Michael Pratt NFL Draft 2024: Combine Results, Scouting Report For Tulane QB

NFL Transition:

My guess is Pratt will be seen differently by different evaluators and coaches once a careful examination of his Tulane career is finished. What stands out about Pratt is there is nothing that stands out at a higher level physically or athletically.

He does not possess any special physical trait you can hang your hat on and say that part of his game will definitely translate effectively to the NFL as a quality starting QB. Pratt has what best could be described as a slightly better-than-average arm regarding strength and velocity, and his ball placement was too often an issue on routine throws that must be made at the next level.

He is a good athlete, who can run and pick up a first down once in a while, but he is not a play-creator or a playmaker with his legs. Pratt had several traits to like, including his toughness in the pocket with the willingness to stand and deliver knowing he would take a shot. He also showed flashes of making tough zone coverage throws that demanded precise timing and anticipation.

Pratt clearly showed a subtle, refined sense of timing and anticipation with good eyes and vision regarding safety structure and rotation. That trait raises the level of quarterback play in the NFL. Pratt will likely be seen as anywhere from a second-round draft pick to a fifth-round draft pick based on one’s evaluation of his traits

If you see Pratt as a second-round pick, you see him as a quality starting quarterback at some point relatively early in his career.

OTHER NOTES:

Pratt came out of South Florida as a 3-star prospect and earned the starting job at Tulane as a true freshman. He was a four-year starter with 44 total starts.

In 2021, Pratt ran a highly schemed shotgun offense that featured multiple backfield actions to minimize DL pass rush and impact second and, at times, third-level defenders. Pratt has some experience with conventional play action passes under center, turning his back to the defense (post-cross combination versus East Carolina).

Pratt took a physical beating against Oklahoma in 2021 but never lost his composure in the pocket. He stayed with his fundamental technique and made throws in the third and fourth quarters.

Tulane's 2022 pass game featured a good percentage of straight drop passes out of the shotgun. Tulane featured shot plays with defined reads for Pratt. Overall, Tulane's pass game in 2022 featured basic concepts and well-designed schemes that did a good job breaking down zone coverage.

Pratt's arm strength was better on his 2022 tape than on 2021 tape. He threw with a little more juice and velocity, especially on intermediate throws between the numbers.

In 2023, his 26-yard TD pass to Yulkeith Brown vs. Rice was a big-time throw, knowing he would take a shot front side. He had to throw early to air, and he put the ball right on Brown for the deep over. The Chris Brazzell 26-yarder vs. Tulsa is an excellent anticipation window throw vs. zone coverage. It’s the kind of throw you want to see Pratt make as you project and transition him to the NFL.

In the Florida Atlantic game, Pratt’s arm looked livelier, and the ball came out with more juice and natural velocity.