NFL Draft 2017 Scouting Report - QB Davis Webb, Cal

Sep 25, 2026

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NFL Draft 2017 scouting analysis on quarterback Davis Webb of Cal, covering a rapid college rise from early starts at Texas Tech to a productive transfer season and standout passing output. The report evaluates pocket mechanics, decision-making, quick release, leadership traits, and readiness for pro offenses built around high-tempo passing. It also discusses injury history and a key constraint: limited receiver options at Cal, which may have suppressed his ceiling and affected his overall prospect perception.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

NFL Draft Scouting Overview

College timeline and performance

Mechanics, decision-making, and readiness

Strengths and concerns

NFL Draft 2017 Scouting Report: QB Davis Webb, Cal *Our QB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available. What a strange college journey for Davis Webb. As a true freshman (2013) at Texas Tech, right before the season starts, he gets sick and loses 40 pounds (from 200+ pounds down to 160+ pounds) . Herecovers quickly. He's expected to be the backup to walk-on starter Baker Mayfield in 2013, but immediately sees playing time in the first few games. Five games into the season for the 5-0 Red Raiders, he gets his first start versus Iowa State – he throws 56 times for 415 yards and 3 TDs in the 'Air Raid' offense, and the team jumps to a 6-0 record. The following week he goes for 462 yards and 2 TDsin a win over West Virginia…now, 7-0. He then loses his next 3 games, gets banged up in third loss and misses a few games. He returns for their bowl game, starts, and drops 403 yards and Arizona State with 4 TD/0 INT. An amazing run for a true freshman. Of course, Webb becomes the 'it' young QB in college football heading into 2014. He forced Baker Mayfield to transfer to Oklahoma. Webb's rolling again – he throws 22 TD passes in his first 7 games but gets hurt (ankle injury) in Tech's eight game and is out for the rest of the season – ankle and a shoulder injury. True freshman, and baseball star prospect (and son of a former MLB pitcher) Patrick Mahomes takes over and racks big numbers as well. 2015 is a full-fledged QB battle between Webb and Mahomes. Texas Tech commits to Mahomes. Webb is his backup for the season…and dramatic fall from young star and Heisman hopeful to backup QB. Webb transfers to Cal for his 2016 season. In 2016, for Cal, Webb produces huge numbers again – he throws for 3.1 TDs per game with 10 games of 300+ yards passing, six games with 390+ yards passing, and three 440+ yard passing games including a 522-yard performance against San Diego State. Everyone is left to wonder? Is Davis Webb another Texas Tech stat compiler (and similar pass-game mindset at Cal) who will fail converting to the next level or is he a legit NFL quarterback prospect? The guy couldn’t even hold his job at Texas Tech, so how good could he be? He's pretty darn good. I get why Texas Tech made their decision to roll with Mahomes. They were going to lose one of them to transfer, and Texas Tech would rack up big offensive numbers with most any decent QB. They chose the physically bigger athlete with less injury concerns, more eligibility and bigger family name (my suspicion) . No major sleight to Webb, but Mahomes was maybe the smarter (coin-flip) overall choice for TTU…but not a smack to Webb's ability. If you promised me a full healthy career at the pro level, I'd take Webb over Mahomes without batting an eye. Both are legit NFL prospects, but Webb is the obviously more astute, the more natural player. Webb has near perfect pocket mechanics and is completely in control of the game/the whole field at all times. He doesn’t get rattled and he knows how to run his offense. He's not perfect. I've seen him make some dumb/forced throws, but by and large he is great decision-maker and leader of an offense. Webb's throwing mechanics are excellent. He had a rapid release and moves his body into his throws. He has more touch/instinct than most QB prospects in this draft or of the past few. He's a great 'new era' quarterback. He gets rid of the ball quickly and used to running an up-tempo offense and just playing chess with the defense. Webb reminds me a little of Marcus Mariota and Dak Prescott…except Webb is not much of a running threat. Webb makes fast decisions and throws quickly and accurately in the passing game…if given a little time and the weapons. That's the one thing that sticks out in my notes – his weapons at Cal. Webb had terrific output and tape, but his output could have much greater if he had

FAQs

How did Davis Webb’s college career progress before entering the draft?

Webb started early as a freshman at Texas Tech after an initial setback from illness, then returned from injuries to produce in bowl play. He later transferred to Cal in 2016 and posted large passing-yard and touchdown totals.

What are the main strengths highlighted in the scouting notes?

The notes emphasize near-perfect pocket mechanics, rapid release, calm decision-making, and strong command of the whole field. It also credits repetition in pass-heavy systems for pro readiness and leadership qualities.

What concerns or limitations are mentioned about Webb’s NFL outlook?

The report points to a mild injury history and suggests his production at Cal could have been even greater with better receiver availability. It also notes he is not viewed as a significant running threat.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Fans