NFL Draft film room: The highs and lows of Carson Beck

With the Raiders sliding in the NFL Draft order, the Georgia quarterback could be an option

With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft heading into the final week of the regular season, the Raiders have to at least do their homework on the third-best quarterback options in the 2025 draft class.

The QB3 conversation is currently up for debate and Georgia’s Carson Beck, who recently declared for the NFL via his Instagram account, is a contender for that honor. So, what could Beck potentially bring to Las Vegas?

Stats

It’s no secret that the former Bulldog regressed from 2023 to 2024, and his numbers prove that.

Beck’s completion percentage went down about 7.5 points (72.2 percent to 64.6 percent) and Pro Football Focus charted him with a 10-point dip in passing grade (90.8 to 80.2). A big reason for the latter is he threw twice as many interceptions this year (six to 12) and PFF credited him with a similar increase in ‘turnover-worthy plays’ (11 to 20).

However, what makes the 22-year-old a noteworthy draft prospect is he has an impressive arm. Beck ranked second in the SEC with 23 “big-time throws” and threw four more touchdowns this season compared to last season with 28.

Also, part of the reason why his numbers were down this fall is he was missing pass-catchers Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. For example, PFF credited Georgia’s receivers with dropping 30 of Beck’s passes at a 9.4 percent clip, up from 18 and 5.6 percent the year before. So, his adjusted completion percentage rate was only a 5.5 percent decrease (80.6 to 75.1).

Film

While the statistics are great, let’s dive into the tape and actually see what the Georiga product can bring to the table.

To end on a high note, we’ll start with the negative throws and finish with the positive ones.

Beck is a pocket passer in that he doesn’t throw well on the run. What’s frustrating about that is he’ll have opportunities to set his feet and make a good throw, but opts to let it rip on the move instead.

The first clip is a good example of how his accuracy drops off. With Alabama playing Cover 3 and sail concept (post route by the outside receiver after the switch release and out route from the inside receiver) from Georgia, No. 86 is open toward the sideline. However, Beck puts it too far in front of the receiver which allows the corner to pass off the post route and nearly make an interception.

In the second play, Beck buys some time with the pump fake but doesn’t get his feet set enough to hit the wide-open receiver for a touchdown. We’ll see this later, he has plenty of arm strength to make that throw when his feet are in the ground.

The last one is another opportunity where he can set his feet since there is no pressure coming. But he doesn’t and that impacts his arm strength, forcing the pass-catcher to wait on the ball and inviting the defender back into the play for a PBU.

Beck struggles to read the field in general (more on that later), and he had a tough time against linebackers in coverage this season.

He doesn’t put nearly enough touch on the ball in that first play against Alabama, which suggests he didn’t see the backer. In the second one, he stares down a slant which makes it an easy read for the low-hole defender in Cover 1 to get in the passing lane and break on the ball.

The other issue Beck has is forcing throws as the target in the Kentucky game was never open. What’s frustrating about that one is he scans the field initially—or appears to—and should see that no defender is over the ball/center. That’s a good indication that the linebacker who ends up making a play on the ball is cheating to the three-receiver side of the formation.

Malachi Moore (No. 13 from Alabama and top safety prospect) does make a nice play in the first clip above, to give Moore some credit. But the decision by Beck is also questionable as the slot fade route was never open.

The second rep will make coaches pull their hair out.

First, there’s no pressure when the quarterback decides to scramble. Then, the seam route is wide open versus a two-high coverage, and the wideout at the bottom of the screen creates some separation on the go-route. Finally, the checkdown is an option as well, especially on first down. Instead, Beck holds onto the ball and runs into a strip-sack.

The next rep is similar where Oscar Delp (No. 4) is open in the middle of the field. Beck appears to be looking at him but turns that down and throws it to running back on the checkdown. Granted, the back does pick up the first down, but this should have been an explosive play to at least get into scoring position.

Moving on to the positive reps.

Part of what makes Beck’s struggles against linebackers frustrating is that when he does see them, he can make some nice layered throws with good velocity.

The first throw is the least impressive of the bunch as it’s to an open receiver, but the zip on his pass is pretty clear. The second one was thrown with good anticipation and got to the receiver before the safety could drive on the route.

What’s impressive about the first clip against Kentucky is the route isn’t good as the receiver drifts out of the break and into the safety. However, the throw beats the defensive back to pick up a first down on second and forever. The last throw above also has good ball placement to keep it away from the cloud corner and lead to another explosive play.

Finally, the deep ball is Beck’s bread and butter. It’s what made him a potential first-round pick heading into this season and is probably his biggest competitive advantage as a quarterback prospect.

His arm talent is obvious as a lot of these throws are made from the far hash to outside of the numbers as well as being deep down the field. Also, Beck has good ball placement on his vertical passes. He can certainly stretch a defense when given a clean pocket.

But the big question is, does this drop off after tearing and having surgery on his UCL? That’s part of the gamble with Beck as his best trait could diminish.