Missouri QB Drew Lock started a stunning 46 games for the Tigers after earning the top job just a month into his freshman season. Over his career, he flashed obvious high-level potential and delivered enough results to be considered among the very best QB prospects in the country heading into his senior season. This portfolio is a look at his most notable throws and plays from that final collegiate season with an eye to his fit as an NFL prospect.
Game 2 vs Wyoming: We’ll start off with a solid NFL-level back-shoulder completion on 3rd down from Lock’s own end zone. He has early-round WR prospect Emanuel Hall one-on-one with an LB on a straight go route and there is clearly a bigger play open here. Still, Lock makes a very strong, accurate and safe throw for a big gain.
Game 2 vs Wyoming: Great example of the pure, top-level velocity Lock is capable of achieving on his best throws as well as a good view of his somewhat unconventionally short throwing mechanics. This pass is absolutely ripped and well placed leading to major YAC.
Game 2 vs Wyoming: Another look at his almost aim-ey, shot put style throwing motion that can lead to some inconsistencies with touch and accuracy. It’s worth noting that his release is typically quick and compact as it is here. The issue is more his comfort and feel when not throwing at full velocity.
Game 3 vs Purdue: Lock opens up the Purdue game with a simply gorgeous dime over the top that is bungled by Emanuel Hall. Deep throws are Lock’s comfort zone and strength and this toss is an excellent look at just how effortless his downfield heaves can be, a contrast from his more awkward mechanics in the short and intermediate pass games.
Game 3 vs Purdue: A perfectly placed homing missile over the middle and a well read play by Lock. He works the whole field to find his best option and delivers a truly excellent, high-first round throw on 3rd down.
Game 3 vs Purdue: The first of several utterly baffling plays from Lock’s season, this one conspicuously on 3rd down while trailing in the 4th quarter on the road against Purdue. Even the recovery pass attempt is dizzying.
Game 3 vs Purdue: Once again, a sloppy 3rd down play in the 4th quarter of this game though admittedly not as egregious as the previous example. Here, Lock seems to panic in the pocket and flees unnecessarily to make a wild back-footed interception.
Game 4 vs Georgia: Missou evidently struggled in this game but had an opportunity to climb back in it in the 3rd quarter. This is poor pocket composure from Lock, something that he demonstrated repeatedly over his career, especially in big moments vs top competition. He completely abandons any form of mechanics and simply panics. The throw should have been intercepted.
Game 4 vs Georgia: A nice in-rhythm back-shoulder throw against unblocked pressure. Lock manages to find a throwing lane and deliver an NFL-level dime for a big 3rd down conversion.
Game 4 vs Georgia: Here’s a strange situational awareness play that also shows Lock’s tendency to panic in high-pressure situations. In this 4th and 3 play with the game on the line at home against the #2 team in the country, Lock back pedals out of the pocket and throws short of the marker ultimately leading to a turnover on downs.
Game 5 vs South Carolina: Smooth, pure and on rhythm, Lock looks his best and most comfortable when airing it out downfield.
Game 5 vs South Carolina: Another laser beam that showcases both excellent pocket feel and ball placement. Notice the adjustment from the back of his drop to avoid the diving blitzer and excellent pocket mechanics all the way up to the point of release. Then the placement is mindblowingly good, leading to a big reception on an incredibly low-percentage play.
Game 5 vs South Carolina: Lock is prone to the occasional hideous play and this is a prime example. The throw itself, an out from the far hash, is an important NFL throw and a typical point of evaluation for QB prospects. Lock is physically capable of completing this throw but not necessarily with consistency, as you can see here. The clearly awkward and uncomfortable release is concerning.
Game 5 vs South Carolina: This is an example of poor ball placement, something Lock is prone to, particularly when he isn’t throwing deep or using all of his arm. The 1st down completion is there with the proper throw. What Lock delivers is almost good enough for the SEC, possibly an interception in the NFL.
Game 5 vs South Carolina: So when I mentioned Lock is known to make some utterly baffling plays… yea this kind of decision on film makes casts doubt on his NFL starting potential. There is no excuse for a player of his talent and experience level ever doing something like this.
Game 6 vs Alabama: Clearly looking to make a good impression in Tuscaloosa, Lock came out firing in this one but was immediately burned. Staring down the target and poor placement lead to a tough interception already down a TD in the first minute of the game.
