience taking snaps from under center in a pro-style offense. Sells the play-action pretty well in an offense that used it relatively often (27.2% of throws this past year). Stands tall in the pocket with a solid base. Capable of making throws on bootlegs to the right side of the field. Gets the ball out quickly in the short game, with a release that’s at least adequate. Able to work through progressions. Overall arm strength is solid, with good zip on his throws. Has the confidence to trust his arm on passes into tighter windows. Knows when to take something off of his throws. Flashes the ability to throw with anticipation toward the boundary and down the field. Keeps his eyes downfield when fleeing the pocket.

Negatives:

Senior season was more of a step backward, struggling with consistency and turning the ball over too often. Ball placement is inconsistent, leading to incompletions or forcing his receivers to make some adjustments that limit yards after the catch; some of it comes from inconsistent weight transfer and not always stepping into throws. Mechanics and decision-making under pressure need to improve. Struggles to feel backside pressure. Pure pocket passer who can pirouette away from rushers at times but doesn’t threaten defenses with his legs.

Summary:

A throwback pocket passer who doesn’t have the mobility teams are increasingly looking for at the position, but who has the size, arm strength, and touch to operate effectively when working from a clean pocket and who already has experience taking snaps from under center and working his way through progressions in a pro-style offense. Probably more of a mid-to-late-round possibility after a senior season in which he struggled to replicate the success of his junior campaign, but has a solid set of tools to work with and should attract interest as a developmental passer.

Projection: Round 5