Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football fans spent the weekend processing the news that quarterback Kyle McCord will be heading to the NFL next season.

McCord threw for 4,779 yards in his lone season at Syracuse, a mark that led the nation and set ACC and Syracuse single-season records.

Now that McCord has decided to move on to the pros, what are his NFL prospects?

McCord sits in the Top 10 of several NFL draft quarterback rankings.

McCord has accepted an invitation to The East-West Shrine Bowl, which will be a prime chance to show off a skillset in front of all 32 NFL teams at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Jan. 30.

McCord will also likely receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, which will be held Feb. 24-March 3 in Indianapolis.

He can also work out at Syracuse football’s Pro Day, and there will be plenty of individual workouts and visits with NFL teams before the draft in Green Bay on April 24-26.

NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic answered a few questions on where McCord’s NFL strengths and weaknesses stand as the pre-draft process kicks into gear.

What is McCord’s draft range now? Where will he get picked?

In terms of range, I’ve heard feedback anywhere from the third-round to the sixth-round from NFL scouts. Area scouts have submitted their grades and other members of the front office are currently cross-checking. But once coaches, especially offensive coordinators, get involved, they will have a strong say (for most teams) on how they stack the quarterbacks on the board. How McCord connects with coaches during the interview process will be a key part in determining where he is ultimately drafted.

What does he need to show teams in the pre-draft process for his stock to rise?

For quarterbacks, the pre-draft process is all about interviews and board work. Being able to walk into a room full of NFL coaches and scouts and explain concepts and the thought process with different scenarios. McCord is a sharp guy and should excel in this time of setting. And during all-star games, combine and workouts, he just needs to be consistent. He has the talent to help himself throughout the process.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of McCord’s NFL resume right now?

His strengths are his poise, anticipation and accuracy from the pocket. He isn’t shy throwing to spots before receivers are out of their breaks or looking for the ball. He puts the ball on the correct shoulder on slants, crossers, fades and outs and you can tell that pace and placement are at a premium for him. He has a great pre-snap process to read the defense and understand where to attack.

On the other side of the coin, McCord is very average using his mobility to evade and buy time. He doesn’t have a rapid release and is guilty of staring down his target, giving defenders a beat on where to drive. And then just taking care of the football. His turnover-worthy decisions were much too high, especially against mediocre ACC defenses.

Would he have anything to gain from an NFL perspective if the NCAA had granted his waiver and he got to play another season at Syracuse?

Potentially. If he were able to replicate his production and success next year from this past season, but took better care of the football and cut his interception number in half, that wouldn’t go unnoticed by NFL teams. And more experience at the college level is extremely beneficial before making that NFL jump. Look at the immediate success Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels had this past season as rookies. What is the common thread there? Both were five-year starters in college.

Contact Brent Axe: Email | X | BlueSky

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