Cody Kessler NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Browns Rookie

POSITIVES

A 22-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Cody Kessler started three years at USC and threw for 10,339 yards.

Kessler isn't a top-tier athlete, but he moves well within the pocket and can slide his feet to evade rushers.

An accurate quarterback in a pro-style offense, Kessler holds the Trojans record for career completion percentage (67.5) and has torched opponents on underneath routes. He's a smart, conservative passer who never threw more than seven interceptions in a season.

Kessler's toughness was put to the test behind a bad offensive line, but he never backed down. He's poised in the pocket when pressure is in his face and shows touch and accuracy when forced to make hurried throws.

Despite having average arm strength, Kessler tosses a pretty deep ball and shows good touch on passes down the field. USC receivers scored seven touchdowns on deep throws over 40 yards thanks to his ability to lead them into daylight over the top.

NEGATIVES

Kessler won't impress you on the hoof. He's a shorter quarterback with average arm strength and slightly above-average movement skills. A lack of size and arm strength already puts him behind his peers as a prospect.

On film, Kessler doesn't generate the heat on passes needed to thread the needle. Many of his attempts outside the hash fail to travel on a line and instead loop into receivers' hands. Perhaps the biggest red flag is his tendency to be late throwing over the middle. Of Kessler's seven interceptions, six of them were on throws down the middle of the field. He simply lacks the strength and accuracy to connect when the field gets crowded.

As a mover inside the pocket, Kessler is agile but gets happy feet and will throw off-balance and from uncoordinated positions because he wants to get the pass out fast. He doesn't have the quick wrist to get the ball out of his hand well on the move despite having huge hands.

Kessler was a chain-mover at USC and took what defenses gave him. The "system quarterback" label will be applied to him by NFL teams.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 220 lbs.

40 Time: 4.89s

Hand Size: 10⅞"

3-Cone: 7.32s

PRO COMPARISON: Aaron Murray, Kansas City Chiefs
FINAL GRADE: 5.70/9.00 (Round 5—Backup Caliber)