In recent years, there have been plenty of quarterbacks that have been drafted that have had to transfer. Baker Mayfield and Jalen Hurts are two great examples of this that are now starters in the NFL. This year, Feleipe Franks is the biggest name to have transferred for the same reason as both Mayfield and Hurts. After a catastrophic ankle injury in the 2019 season, Franks lost the starting job at Florida to Kyle Trask. Franks went through the transfer portal and found his new home in Arkansas. During his time there, he had his best season yet and went on to have an impressive Senior Bowl week, as well. Franks is one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the class that can be found on day three.
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Player Bio
Name: Feleipe Franks
Jersey: #13
Position: Quarterback
School: Arkansas
Class: Junior
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 234 lbs
Accuracy (8.25/10)
Franks had a steady increase in his completion percentage marks throughout his collegiate career. In his lone year at Arkansas, he played in a pass-happy offense that had the receivers spread out, which helped Franks see the field more clearly and find the matchups he liked. There were a few times a game where Franks would put enough touch on the ball to get it right into the receiver’s hands, and there were also other times when Franks overthrew a receiver that had an easy first down or touchdown.
Arm Strength (6.5/10)
A lot of throws that Franks made were in the short to intermediate areas. In the Razorback offense, Franks didn’t have to push the ball too far down the field because of open routes underneath. Whenever Franks threw deep down the field, it would either end up short by a few yards or too far. The worst part in this regard is that Franks throws a high-arcing ball that spends a lot of time in the air and floats instead of quick throws. When the ball is in the air, defenders can make an easy push to get to the ball and make a play on it.
Decision Making (7.75/10)
Arkansas ran a lot of half-field reads, which made life a lot easier on Franks. With only half the field to work with and a quick passing attack, Franks didn’t have many opportunities to put the ball in harm’s way. There are a few cases where Franks could throw the ball away, and he doesn’t. There aren’t many discrepancies here. Most of his decision-making is better because it revolves around half-field reads.
Progressions (6/10)
As already said in the section above, Franks made a ton of half-field reads, which Arkansas primarily ran. It put him in a position where he didn’t have to read the whole field, and it helped him better see places on the field and matchups where his receivers could win. When Franks is in a position where he has to go through more than two progressions, he can lock onto one target in particular. He also struggles to look off safeties. In a pro system, Franks will have his work cut out for him to make an impact as a potential backup option.
Mobility (6.5/10)
Franks had spurts of mobility during his time at Arkansas. The Razorbacks used a lot of zone-reads, and designed quarterback runs. Franks isn’t the quickest quarterback and won’t break off long chunks of yards, but he will fight his way through scrap to get to the first-down marker when needed.
Poise (6.25/10)
Franks had a lot of struggles with his consistency. He would go on a stretch where he looked like a potential first-round quarterback. Then he would go a drive or two where he looked sluggish and couldn’t see the field. A big issue in this regard is that Franks struggles against better competition and looks great against lower-level competition.
Pocket Awareness (6.25/10)
When Franks needs to get rid of the ball, he doesn’t. He gets happy feet in the pocket and will try to escape, which only gets him into more trouble. Franks does a good job of keeping his eyes down the field and looking for an open receiver, but when he senses any pressure, he seemingly panics.
Mechanics (8/10)
When things are planned out and scheduled, Franks has no issues making throws from the pocket with balance. Unfortunately, when things are unscripted, he gets off-balance. It results in some wild throwing angles and potential turnovers.
Anticipation (7.75/10)
He is slightly inconsistent here, but there is a lot more good than bad. Franks puts some touch on his passes when it’s needed, and it gives the receiver time to adjust and fight his way for additional yardage. There were a few cases where Franks would throw a pass a bit too late, and it would give cornerbacks time to make a break on the ball to almost intercept it and break up the pass.
Competitive Toughness (5/5)
Franks lost his starting job due to an injury and had to transfer. He came to his new school and immediately found a role and had the best season of his career. Franks had a great Senior Bowl week when all the talk was about Mac Jones, Trask, Jamie Newman, and nobody was talking about him. With a fire lit under him, Franks plays at his best.
Injury (3.25/5)
His ankle injury that ended his 2019 campaign is a scary one. He seems to be fully recovered, but that injury in itself is enough for some concern.
Player Summary
Franks is a solid developmental option that can be found on day three of the draft. He isn’t spectacular at anything in particular. His accuracy, decision-making, and determination are some of his best attributes. Franks may struggle early in training camp and preseason, where he will need to read the whole field instead of the half field reads that Arkansas had him doing during the 2020 season. If you were to survey ten scouts on Draft Twitter if they would rather have Trask in the third round or Franks in the fifth, most of them will say Franks. He is the quarterback that can develop the most and potentially find his way into a potential bridge quarterback if all goes well in his development to a pro scheme.
Final Grade (71.5/100): Late Fifth Round
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