NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Oklahoma QB John Mateer

John Mateer is an exciting playmaking quarterback with good physical tools, but lacks the consistency and accuracy to be viewed as a high 1st-round pick right now. 

His combination of arm talent, mobility, and ability to keep plays alive will be enticing for NFL scouts and decision makers. Mateer is a raw passer who needs refinement before being given the keys to an NFL franchise.

Mateer began his career at Washington State before transferring to Oklahoma. He is a former 3-star recruit in the 2022 class but was bumped to a 4-star transfer recruit.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. Previously, he spent three years as a senior draft analyst for The Draft Network, while evaluating draft prospects as the founder of The Scouting Room. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Where He Wins

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- Mateer is equipped with a good arm. His passes arrive with power and velocity, fitting into more difficult windows. He takes advantage of zone defenses by replacing spot drops with the football to his target. He possesses a snappy side-armed throwing motion. He can effectively attack any coverage shown and hits the hole shot versus cover-two.

- The Sooners' QB1 has multiple arm angles/slots to deliver the football. He effectively drops his arm slot to whip throws around defenders in the pocket.

- The former Cougar transfer excels at extending plays and using his legs as an equalizer. He breaks the pocket well to create extra opportunities down the field in the passing game. Mateer throws the ball well on the move outside of the pocket.

- Mateer is a tough athlete and doesn't mind putting his body on the line. He runs with agility, forcing missed tackles and changing directions to get into the open field. In the red zone, he forces the defense to play 11-on-11 football by running the ball.

- Mateer flashes the play strength to wrestle free from would-be sacks in the pocket. He rips through and resets to throw after powering through contact.

Areas of Improvement

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- Mateer is too streaky of a passer with accuracy and ball placement. He is hit-or-miss from the pocket. This must improve if he desires to lead an NFL franchise.

- The Sooners' starter struggles with protecting the football. He plays with a borderline reckless mentality. Mateer is a gunslinger, and it shows in the decisions he makes with the football. Limiting putting the ball in harm's way is a big part of his development.

- His accuracy worsens the further down the field he throws. He is not an efficient deep ball thrower. Mateer lacks the arc and trajectory on his throws to be consistent. His passes are thrown as line drives with little touch underneath them. This creates opportunities for defenders to make a play on the ball; he leaves them short or underthrown.

- Mateer is known as a playmaker, and that breeds negative results. He chases big chunk plays and doesn't take what the defense gives him. Too many times, he passes up the checkdown and layups for easy yards. He needs to improve his situational awareness.

- While his toughness as a runner is admirable, Mateer doesn't protect his body enough. Projecting to the NFL, he cannot withstand the same level of punishment at the collegiate level.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.0 (High-Level Backup/Starter Upside — 3rd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Tanner McKee (7.0 in 2023), Carson Strong (7.0 in 2022), 7.1 (Kellen Mond in 2021)

OVERALL RANK: 105

POSITION RANK: QB9

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Baker Mayfield

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205

Workout numbers and data will be added at a later date.