Seahawks 2021 draft target: Quarterback Kellen Mond
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks have been fortunate to have Russell Wilson stay so healthy. But Seattle needs to start developing Wilson’s long-term backup. Either that or keep paying re-tread backup veterans that are in the Seattle system for a year or two before moving on. Seattle needs to draft and develop a long-term guy and that could be Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond.
Mond was the MVP of the Reese’s Senior Bowl this past weekend after going 13 for 25 for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns and no picks. This was the end of a very good college career for Mond who started for four years for the Aggies, completed 59 percent of his passes, had a TD-to-INT ratio of 71-27 and also ran for 22 touchdowns.
Mond’s senior season was arguably his best though his overall numbers were suppressed due to a shortened season because of the effect COVID-19 had on college football as a whole. Mond’s TD-to-INT ratio was 19-3 and he completed 63.3 percent of his passes. The Aggies finished 4th in the AP to end 2020.
What Kellen Mond can do for the Seahawks
Sure, Mond has limitations but he also has good size, experience and is an intelligent quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over very much. This is good for a backup but this is also good for a quarterback that might need to play significant snaps for a majority of the season.
Russell Wilson never misses games but assuming he won’t miss any the rest of his career seems wrong. Wilson at some point is bound to miss a game or two. For Seattle to have someone behind Wilson who knows how the offensive system works and is still young and a little bit athletic and looking to prove himself is a good thing.
Mond is also still likely to be around in later rounds so Seattle doesn’t have to try to trade up to get him and may not even need to spend a round 2 pick on him. Choosing Mond in round 4 would be a good thing.
Mond’s limitations
Mond’s athleticism might be decent for college but not enough for the NFL and fast edge rushers. Mond did play in the SEC so he is used to some speed but not always NFL speed. He also only played in a system where he was in shotgun. While this might have been ideal in recent years for Seattle, new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron might not always want Wilson, or whoever backs him up, in shotgun. Mond also needs to work on creating plays after the designed one breaks down.