Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Miami's Darian Mensah Redefine Quarterback Evaluation
The Fighting Irish and Hurricanes quarterbacks showed that accuracy and processing can outweigh raw athleticism in the 2027 draft class.
By Adriana Abebe ·
CJ Carr and Darian Mensah proved that physical tools are not the only metric that matters for future NFL quarterbacks.
The core argument is that NFL teams often overvalue arm strength and athleticism while undervaluing anticipation and decision-making. This bias leads to high picks going to players who look like Justin Herbert or Josh Allen but may lack consistency. Meanwhile, players like Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins, who lacked those flashy traits, have succeeded in the league by relying on processing and accuracy.
CJ Carr demonstrated clinical precision during his two-minute offense against Miami. He completed an 18-yard pass to Micah Gilbert to secure a 17-3 halftime lead for Notre Dame. His performance was characterized by calmness, quick release, and accurate throws that utilized protection schemes effectively. This style mirrors the play of Brock Purdy, who succeeds by managing the pocket rather than escaping it with speed.
Darian Mensah faced a different challenge as he settled into the game in the third quarter. He led Miami to within seven points using a back-shoulder throw, a signature move for his style. Although he threw his second interception of the season, his overall performance showed strong anticipation. He kept the game competitive despite a lack of elite receiving options after Malachi Toney left with an ankle injury.
Statistical data supports the argument that these quarterbacks are undervalued by traditional metrics. The FRED model, which compares college players to past first-round picks, gave Mensah a score of 39.4, close to the 50 threshold associated with top prospects. Carr scored 10.6, though he had less experience. This season, Mensah has completed 77.4% of his passes for 10.3 yards per attempt with 25 touchdowns and two interceptions. Carr has improved his ability to handle pressure, with his sack rate under pressure dropping from 21% in 2025 to 6.7% this year.
Both quarterbacks have addressed previous concerns about their play. Carr has reduced his reliance on risky throws, while Mensah has shown greater consistency in his footwork and decision-making. Their ability to avoid mistakes under pressure sets them apart from peers like Drew Mestemaker, who has put the ball in harm's way seven times in similar situations. This reliability is a trait that NFL evaluators should weigh more heavily than raw physical potential.
The debate is not about replacing athletic quarterbacks with cerebral ones, but about correcting the balance of evaluation. Bryce Young was taken with the top pick despite modest physical tools because his college tape was exceptional. Carr and Mensah are building similar cases by showing that processing speed and anticipation are valuable assets in themselves. The next step for NFL teams is to determine if they will draft based on proven consistency rather than projected upside.
