NFL Draft 2018: Who is Kyle Lauletta? | Scouting reports, highlights of Giants new QB

Posted April 28, 2018 at 12:46 PM | Updated April 28, 2018 at 01:01 PM

By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

EAST RUTHERFORD -- The Giants chose Richmond Spiders quarterback Kyle Lauretta in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday, with the No. 108 overall pick.

Lauletta walks into a competition with 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb, who did not take a single snap as a third-round rookie quarterback under former head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese last season, and seems to fit the profile of the type of quarterback GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur prefer.

"I fancy guys that are tall," Shurmur said during minicamp this week. "You can see. Some of us are challenged in terms of height, so even in a setting like this, you're trying to find sightlines. It's no different for a quarterback when he is behind a very tall offensive line. All else being equal, as long as all the skillsets are equal or maybe even a little better than equal, guys that can see have a chance to be very good."

Here's a scouting report roundup and highlights of the Giants' newest quarterback, who passed for 10,465 yards with 73 touchdowns and 35 interceptions on the way to posting a passer rating of 153.2 in three seasons as a starter:

Kyle Lauletta

Patrick Semansky

Lauletta has decent accuracy and mechanics to work with, but his lack of NFL arm strength will limit the number of teams who are willing to consider him. Lauletta's interceptions come due to arm issues rather than decision-making and that may not be correctable in the pros due to the increase in play speed that he will see in NFL secondaries.

POSITIVES

—His natural athleticism jumps off the tape. He is able to move in the pocket while keeping his feet balanced and eyes downfield with great poise.

—With his quick delivery and adequate throwing motion, Lauletta can make the short to intermediate throws and shows a soft touch up the seam.

—Spins the ball with a tight spiral and velocity to all levels.

—While some small-school quarterbacks struggle with the pressure of the Senior Bowl, he proved he was up to the challenge.

—Uber-productive in college, Lauletta will look to be a Day 3 developmental prospect with future starter potential.

NEGATIVES

—Will have to prove he was more than a system quarterback with gaudy numbers.

—The Richmond spread offense doesn't make for an easy transition to the NFL.

—Lauletta will have to work on the small things: footwork drops from under center, taking snaps from under center, improving arm strength and sensing pressure in the pocket.

—He has the poise to stand tall and face the crowd, but he needs to use his quickness to escape and reset more frequently.

—Tries to win with his legs too much for the type of athlete he is.

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