The top end of the Packers’ quarterback depth chart is set. As of last night, we can probably say the same about the bottom end, too.
In action against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kyle McCord looked much more game-ready than fellow low-end quarterback Kyron Drones, whose only real selling point is his athleticism.
McCord completed 12 of 16 passes for 105 yards on the night. He failed to throw a touchdown and took two sacks, but otherwise avoided any catastrophic errors across his 32 snaps. While he clearly
doesn’t have a big arm, McCord showed enough arm strength to get the job done last night, and just as importantly, he maintained a good degree of composure while the Packers’ deep backups on the offensive line surrendered pressure after pressure.
The same can’t be said for Drones, who had quite an, um, adventurous six snaps at quarterback. He threw incomplete on his one passing attempt and took three sacks, including one where he ran backwards for 17 yards, bumping the Packers back from their own 22 to their own five-yard line. On another sack, Drones appeared to get spooked when he faced pressure on what looked to be a screen pass.
On the one hand, that’s understandable — I can’t say that I’d do anything other than panic if I saw a trio of NFL-sized defensive linemen bearing down on me with ill intent. On the other, that’s part of the gig, man! And you know they’re coming free, because it’s a screen play!
Drones was never exactly a polished NFL prospect. Running an option and RPO-heavy scheme at Virginia Tech, Drones only completed a shade over 58% of his career passes, never showing the kind of touch that would indicate he could develop into an NFL-caliber passer. He was certainly a threat with his legs, rushing for more than 1,800 yards as a Hokie, but the days where a quarterback can make it in the NFL as a runner alone are almost a century past.
The thinking on a prospect like Drones is that you keep him around on the practice squad to help you prepare for mobile quarterbacks throughout the year. In a division with Caleb Williams and Kyler Murray, that’s certainly something that could interest the Packers.
But based on last night (and what we know about the two players in general), this is a situation where the Packers would probably need to justify keeping both McCord and Drones as they fill out their roster. That’s easier than ever on a 16-man practice squad, but is it worth it?
I’d argue probably not. Better to keep McCord and keep up the search for a fleet-footed quarterback that can give you anything at all as a passer. If there ever was a race for the third-string quarterback spot, it’s over now.
