NY Jets 2025 NFL Draft: Syracuse QB Kyle McCord Scouting Report

Teams like the NY Jets are in the market for a player who could eventually evolve into a quality backup quarterback in the last four rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord may have rehabilitated his stock well enough to get some consideration.

Fresh off a solid, if incredibly volatile, career at Ohio State, McCord's final pro season with the Orange may have been enough to turn him into a player who could end up being selected via the benefit of a fairly weak quarterback class.

Teams looking to draft McCord need to know what they're getting into. After starring at the Shrine Bowl to the point where some have declared him the best player at the event, McCord's stock is rising to the point where it seems unlikely he will end up going undrafted.

Syracuse QB Kyle McCord 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Notes

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 224 pounds
Recruiting: 2021 5-star, No. 28 national, No. 6 QB, No. 2 PA, Ohio State transfer

Positives

Extremely accurate on short and intermediate throws, showing good ball placement and a feathery touch to fit the ball into tight windows. One of the best deep ball throwers in this class
Very smart quarterback pre-snap who was asked to make full-field reads and was able to execute them with ease. Adapted to a very different style of quarterbacking at Syracuse very well.
Mechanically sound quarterback with a very quick release and calm presence in the pocket, could make him a player who is more comfortable if forced into action as a rookie.
Leader who has helped seize control two different programs with different styles of offense and put up great numbers with both

When kept clean and allowed to read the field, McCord may be one of the four best prospects in this class. His impressive accuracy between the numbers and smarts will help him either become a fringe starter or long-term backup for a decade.

With a very quick release and the ability to effectively get rid of the ball thanks to some sharp pre-snap diagnosis skills, McCord could play very well in a West Coast-type scheme that wants their quarterback to get rid of the ball. His leadership at both destinations was clear.

Negatives

Average arm strength many will see as below-average, lacks the zip on balls to challenge NFL defenses down the field as often as many will want to see from him.
Below-par athlete for the position, not a threat to use his legs. His solid sack avoidance is let down by an inability to effectively ad-lib when forced out of the pocket.
Decision-making under pressure is questionable, will try to force the ball when it isn't needed. Five-interception game vs. Pitt exemplifies this.

When McCord is thrown off schedule, things can get way out of whack. Due to some serious issues with creating something out of busted plays, McCord's decision-making process often is reduced to chucking it up and hoping for the best.

Even though McCord led the country in passing yards, he did play in a very pass-happy offense. While he was solid at Ohio State, his poor play in big games could make some wonder if he is a product of one lightning-in-a-bottle season.

Kyle McCord NFL Player Comparison: Aidan O'Connell

O'Connell doesn't have an electric arm to make up for his sluggish style of play, but his ability to distribute accurately and on time from the pocket appealed to the Raiders and others.

Kyle McCord 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Late 4th Round

McCord is never going to wow with his athletic ability, and teams placing an emphasis on multi-faceted quarterbacks will knock him down a peg. However, in terms of gripping and ripping it from the pocket, McCord may be one of the better pure pocket passers in this class.