Hawks big splash at QB!

[D-train]

Went from many thinking they would take one at 5th over all to one UDFA....

The quarterback is Holton Ahlers of East Carolina, where he started 50 games for the Pirates.

Great size, great stats! Good looking kid!

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ers-1.html

[Cascade Kid]

That's great news! I had him in my mock stack as a UDFA. Great pick up!

[D-train]

That's great news! I had him in my mock stack as a UDFA. Great pick up!

Why wasn't he drafted? 67% completion rate, great size and 28/5 TD/INT. Small school? But Josh Allen was also small school.

[D-train]

Pauline:

Holton Ahlers, QB
Strengths: Productive four-year starter coming off a career campaign in 2022. Effective with ball fakes, patient in the pocket, and takes a big hit in order to get the throw away. Elusive enough to scramble away from defenders, gets outside the pocket to avoid the rush, and keeps his eyes downfield. Quickly locates the underneath receiver or safety-valve outlet.

Spreads the ball around to all his targets, is always in control of the situation, and throws with an over-the-top delivery. Relatively accurate, doesn’t have receivers working hard to make the reception, and displays a sense of timing on throws. Goes through progressions and looks off the primary receiver. Has a solid arm and puts speed on throws. Senses the rush and steps up to avoid defenders.

Weaknesses: Has an elongated delivery that slows his release. Not a quarterback you’ll use on designed runs. Protected the ball better last season but has thrown a lot of interceptions in the past.

Overall: Despite entering the season with more than 10,000 yards passing, Ahlers was considered a street free agent by scouts. He showed significant improvement last year, throwing for more than 3,700 yards, hitting on 28 touchdown passes, and completing 67% of his throws. He has pocket-passer size and is best in the short and intermediate game. Though he won’t be drafted, I fully expect Ahlers to challenge for a No. 3 QB spot on a roster next summer.

[D-train]

Wow, sounds like A LOT more good than bad. I wonder if he has a shot to beat Lock out????

[D-train]

Lefty! What do you guys think of his throwing motion?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFlG-EyDrpI

[SeattleAddict]

Lefty! What do you guys think of his throwing motion?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFlG-EyDrpI

Better than Richardson's.

Watching the highlights I had flashbacks to back in the day playing NCAA 2004. I played dynasty mode with East Carolina because it was the worst program in the country (well, one of a handful - I remember using Buffalo and some other team, too), and it was fun taking a shitty team to the national chamnpionship.

[D-train]

I love guys that the scouts hate that do nothing but produce

[Cascade Kid]

That's great news! I had him in my mock stack as a UDFA. Great pick up!

Why wasn't he drafted? 67% completion rate, great size and 28/5 TD/INT. Small school? But Josh Allen was also small school.

He throws with a ton of anticipation, maybe just as much or more than Bryce Young, believe it or not. He is very good at ball placement in tight windows. Throws with mulitple arm angles. I think these traits are some of the most important QB traits to have, and this guy is checking the elite level boxes on all three.

But he isn't checking the elite level boxes are in areas where I think most NFL coaches prioritize most of their evaluation in this evolving QB climate. He's not an eye popping athlete and he isn't necessarily the creator you can see out of Allen or even Purdy for that matter. He is still very good at both, but likely not enough to jump of the film for most evaluators. He just creates with his anticipation and quick decisions without needing to let it all bake in the oven for a long time. And yes, of course, small school and all.

I'll go out on a limb and say, I think there's a high probability Ahlers displaces Lock in camp. His level of anticipation is very special and he is going to put some balls on the WRs in camp and impress a lot of people. I think he's a stellar find IMO.

[Sexymarinersfan]

That's great news! I had him in my mock stack as a UDFA. Great pick up!

My buddies and him were also talking about getting this kid yesterday sometime in the 6th. I'm so happy we got him. I had every single player except Mike MO on my big board, and even Kenny McIntosh rated higher than Charbonnet until his combine. I even had Reed going in the 4th round. The Hawks get an A+ in this draft.

Bucky Brooks posted 'the Seahawks won this draft'!