Overview
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 221 pounds
School: Richmond Spiders
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.81 seconds
Vertical jump: 31 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 5 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.95 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.07 seconds
Kyle Lauletta 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Kyle Lauletta enters the draft as a mid-level quarterback prospect. While he’s not in the group of fellow quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, or Josh Allen, Lauletta should still hear his name called during the 2018 NFL Draft.
Lauletta played at Richmond from 2013 to 2017, serving as the team’s starter the final three years of his collegiate career. Lauletta impressed during his first year at the helm, throwing for 3,598 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while completing 61.6 percent of his passes. While he wasn’t a Heisman contender by any means, it was a solid season for the first-year starter.
Lauletta built on his solid 2015 with an even better 2016 that started to put him on the national radar. Through the first 10 games of the season, Lauletta led Richmond to an impressive 8-2 record. However, the second-year starter’s season would be cut short after 11 games. Lauletta tore his ACL while scrambling, taking him out of the game and prematurely ending his season. The young quarterback ended his abbreviated 2016 campaign with 3,022 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.
Despite his ACL injury, Lauletta returned in 2017 to post the best year of his collegiate career. Playing in 11 games, Lauletta completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,737 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The completion percentage, yards, and touchdowns were all career highs.
The Richmond signal caller left his alma mater as the best quarterback in school history, with a combined 10,465 yards and 73 touchdowns. Lauletta’s impressive tenure earned him a trip to the 2018 Senior Bowl. Lauletta boosted his draft stock further and showed that he can perform well against top competition. The draft prospect threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns, winning MVP despite only playing the second half of the game.
Strengths
- Production increased every year;
- Solid footwork;
- Excellent accuracy and timing with short and intermediate throws;
- Throws a tight spiral;
- Great leader;
- Able to move linebackers in zones using his eyes;
- Strong, sound mechanics.
Weaknesses
- Lacks elite arm strength;
- Tends to ignore safeties and throw deep into double teams;
- Scrambling ability may not carry over to the next level;
- Ball tends to sail on deep throws;
- Can get overly flustered by consistent pressure;
- Has a major knee injury in his medical history.
NFL Comparison: Alex Smith
Teams With Need at Position: New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: Late third to early fourth round selection
Bottom Line
Lauletta is not a plug and play starter at this point of his career, and he’s certainly not a franchise quarterback yet. His lack of arm strength means that, if he is to succeed in the NFL, he’ll have to win with smarts.
That being said, Lauletta appears to be a player capable of maximizing his natural talents. He does all the little things right, and can probably succeed in the NFL with good coaching. Most of his negative traits come from his poor arm strength, and he won’t be able to get by on pure athleticism.
Lauletta’s best path to success begins with riding the bench. Sitting behind an established starter would allow Lauletta to learn the pro game and build up his arm strength. If he’s able to land in the right situation and learn from the established personnel around him, the Richmond quarterback could have a long, successful NFL career.
Main photo:
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