Scouting report on Giants’ fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta

Every NFL team is always on the lookout for quarterbacks who can be developed into starters. At best, these players can provide continuity at the most important position for a low investment, or become a trade commodity.

That is what NFL teams have in mind when they look at Kyle Lauletta of Richmond. Though he is a senior, he is not yet a finished product, but shows an intriguing upside that suggests he could be a player in the mold of former New England Patriot and current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

As the draft process wore on, we started to get the feeling that the New York Giants were interested in the Richmond quarterback. That interest turned in to a pick to a draft choice in the fourth round, and the Giants have created a competition with Davis Webb behind Eli Manning.

Measurables

Pros

• Good size and frame for the position.
• Quick, compact release.
• Generally accurate out to intermediate passes.
• Processes information very quickly.
• Good athlete. Capable of extending plays or running with the ball.
• Has worked under center and in some Pro Style concepts

Cons

• Throws have a low, flat trajectory and he is prone to batted passes.
• Arm strength is a question. Sometimes seems to labor to generate velocity.
• Occasionally locks on to and stares down receivers.
• Can be inconsistent and wild on deep passes, tending toward over-throws.
• Played against FCS competition.
• Pocket awareness is a question. Too often doesn’t feel the rush coming.

Prospect Video

What They’re Saying

Analysis: Many lauded Lauletta for his work throughout the week, and while he did improve as the week went on, he also had plenty of uncomfortable moments. He showed enough arm to make all the throws and avoided big mistakes despite some uneven accuracy and troubles under center, but he shouldn’t be a draft consideration before the late rounds.

-Tony Pauline (DraftAnalyst)

Does He Fit The Giants?

Kyle Lauletta’s is a name that has been generating some buzz around draft circles for a couple months now, but the nation at large only just started to get a look at him at the 2018 Senior Bowl. He has drawn comparisons to former FCS sensation, and current San Francsisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Lauletta has a similarly lightning-quick release, is accurate on most throws, but he struggles on longer throws and tends to over-throw his receivers. He also has a tendency to play shorter than listed, which combined with his flat trajectory leads to too many batted balls and interceptions (35 in the last three years).

His is a solid athlete and would likely be a good fit in a “West Coast Offense”-based scheme that would emphasize his quick processing and release, wouldn’t ask him to stretch the field often, and would let him use his legs to get outside of the pocket. Lauletta isn’t yet a finished product, but shows flashes of potential which suggest that he could be a good developmental pick. It was thought that he might go as high as the second day of the draft, but the Giants were able to wait until the fourth round to select him.

The competition between Lauletta and Davis Webb should be a fascinating one, as the two should push each other’s weaknesses.