Game 6 vs Alabama: My favorite Lock play on film and the kind of play you’d expect from a Top 5 pick-level QB. Excellent patience and composure leads to a stunning throw into a small window. Lock’s mechanics are so natural and effortless on this one as well. If a team can somehow turn this type of play/throw into a habit for Lock, he could grow into a franchise weapon.
Game 6 vs Alabama: A real laser from the 2nd quarter vs Alabama that is thrown with too much velocity for the ball to be picked up in this gif. Lock’s ball placement improves from a liability to a legitimate asset with he is throwing at full force and this is a great example. This ball is cannoned into a perfect and tiny spot.
Week 6 vs Alabama: Here’s a moment that further fleshes out a pattern for Lock, his triumvirate of chaos: 1 panic 2 back pedal 3 turn it over. Missouri is still very much in the game until this play.
Game 6 vs Alabama: The triumvirate reared its ugly head again for a red zone interception long after the game had been decided.
Game 7 vs Memphis: One of Lock’s finer throws of the year and another excellent example of the purity of his downfield passing ability. He is just extremely comfortable launching the ball. And the throwing motion is remarkably compact and explosive. A thing of beauty.
Game 8 vs Kentucky: Great velocity and ball placement lead to a huge YAC gain early vs a very stout Kentucky defense. There is no panic here as his back pedaling smoothly turns into a reset and Lock delivers a dime across his body.
Game 8 vs Kentucky: One of the very few examples from his senior season where the limit of Lock’s downfield arm was tested. Here, he is 90 yards from the end zone with a wide open streaking WR. He could have launched it as far as he wanted and while it does fly 50 yards for a completion, one can’t help but think this could and should have been a more impressive play.
Game 8 vs Kentucky: Ball security will need to be constantly emphasized by whichever team drafts Lock.
Game 8 vs Kentucky: Lock didn’t learn the first time as UK star edge rusher and top draft prospect Josh Allen continued to torment him and wreck this game in the process. This type of 4th quarter strip sack surrendered to the front side edge should not happen to a player with Lock’s experience. Missou did not win this game.
Game 9 vs Florida: Down, distance and situation. This play is a good example of something I claimed earlier, that Lock is more than capable of completing an NFL-style, cross-field sideline out. But it’s 3rd and 15. And poorly edited but also an obvious free play (you can see the flag pop up on the scorebug). Lock threw 10 yards short of the marker on 3rd down on a free play. This is precisely the type of thing that I gave Josh Rosen credit for very rarely if ever messing up at UCLA. In this case, it has to count as a concern the other way.
Game 9 vs Florida: Very pretty sideline dime again on rhythm and perfectly placed, but this time demonstrating an understanding of touch and ball flight. Lock’s touch throws can be spotty but this nearly 40 yarder was perfect.
Game 9 vs Florida: Another one of Lock’s prettiest-ever throws, this one also required pocket feel and the ability to diagnose a chaotic and confusing coverage scheme in the heat of the moment. Truly a high 1st round type of play, this is exactly the kind of film that got Josh Allen drafted #7 overall a year ago.
Game 11 vs Tennessee: Lock became increasingly comfortable with his already terrifying downfield throwing prowess as the season progressed and this 50 yard dime late in the first half at Tennessee is evidence. This is called ripping a throw as hard as you can dead on the money.
Game 11 vs Tennessee; At the same time, his intermediate passing game failed to progress as well as his downfield attack both this season and for his career as a whole. Although I can’t stand the play design here, #12 is briefly open and on-schedule with the drop. He is circled by the color analyst in the replay. I have no idea what Lock was reading on this crucial 3rd down red zone play, but he ends up heaving a duck toward blanketed double coverage.
Game 12 vs Arkansas: This is a weird play from the last SEC game of his career that could be an outlier or indicative of future development potential. Lock appears to this time recognize his free play and use that information to attempt a risky touch pass (complete with unique short arm pullback release) and complete one of his prettiest TDs of the year.
Game 13 vs Oklahoma State: Lock completed a very tough, strong-armed play to keep the bowl game alive while taking a major hit in the process. Gritty plays were not necessarily a strength during his career at Missouri but are undoubtedly necessary at the next level. Pro evaluators may highlight this play as an indicator of potential to grow as an operator under duress in the NFL, especially considering his nearly 6’4”, 225 pound frame.
Game 13 vs Oklahoma State: …And we end where Lock’s season ended. On a 4th down read-option keeper. After three consecutive run plays. After 1st and 10 inside the red zone to close a bowl game and the senior season of a 3+ year starter at QB. Roughly what I would expect his effectiveness as a runner to be in the NFL as well.